NSTA Recommends Why Do Most Plants Need Soil?

Part of the series Down & Dirty: The Secrets of Soil, this book explores the importance of soil to most plants. Beginning with a short review of what soil is, this book looks at why soil is important to the survival of most plants. Soil provides an anchor for plants and a source of water nutrients that are so important for a plant’s health. The book also gives examples of plants that don’t make traditional use of soil with an introduction to epiphytes.

In the classroom the book creates high interest with clear pictures that illustrate the content. Beginning with a Table of Contents to guide the reader to the information they may be looking for, each section uses text and clearly labeled illustrations to develop key science concepts. Important words are bolded and then defined in the “Science Words” section using both pictures and text. There is a “Science Lab” section that suggests investigations that students can complete that focus on the content of the book. An index at the end of the book allows the reader to find specific places in the book where key ideas are presented.

As a part of your library, this book can be used as a tool for primary age students to begin doing research for reports or projects. In addition the “Science Labs” section contains some great ideas for both individual and class investigations. The investigations not only focus on doing, but also on the importance in science of recording and analyzing data.