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Science
Quarter 4 – Module 1:
Different Types of Soil
Science – Grade 4
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 4 – Module 1: Different Types of Soil
First Edition, 2021

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 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you master
the nature of Biology. The scope of this module permits it to be used in many different
learning situations. The language used recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of
students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard sequence of the course. But
the order in which you read them can be changed to correspond with the textbook you
are now using.

The module is divided into two lessons, namely:

• Lesson 1 – Soil: Its Types and Characteristics
• Lesson 2 – Soil Layers
After going through this module, you are expected to:
1. Define what is soil
2. Identify the different types of soil based on their physical characteristics
3. Compare and contrast the characteristics of different types of soil
4. Identify the different layers of soil

What I Know

Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of
paper.
1. How many types of soil are there?
A. 2 B. 3 C. 4 D. 5
2. How do soil types differ?
I - Texture II - Color III - Odor IV - Water holding capacity

A. I and II C. I,II,IV
B. III, IV D. I,II,III,IV
3. Which type is characterized as having the finest particles that holds greater amount of
water?
A. Loam B. Clay C. Sand D. Silt
4. I Which type of soil has loose particles?
A. Clay B. Loam C. Silt D. Sand
5. Which type of soil contains large amount of humus?
A. Loam B. Silt C. Sand D. Clay
6. Which best describes humus?
A. A mixture of decayed plants and animals that forms part of the loam soil.
B. A mixture of loam and sand
C. A mixture of sand and clay
D. A mixture of clay and silt.
7. Which type of soil is good in making pots and figurines?
A. Silt B. Sand C. Clay D. Loam
8. Which type of soil is the best for planting?
A. Clay B. Sand C. Loam D. Silt
9. Which type of soil is good for plants that do not need much water?
A. Loam B. Silt C. Clay D. Sand
10. A person who studies soil is called ______________.
A. Pedologist C. Meteorologist
B. Geologist D. Environmentalist

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 Lesson
Soil: Its Types and
1 Characteristics

Soil is the loose materials that covers most of the land part of the earth. Look all
around you. Soil is the base for farms, gardens, fields, forest, park, houses and
buildings. You find plants, animals, and other organisms on the soil.

The study of soils in their natural environment is called pedology. A scientist who
studies soil is known as pedologist.

What’s In
You have learned soil when you were in Grade Three. Can you still remember the
things you have learned about soil? Can you cite some important uses of soil?
Soil provides plants with foothold for their roots and holds the necessary nutrients for plants to grow;
1. _______________________________________________________
it filters the rainwater and regulates the discharge of excess rainwater, preventing flooding;
2. _______________________________________________________
it is capable of storing large amounts of organic carbon;
3. _______________________________________________________
4. it buffers against pollutants, thus protecting groundwater quality
_______________________________________________________
5. _______________________________________________________
it provides Man with some essential construction and manufacturing materials

What’s New
Soil: Its Types and Characteristics
Do you wonder what makes up the soil?
Soil is made up of tiny particles of rocks, organic matter, water and some gases
found on the uppermost layer. Organic matter in soil is composed of decayed plants
and animals and their waste product.
Soil is a very important natural resource on
earth. It has four important functions:
• As a medium of for plant growth
• As a means of water storage, supply
and purification NRCS Soil Health https://www.flickr.com/photos/87743206@N04/
• As a modifier of Earth’s atmosphere
• As habitat for organism
Some types soil are good for planting while others are not. The presence of vegetative
plants in a place is an evidence of a good quality of soil in an area or locality.

What is It

As stated earlier, soil is a loose material found on the earth’s surface. It is made up of
particles that differ in size. Because of this, soil is often described by its texture.
There are three basic types of soil according to texture: clay, loam and sand. The
different types of soil have different physical characteristics. Each soil type differs in
color, texture, odor and its ability to hold water.

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 TYPES OF SOIL
1. CLAY SOIL – It is made up of a very
fine particles of rocks. It has the finest
texture. Clay soil particles are compact
or tightly packed together with no or
little air space. This type of soil
becomes very sticky when wet and can
become as hard as rock during dry,
warm weather. Clay soil holds so much
water. It takes water slowly. It also
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/9KnNnuAhSZw/Tbq_3rWmcjI/AAAAAAAAAMA/drS
drains and dry-out slowly. Clay soil CrmwW07c/s1600/SoilTypes1.jpg

comes in many colors: red, yellow,

bluish gray or almost black.

By Krish Dulal - Own work, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28825994

Clay soil when dry Clay soil when wet

=/Clay soil is a type of soil used in making pots, jars, and figurines.

http://ideasymphony.blogspot.com/2014/02/pottery-field-trip.html
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Clay_pots_in_punjab_pakistan.JPG

2. LOAM SOIL
Loam soil is composed of the right
mixture of clay, sand and silt. It
contains large amount of humus from
decayed plants and animals. It has
fine particles and feels soft, moist and
rich. It is considered to be the best
and most ideal soil for gardening and
for agricultural uses because it
retains nutrients well and holds
enough water and oxygen which are
http://en.permaculturescience.org/english-pages/3-
needed for plant growth. earth-care/soil/phisics-of-soils

By Thomask0 - Own wor

By Photo by CEphoto, Uwe Aranas https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3812
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5200
7476
3 9441
3. SANDY SOIL – This type of soil has a coarse
texture. It can be light or dark in color. It is
composed of loose rock materials that has
dry and gritty touch. There are a lot of spaces
between sand particles making this soil easy
to dig. This type of soil cannot hold water
well. It absorbs water very fast, and also
drains and dry-out quickly because water
easily passes through between the soil
particles. With this, plants do not get the User:Amada44
opportunity of using the nutrients and water, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/03/Sand_003.jpg

as they are speedily carried away by the run

off. This makes sandy soil not good for growing plants.

However, some plants and trees can grow and live in this type of soil. They are mostly
those plants that do not need much water in order to live.

What’s More color

___________

Activity 1 – There are different types of soil. texture

____________
How do
soil types odor
__________
differ?
This soil types have different physical
characteristics. Now, I want you to write the
differences of the various soil types on the
ability to
graphic organizer provided below. hold water
____________

Activity 2 – You have learned about the different types of soil. Name the type of
soil as shown below. Write your answer on the space provided.

http://pngimg.com/download/72581 https://pngimg.com/download/37246 http://www.pngall.com/?p=29578

Loam
_______________________________
Sand
______________________________ Clay
____________________________

Activity 3 – You have learned about the different types of soil. This time, I want
you to describe each soil type based on their physical characteristics. Write your
answer on the table list provided.

Clay Loam Sand

fine particles
• ______ darker color
• ______ coarse
• ______
texture, loose
from rocks with humus
rock materials

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 What I Have Learned
1. Soil is a mixture of tiny particles of rocks and organic matter. It also contains
water and gases which are found mostly in the uppermost layer.
2. Humus is an organic matter in soil derived from decayed plants and animals.
The dark color of the soil is an indication of the presence of humus.
3. Soil is a very important natural resource. It has four main functions –
➢ serves as a medium for plant growth
➢ serves as water storage, supply and purification
➢ serves as modifier of Earth’s Atmosphere

Types of Soil
➢ serves as habitat for organism Clay
4. There are three types of soil namely – clay, loam and Sand
sand. The different soil types have different physical Loam
characteristics. They differ in color, texture, odor and
water retention or holding capacity.
5. Clay is a type of soil that has the finest texture. It comes is many colors like red,
yellow, bluish gray and black. Clay soil particles are compact or tightly packed.
It absorbs water slowly and also dry out slowly. It holds so much water. It
becomes very sticky when wet and very hard when dry. This type of soil is used
in making pots, jars and figurines.
6. Loam soil contains the right mixture of clay, sand and silt. It has a fine texture.
It feels soft, moist and rich. It contains large amount of humus. It holds enough
amount of water. This type of soil is the best for gardening.
7. Sand is a type of soil that has coarse texture. It is composed of loose rock
particles. It is easy to dig. It absorbs water very fast and also dry out quickly
because sand has a lot of spaces between the particles. This type of soil cannot
hold water well. It is used in making sandpaper and glasses.

What I Can Do

Upon learning the different types of soil, select the best type of soil for you to grow
your own vegetable plant. You are free to choose which vegetable you would want to
grow. This serves as your performance task for this lesson. Submit your plant before
the end of the quarter.

Assessment

Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a
separate sheet of paper.

1. Which statement BEST describes soil?

A. Soil is a mixture of loam, clay and sand.
B. Soil is composed of tiny rock particles.
C. Soil is composed of tiny particles of rocks, organic matter from decayed
plants and animals.
D. Soil is composed of humus.

2. What type of soil has a fine texture and holds enough amount of water?
A. Clay B. Loam C. Silt D. Sand

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 3. Which type of soil has the finest texture that becomes very sticky when
wet but becomes very hard when dry?
A. Sand B. Silt C. Loam D. Clay

4. It is the type of soil that absorbs and drain water very fast because the texture
is coarse and there are plenty of spaces between particles. What type of soil is
being described?
A. Clay b. Loam c. Sand D. Silt

5. What makes loam soil the best for and most ideal for gardening?
A. It has a fine texture that feels soft and moist.
B. It contains humus that makes the soil fertile.
C. It contains water and gases.
D. It contains tiny particles of rocks.

Lesson
Layers of Soil
2
The surface of the earth is covered with loose particles called soil. The soil is formed
from the breaking of rocks into smaller particles due to weathering. Soil is very
important in sustaining life on earth. It is needed by plants in making food that
provides life to other living things.

You have learned on Lesson 1 about the types of soil. I want you to arrange the
jumbled words to form the different types of soil. Write a description on each type of
soil.

What’s In

OILS LAYC ALOM NADS

Soil
_________ Clay
_________ Loam
__________ Sand
___________
Soil is composed of tiny particles of rocks, organic matter from decayed plants and animals.
1. __________________________________________________________
Clay is a type of soil has the finest texture that becomes very sticky when wet but becomes very hard when dry.
2. __________________________________________________________
Loam is a type of soil has a fine texture and holds enough amount of water. It contains humus that makes the soil fertile.
3. __________________________________________________________
Sand is a type of soil that absorbs and drain water very fast because the texture is coarse
4. _________________________________________________________
and there are plenty of spaces between particles.

What’s New
HOW SOIL IS FORMED?
Do you know that the soil we see today took hundreds and thousands of years to form?

Soil is formed from the gradual weathering of large mass of rocks over a very long period
of time. Weathering is the process of breaking down of rocks into smaller particles by
moving water, wind, plants, animals, and changes in temperature.

Dead animals and plants decomposed and break down into tiny pieces and mixes with
the particles of rocks to form the soil.

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 What is It

As the large mass of rock is broken, layers of different colors and textures are formed.
These layers are called horizons. They range from rich, organic upper layers to
underlying rocky layers.

Soil has four layers/horizons. These layers are the topsoil, subsoil, parent rock and
the bedrock. Each of the layers has its own characteristics and has special function to
perform.

Soil Layers

What I Have Learned

The Topsoil (A- Horizon) – It is the uppermost layer. This layer is rich with organic
materials called humus mixed with mineral particles. Humus comes from decayed
plants and animals. Soils dark color is an indication of the presence of humus. Several
kinds of plants can be seen growing on this dark-colored layer.

The Subsoil (B-Horizon) – It is located below the topsoil. It is composed of loosely

arranged rocks, sand, clay and mineral deposits that drain from the topsoil. When the
topsoil is washed, subsoil alone cannot support plant life.

The Parent Rock (C- Horizon) – It is composed of slightly broken-up bedrock. Rocks
are slowly breaking apart. It does not contain necessary nutrients and water needed for
plant growth. Plant roots do not penetrate in this layer.

The Bedrock (C – Horizon) – The unweathered rock layer. It is the lowest of the soil
layer. It is made up of undisturbed large boulders and gravel. This layer contains
materials good for constructing buildings and
making roads. No plant life can survive in
this layer. __________________

__________________ __________________

What’s More
Activity No. 1. The gradual breaking down Factors
affecting
of rock into smaller particles is called __________________
Plant
__________________

weathering. What are the factors that Growth

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contributes to the breaking down of rocks forming horizons or layers through the
years?

Activity 2: Match the description strips to the correct layer of soil being described.
Connect it using a line.

TOPSOIL This layer is composed of rocks that are slowly

D breaking apart.

SUBSOIL It is the undisturbed layer made up of large

C boulders or rocks and gravel.

PARENT It is mostly made up of sand, clay and mineral

ROCK A deposits that drain from the topsoil.

BEDROCK
B The uppermost layer of the soil that is rich in
organic matter.
1. When large mass of rock is broken, layers of different colors and textures are formed. These
layers are called horizons. The four layers of soil are topsoil, subsoil, parent rock and bedrock.
2. Humus is the rich organic matter from decayed plants and animals that is found on the
topsoil.
3. Topsoil is the uppermost layer, which contains humus from decayed plants and animals.
Below the topsoil is subsoil that mostly made up of clay, sand and mineral deposits drain from
the topsoil. When the topsoil is washed, subsoil alone cannot support plant life.
4. The parent rock is a layer that is made up of rocks that are slowly breaking apart.
5. Bedrock is the lowest layer, It is composed of unweathered large masses/boulders of rocks
and gravel.

What I Can Do Humus

Topsoil
Subsoil
Identify the layers of soil. Write your
Parent Rock
answer on the box provided.
Bedrock

Assessment
1. What do you call the unweathered layer of soil that contains large boulders of
rocks and gravel?
A. Subsoil B. parent rock C. Bedrock D. Topsoil
2. What layer is mostly made up of clay, sand and mineral deposits?
A. Topsoil B. Subsoil C. Parent rock D. Bedrock
3. The uppermost layer of the soil that is rich in organic matter called humus.
A. Bedrock B. Topsoil C. Subsoil D. Parent rock
4. It is the rich organic matter from the decayed plants and animals found in
the uppermost layer of topsoil.
A. Humus C. tiny particles of rocks
B. fertilizer D. nutrients
5. A layer composed of rocks slowly breaking apart.
A. Bedrock B. subsoil C. parent rock D. Topsoil