Investigating your local woodland: Soils

Age suitability: KS3 (age 11-14)

Type of activity: Fieldwork

KS3 geography curriculum links:

• Understand how geographical processes interact to create distinctive human and physical landscapes that change over time
• Develop greater competence in using geographical skills in analysing and interpreting different data sources
• Understand how human and physical processes interact to influence, and change landscapes, environments, and the climate; and how human activity relies on effective functioning of natural systems
• Interpret Ordnance Survey maps in the classroom and the field, including using grid references and scale, topographical and other thematic mapping, and aerial and satellite photographs
• Use Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to view, analyse and interpret places and data

 Resource includes: 

• Teacher’s notes
• An editable PowerPoint presentation introducing the topic
• Editable student recording sheets 

Investigating your local woodland: Soils is a Key Stage 3 unit of study which will enable students to get to know their local woodland, leading to a connection with the location and fostering a sense of stewardship. 

The aim of this investigation is for students to take on the role of a Forester and identify the soil characteristics of their local woodland. They can then choose appropriate tree species, from the ‘species of the future’ list, which would be suitable for planting at that location.

Through individual desk based research and collaborative fieldwork activities, these resources provide opportunities for students to conduct background research, develop geographical skills, engage in fieldwork investigations and analyse their findings.  There is also some suggested experiential fieldwork, allowing students to directly experience the benefits of connecting with forests. 

These resources were produced with Geography South West 

Download the resources via the buttons below.

For teachers:

Teachers' notesPresentation 

For students - recording sheets:

     Soils      Experiential