7

Environmental
Science
Module1 – Quarter2:
SOIL PROFILE
Environmental Science – Grade 7
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 2 – Module 1: Soil Profile
First Edition, 2020

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Published by the Department of Education

Secretary: Leonor Magtolis Briones
Undersecretary: Diosdado M. San Antonio

Development Team of the Module

Author: EVELYN A. BALMORES / EDGAR A. SADDUL

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Reviewers:
Illustrator:
Layout Artist:
Management Team: REYNANTE Z. CALIGUIRAN
ESTELA S. CABARO
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 7

Environmental
Science
Quarter 2 – Module 1:
Soil Profile
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:

Welcome to the Environmental Science – Grade 7 Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM)

Module on the Soil Profile!

This module was collaboratively designed, developed and reviewed by educators

both from public and private institutions to assist you, the teacher or facilitator in
helping the learners meet the standards set by the K to 12 Curriculum while
overcoming their personal, social, and economic constraints in schooling.

This learning resource hopes to engage the learners into guided and independent
learning activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore, this also aims to help
learners acquire the needed 21st century skills while taking into consideration
their needs and circumstances.

In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the body of
the module:

Notes to the Teacher

This contains helpful tips or strategies
that will help you in guiding the learners.

As a facilitator you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this module.
You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them to
manage their own learning. Furthermore, you are expected to encourage and assist
the learners as they do the tasks included in the module.
For the learner:

Welcome to the Environmetal Science Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) Module on

the Soil Profile!

Through our hands we may learn, create and accomplish. Hence, the hand in this
learning resource signifies that you as a learner is capable and empowered to
successfully achieve the relevant competencies and skills at your own pace and
time. Your academic success lies in your own hands!

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful opportunities
for guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You will be
enabled to process the contents of the learning resource while being an active
learner.

This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

What I Need to Know This will give you an idea of the skills or
competencies you are expected to learn in
the module.

What I Know This part includes an activity that aims to

check what you already know about the
lesson to take. If you get all the answers
correct (100%), you may decide to skip this
module.

What’s In This is a brief drill or review to help you link

the current lesson with the previous one.

What’s New In this portion, the new lesson will be

introduced to you in various ways such as a
story, a song, a poem, a problem opener, an
activity or a situation.

What is It This section provides a brief discussion of

the lesson. This aims to help you discover
and understand new concepts and skills.

What’s More This comprises activities for independent

practice to solidify your understanding and
skills of the topic. You may check the
answers to the exercises using the Answer
Key at the end of the module.

What I Have Learned This includes questions or blank

sentence/paragraph to be filled in to process
what you learned from the lesson.
 What I Can Do This section provides an activity which will
help you transfer your new knowledge or
skill into real life situations or concerns.

Assessment This is a task which aims to evaluate your

level of mastery in achieving the learning
competency.

Additional Activities In this portion, another activity will be given

to you to enrich your knowledge or skill of
the lesson learned. This also tends retention
of learned concepts.

Answer Key This contains answers to all activities in the

module.

At the end of this module you will also find:

References This is a list of all sources used in

developing this module.

The following are some reminders in using this module:

1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of
the module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer What I Know before moving on to the other activities
included in the module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your
answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through with it.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not
hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you are
not alone.

We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning
and gain deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it!
 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help
you master the Soil Profile. 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 all about the Soil Profile.

After going through this module, you are expected to describe the soil profile.

What I Know

Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer from the given choices by
writing the chosen letter on a separate sheet of paper.
1.Which soil horizon has the most fertile soil?
A.Horizon A C.Horizon C
B.Horizon B D. Horizon D
2.What is the dark,organic material that helps make soil fertile?
A. Bedrock C. Humus
B. Humus D. Topsoil
3. What are the different layers of the soil profile called?
A.Bedrock C.Profile
B. Horizons D. Topsoil
4.Which of the following is NOT an essential plant nutrient?
A. Aluminum C. Hydrogen
B. Carbon D. Nitrogen
5.How would you compare young soil to soil that has been around a long time?
A. Young soil has less organic material.
B. Young soil has more plant growth.
C. Young soil has less plant growth.
D. Young soil has more organic material.
Lesson

1 Soil Profile

In this lesson, you will learn a new but related approach to studying the
profile of the soil The layers of soil can be easily be observed by their color and size
particles. Mastering this concept will help you to appreciate the earth as our
habitat.

This module is all about the Soil profile.

After going through this module, you are expected to describe the soil profile.

What’s In

Activity 1.
Label Me
Label the layers of the soil using the words in the word bank
 Notes to the Teacher
This contains helpful tips or strategies that will help you in
guiding the learners.
 What’s New
Activity 2. Word Search

Directions: Loop the different words/processes involved in the study of the soil
profile. The words can be found horizontally, vertically, diagonally or inversely.

W E R T Y U I E R U T A N I O
A Y G O L O C E E T U I K C A
S D F S N I R E H T A E W A I
C T S L L I L O Y B N O N H L
S A R A G H P 0 C R I B O U S
E T G R I N L J E K N E I M E
Y O F E B L N T A I S O T U L
U P G N C R E V I O C E C S P
E S T I Y S U B S O I L A J I
C O B M Y E I P I G H K P E C
E I T Y S I U R O P N J M D N
F L B N O T P E I O V G O R I
E R O B H S N O Z I R O C E R
R C Y U O P T U N M I A E R P
C E R O S I O N E N R O T O N

1.__________________________
2.__________________________
3.__________________________
4.__________________________
5.__________________________
6.__________________________
7.__________________________
8.__________________________
9.__________________________
10._________________________
 What is It
Together with water and air, soil is among our most important natural
resources. We walk and play on it. We build structures on it. Soil provides
resources essential for food, clothing, and housing. We may think of soil as the
material that makes the topmost part of the crust. The thin outermost layer of the
Earth made up of soil is called the pedosphere.

Soil is formed from accumulated sediments, weathered rocks, and decaying

organic matter. It takes about two hundred to a thousand years to form and
develop a few centimeters of fertile topsoil. Minerals nutrients, air, and water
content affect soil fertility. Appropriate amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and
potassium are components of fertile soil. Understanding soil characteristics is very
important in determining the kind of flora and fauna it could support.

Soil Characterization

Understanding the properties or characteristics of soil is important in

determining its uses. Soil can be characterized by its 1.profile, 2.texture, 3. color,
4. consistence, and 5. acidity.

Soil Profile

If we cut through the land surface and observe the earth materials beneath
it, we would see different layers. Each layer is called the horizon. Each horizon has
distinct characteristics. It is described according to its physical and chemical
properties such as color, texture and composition. Its thickness varies from a few
centimeters to a meter or thicker.

The topmost layer of the soil is called the O horizon. It is usually made up of
organic material such as leaves, twigs, insects, and other forms of newly
decomposing surface litter. The O horizon is not always present in soil. It is usually
present in areas with many trees and plants such as forest.

The A horizon which is also known as topsoil is the mineral layer of the soil.
Since it receives the nutrients from decaying litter of the O horizon, it is usually
made up of humus which makes the soil fertile. Thus, it is very useful in planting
or farming. With the help of plant roots in the O and A layers, water is absorbed by
humus. This helps prevent flooding.

The next mineral layer of the sol is the B horizon which is also known as the
subsoil layer. Materials leached from O and A horizons accumulate in the B
horizon. Thus, it is rich in clay, organic matter, and other mineral components.
Other materials in the B horizon also come from the parent material as a result of
weathering. The B horizon is lighter in color, with reddish or brownish shades.

These upper layers of soil are usually loose and dark colored .The A horizon
is usually darker due to the abundance of organic matter in it.
 The C horizon is usually made up of massive bedrock of the original parent
material. Since it is under two or three other layers, it does not undergo much
change.
Lands in different locations have different soil profile. Forests which abound
in surface or forest litter have O horizons. There may even be another layer, called
the E horizon, under the O horizon stands for eluvial, which means materials such
as clay, aluminum, iron, and organic matter have been leached from it. The E
horizon appears lighter in color than the horizons above and below it. Farming or
agricultural areas do not have the O and E horizons. They start with the A horizon,
which is necessarily fertile topsoil.In severely eroded places, the soil profile may
start with the B horizon.
 What’s More
Activity 3. Unscramble Me

Directions: Unscramble the word below to go through world of the soil. Write
your answers on the space provided.

1.EAWHTEGINR______________________________
2.NOISEOR___________________________________
3.CMOCPAITON_______________________________
4.ENRASLIM__________________________________
5.CSOKR______________________________________
6.HRONIZO___________________________________
7.SUHUM_____________________________________
8.IOLPTOS____________________________________
9.RTNASOPRETD_____________________________
10.OCKDRBE_________________________________

What I Have Learned

1. I learned that
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

2. I enjoyed most on
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
 What I Can Do

Activity 4.

Complete Me!
Study the given illustration then complete the given statements.
 Assessment

Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer from the given choices by
writing the chosen letter on a separate sheet of paper.

1. Which layer of the soil contains decayed animals and plants?

A. Bedrock C. Subsoil
B. Parent material D. Topsoil

2. Which of the following factors affects the chemical change in rocks?

A. Water only C. Water and Rain
B. Wind and oxygen D. Water and oxygen

3. What process involves the breaking down of rocks into particles?

A. Compaction C. Transportation
B. Cementation D. Weathering

4. Which of these is not a form of erosion caused by water?

A.Blowing away of soil
B. Waves crashing into rock
C.Carrying away of sediments by river
D. A flooding river carrying away topsoil

5. Which of the following horizon is usually made up of massive bedrock of the

original parent material?
A. Horizon A C. Horizon B
B. Horizon C D. Bedrock
Additional Activities
 Answer Key
5.C 5.A
4.A 4.A
3.D 3.B
2.D 2.C
1.D 1.A
Post-test Pre-test

10.Bedrock 10.Minerals
9. Trnasported 9.Rocks
8.Topsoil 8.Compaction
7.Humus 7. Erosion
6.Horizon 6. Weathering
5.Rocks 5.Topsoil 5.Bedrock
4.Minerals 4.Subsoil 4.Parent material
3.Compaction 3.Horizon 3.Subsoil
2.Erosion 2.Humus 2.Topsoil
1.Weathering 1.Soil 1.Humus
Activity 3 Activity 2 Activity 1

References
https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=soil+layers+activity&tbm
file:///C:/Users/aus/Documents/soilprofile-layersofsoil.pdf

Andaya, Cynthia. Understanding the Earth Through Environmental Science , n.d.

“Environmental Studies Tutorial.” Tutorialspoint. Accessed August 14, 2020.
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/environmental_studies/index.htm.
“Free Word Searches, Crosswords, and Puzzles.” WordMint. Accessed August 14,
2020. https://wordmint.com/puzzles/2632152.
lylwynn, Ma'am. Nine Environmental Principles, January 1, 1970.
https://lyl4science.blogspot.com/2010/06/nine-environmental-principles.html.

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