Instructor's Guide

Welcome to SoilQuest! SoilQuest is a web quest based on a template from The WebQuest Page and part of the Dirt on Soil Series presented by Alberta Agriculture and Agrium Inc.

What is SoilQuest?

The purpose is expose students to a land use debate. Students adopt the roles of different Land Use stakeholders to find the best solution for a specific parcel of land. Students will explore the various factors that impact Alberta's soil and gain an appreciation for the many aspects of soil sustainability. Through online videos and research, discussion, debate, collaboration and hands-on activities your students quickly discover that "Everyone Needs Soil".

Curricular Correlation

SoilQuest can provide a wonderful 'real life' connection as you incorporate learner outcomes into classroom activities. It allows students to obtain a greater appreciation of what is occurring around them. SoilQuest aligns with Grade 7 curriculum Unit A: Interactions and Ecosystems (social and environmental emphasis).

All six strands of social studies (the land, places and people, time, continuity and change, culture and community, global connections, economics and resources and power, authority and decision making) from Grade 4 to 6 are integral when working this SoilQuest. Your students will need to listen, research, write and present their ideas and thoughts in this activity.

Activity Time: (minimum suggested time)

• 2 hours to research and discuss findings with group members
• 4 hours to construct presentation
• 2 hours for presentations and wrap-up discussions

The entire Quest process is laid out for students in the student section, but the general process is as follows:

1. Read background information to the class and follow with discussion and clarification.
2. Introduce Land Use and stakeholder groups and develop an advanced organizer to start students thinking about the issue.
3. Supply the land descriptor (Case File) to the students that is to be used for their SoilQuest.
4. Assign students to a Land Use and stakeholder groups.
5. Students watch the soil videos and then complete the soil worksheets for background.
6. Students research their Land Use group with attention to how stakeholders affect it.
7. Students research their stakeholder interests to determine what they want and need from the land (Case File). Students record their findings as a Graphic Organizer which is part of the rubric.
8. Each Land Use group develops a solution allowing stakeholders to continue their pursuits while balancing the economic, social and environmental aspects of the land.
9. Students design a presentation (e.g. brochure, pamphlet, mural, PowerPoint, role playing/skit, or poster) clearly showing how all stakeholders can work together.
10. Students present findings to the Land Use Commission (the class). Click here for a printer-friendly version of the Evaluation rubric.
11. Discuss findings as a class and realize that everyone needs soil, so we must all use it with care.

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