Re: what is the difference between soil and dirt

Definitions vary but I view dirt as a slang term for soil. I would define dirt
as filth on clothing, carpets, floors, dishes, etc.

Soil can be defined in many ways according to google.com. As a plant biologist,
I usually think of soil as a natural of artificial medium for plant growth. 

One possibility would be to have students smear various subtances on a paper
towel to make it dirty. Many substances can be considered dirt, including soil,
but not all subtances that can be dirt are soil. You could use sand, clay,
pencil shavings, chocolate syrup, dust, fresh or dried leaves, crumbs, etc.
Sand, silt and clay are types of soil. Most soils are mixtures of sand, silt and
clay particles. 

You could also have samples of various types of soils for students to feel;
maybe even some commercial potting soils.


References


Definitions of soil on the Web:


Dirt definitions