Collect several clumps of soil about the size of a fist. Fill the jars with water within an inch of the top. Place the lumps of soil in the baskets and lower them gently into the jars. Organic matter, like decomposed leaves and roots, helps soil hold water and air. When earth holds together like this, it can stand the hard rains that wash away less healthy soil.
Activity Find four or five wide-mouthed glass jars.
You'll want to be able to see through the sides of them. There may be other things you want to test as well. Place each of these items in a separate jar. Hold them close to the side, where you can see them, and fill the jars with ordinary soil. Don't cover the jars, but make sure the soil covers your samples.