The goal of this mini-curriculum is for students to examine, discover, and compare the physical and chemical properties of soil. Seven units are designed to be presented as a lecture and to allow 30 to 40 students to perform every procedure, each testing their own soil sample. Games are provided in each section to reinforce the concepts presented in each unit. Unit 1 introduces students to the concepts of soil and topsoil, soil nutrients, and soil testing. Unit 2 involves students in classifying soil samples, recording data, and building a filtration apparatus. Unit 3 introduces the pH scale and testing for the pH of a soil solution. Units 4, 5 and 6 examine nutrient cycling, and extraction of a soil nutrient solution for nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus testing. Unit 7 activities include analyzing, summarizing, discussing and reporting test results. Instructional materials include teacher tips, materials needed, vocabulary terms with definitions, general preparation instructions, handout duplicating masters, lesson plans with activity procedures, soil test bags, and individually packaged tablets for chemical testing. Four appendices contain information on interpreting soil test results, eight additional resources, chemistry information, and a refill and replacement parts list. (LZ)