2014: Dig Deeper: Mysteries in the Soil

Soil is an amazing substance. A complex mix of minerals, air, and water, soil also teems with countless micro-organisms, and the decaying remains of once-living things. Soil is made of life and soil makes life.
To the farmer, soil is where crops grow.
To the engineer, soil is a foundation upon which to build.
To the ecologist, soil supports communities of living things.
To the archaeologist, soil holds clues to past cultures.
To the city dweller, soil nurtures grass and gardens.To the soil scientist, soil is all of these things.Soil has been called “the skin of the earth” because it is the thin outermost layer of the Earth’s crust.
Like our own skin, we can’t live without soil.

Source: Soil Science Society of America

Dig Deeper: Mysteries in the Soil was the Stewardship theme for 2014. You may download the logo on NACD’s Flickr page here. Please use the 2014 stewardship materials for educational purposes only.

Dig Deeper: Mysteries in the Soil Educators Guide |PDF| Includes overviews for each grade level booklet, next generation science standards, activities, vocabulary words, literature connections, resources, and more.

Sample Booklets

Grades K-1 |PDF|

Grades 2-3 |PDF|

Grades 4-5 |PDF|

Grades 6 and up |PDF|

Worksheets

Grades K-1 |PDF| Worksheet A and Worksheet B

Grades 2-3 |PDF| Worksheet A and Worksheet B

Grades 4-5 |PDF| Worksheet A and Worksheet B

Grades 6 and up |PDF| Worksheets A and B

(Samples) Bookmark |PDF| BIG Book |PDF| Poster |PDF| and Activity Sheet/Placement |PDF|

For Church Leaders