Rocks

Pupils should be taught to:
• compare and group together different kinds of rocks on the basis of their appearance and simple physical properties;
• describe in simple terms how fossils are formed when things that have lived are trapped within rock;
• recognise that soils are made from rocks and organic matter.

Y3 Rocks; What is Soil?

Resource Details

A PowerPoint presentation used to introduce soils, what soils are made from and how this produces different types of soil. The PowerPoint can be used at the beginning of the topic or during it to stimulate scientific discussions, ideas and theories.

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Y3 Rocks

Resource Details

A PowerPoint presentation used to introduce rocks, the variety, range and properties of rocks and their uses. The PowerPoint can be used at the beginning of the topic or during it to stimulate scientific discussions, ideas and theories.

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Y3 Investigating Two Different Soils

Resource Details

Pupils investigate two different soils, a peaty soil and a sandy soil. They learn that the content and structure of soils vary and that their are a range of different soil types

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Learning Objectives:

  • POS - recognise that soils are made from rocks and organic matter
  • NaG - pupils should explore different kinds of rocks and soils
  • WS - pupils should set up simple practical enquiries, making comparative and fair tests; report on findings from enquiries, including oral and written explanations, displays or presentations of results; draw conclusions making systematic and careful observations

Y3 Investigating Soil

Resource Details

Pupils investigate what soils are made from and what they contain. Through investigation they learn that soils contain organic matter, minerals, water and air.

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Learning Objectives:

  • PoS - recognise that soils are made from rocks and organic matter
  • NaG - pupils should explore different kinds of rocks and soils
  • WS - pupils should set up simple practical enquiries, comparative and fair tests; report on findings from enquiries, including oral and written explanations, displays or presentations of results and conclusions; make systematic and careful observations

Y3 Adding Fertilizers

Resource Details

Pupils investigate different soils and growing mediums to see if a fertilized soil produces healthier growth in plants.

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Learning Objectives:

  • PoS - recognise that soils are made from rocks and organic matter
  • NaG - pupils should explore different kinds of rocks and soils
  • WS - pupils should set up simple practical enquiries, comparative and fair tests; report on findings from enquiries, including oral and written explanations, displays or presentations of results and conclusions; make systematic and careful observations

Y3 Investigating Different Soils

Resource Details

Pupils learn that most soils are made from rock fragments (sand), animal and plant fragments (humus), water and air and that soils can be different depending on the plant and animal fragments they contain and the types, number and size of the rock fragments and plant fragments mixed into them. Pupils use a hand lens to investigate two soils to see what they consist of. During the investigation they have to try and identify if the soil samples belong to a sandy soil, peaty soil, clay soil or a stony soil.



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Learning Objectives:

  • PoS - recognise that soils are made from rocks and organic matter
  • NaG - pupils should explore different kinds of rocks and soils
  • WS - pupils should set up simple practical enquiries, comparative and fair tests; report on findings from enquiries, including oral and written explanations, displays or presentations of results and conclusions; make systematic and careful observations

Y3 Comparing Soils

Resource Details

Pupils learn that most soils are made from rock fragments (sand), animal and plant fragments (humus), water and air and that soils can be different depending on the plant and animal fragments they contain and the types, number and size of the rock fragments and plant fragments mixed into them. Pupils investigate two soils to see if they can identify a sandy soil and a peaty soil based on an investigation into their structures.



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Learning Objectives:

  • PoS - recognise that soils are made from rocks and organic matter
  • NaG - pupils should explore different kinds of rocks and soils
  • WS - pupils should set up simple practical enquiries, comparative and fair tests; report on findings from enquiries, including oral and written explanations, displays or presentations of results and conclusions; make systematic and careful observations

Y3 Examining and Comparing Soils

Resource Details

Pupils investigate three soils, a peaty soil, a clay soil and a sandy soil. They have to decide which soil sample is which and say how and why they made their choices. For the purpose of the investigation a sandy soil can be made by adding sand to a normal garden soil, a peaty soil can be made by adding peat/compost to a normal garden soil and a clay soil can be made by adding clay to a normal garden soil.


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Learning Objectives:

  • PoS - recognise that soils are made from rocks and organic matter
  • NaG - pupils should explore different kinds of rocks and soils
  • WS - pupils should set up simple practical enquiries, comparative and fair tests; report on findings from enquiries, including oral and written explanations, displays or presentations of results and conclusions; make systematic and careful observations

Y3 Building a House

Resource Details

Pupils look at using rocks for a purpose and why the properties of certain rock make them ideal for building houses.


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Learning Objectives:

  • POS - compare and group together different kinds of rocks on the basis of their appearance and simple physical properties
  • NaG - pupils should observe rocks, including those used in buildings and gravestones
  • WS - pupils should use straightforward scientific evidence to answer questions or to support their findings

Y3 Using Rocks Around the World

Resource Details

Pupils learn that many different rocks can be used for many different purposes around the world and that some rocks are better at doing certain jobs than others. Pupils learn that it is the rock's properties that will determine how the rock is used.



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Learning Objectives:

  • PoS - compare and group together different kinds of rocks on the basis of their appearance and simple physical properties
  • NaG - pupils should explore different kinds of rocks and soils, including those in the local environment; observe rocks, including those used in buildings and gravestones
  • WS - pupils should use straightforward scientific evidence to answer questions or to support their findings

Y3 Using Different Rocks in Different Environments

Resource Details

Pupils learn that many different rocks can be used for many different purposes and that some rocks are better at doing certain jobs than others. Pupils learn that it is the rock's properties that will determine how the rock is used.


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Learning Objectives:

  • PoS - compare and group together different kinds of rocks on the basis of their appearance and simple physical properties
  • NaG - pupils should explore different kinds of rocks and soils, including those in the local environment; observe rocks, including those used in buildings and gravestones
  • WS - pupils should use straightforward scientific evidence to answer questions or to support their findings

Y3 Natural and Artificial Rocks in the Local Environment

Resource Details

Pupils learn that rocks can be used for many purposes and that some of these rocks are naturally-occurring and some are artificial. Pupils identify what purpose a number of rocks are being used for and identify whether these rocks are natural or artificial (a cut, sort, match and paste activity).


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Learning Objectives:

  • PoS - compare and group together different kinds of rocks on the basis of their appearance and simple physical properties
  • NaG - pupils should explore different kinds of rocks and soils, including those in the local environment; observe rocks, including those used in buildings and gravestones
  • WS - pupils should use straightforward scientific evidence to answer questions or to support their findings

Y3 The Water Drop Test

Resource Details

Pupils plan and design an investigation to see which of the rocks they have in their sample are permeable or impermeable. The visual clues and equipment available will help them to design their own water drop test.


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Learning Objectives:

  • PoS - compare and group together different kinds of rocks on the basis of their appearance and simple physical properties
  • NaG - pupils should explore different kinds of rocks and soils, including those in the local environment
  • WS - pupils should ask relevant questions and use different types of scientific enquiries to answer them; set up simple practical enquiries, comparative and fair tests; gather, record, classify and present data in a variety of ways to help in answering questions

Y3 Testing for Rock Permeability – The Water Drop Test (blank)

Resource Details

Pupils learn that some rocks are permeable (they allow water to pass into and through them) and some are impermeable (they do not allow water to pass into or through them). They carry out the 'Water drop test' to investigate which of the rocks they are investigating are permeable or impermeable. Teachers can select the range and type of rocks they wish to investigate.



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Learning Objectives:

  • PoS - compare and group together different kinds of rocks on the basis of their appearance and simple physical properties
  • NaG - pupils should explore different kinds of rocks and soils, including those in the local environment
  • WS - pupils should ask relevant questions and use different types of scientific enquiries to answer them; set up simple practical enquiries, comparative and fair tests; make systematic and careful observations and, where appropriate, take accurate measurements using standard units

Y3 Testing for Rock Permeability – The Water Drop Test

Resource Details

Pupils learn that some rocks are permeable (they allow water to pass into and through them) and some are impermeable (they do not allow water to pass into or through them). They carry out the 'Water drop test' to investigate which of the rocks they are investigating are permeable or impermeable.



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Learning Objectives:

  • PoS - compare and group together different kinds of rocks on the basis of their appearance and simple physical properties
  • NaG - pupils should explore different kinds of rocks and soils, including those in the local environment
  • WS - pupils should ask relevant questions and use different types of scientific enquiries to answer them; set up simple practical enquiries, comparative and fair tests; make systematic and careful observations and, where appropriate, take accurate measurements using standard units

Y3 Rocks – Permeable or Impermeable?

Resource Details

Pupils think about how they could set up an investigation to find out which rocks are impermeable and which rocks are permeable. Pupils then set up and carry out their investigation.


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Learning Objectives:

  • PoS - compare and group together different kinds of rocks on the basis of their appearance and simple physical properties
  • NaG - pupils should explore different kinds of rocks and soils, including those in the local environment
  • WS - pupils should ask relevant questions and use different types of scientific enquiries to answer them; set up simple practical enquiries, comparative and fair tests; make systematic and careful observations and, where appropriate, take accurate measurements using standard units

Y3 Investigating Rock Permeability (blank)

Resource Details

Pupils investigate whether a rock is permeable or impermeable by submerse them in water and carefully observing and recording what happens.



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Learning Objectives:

  • PoS - compare and group together different kinds of rocks on the basis of their appearance and simple physical properties
  • NaG - pupils should explore different kinds of rocks and soils, including those in the local environment
  • WS - pupils should ask relevant questions and use different types of scientific enquiries to answer them; set up simple practical enquiries, comparative and fair tests; make systematic and careful observations and, where appropriate, take accurate measurements using standard units

Y3 Investigating Rock Permeability

Resource Details

Pupils investigate whether a rock is permeable or impermeable by submerse them in water and carefully observing and recording what happens.


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Learning Objectives:

  • PoS - compare and group together different kinds of rocks on the basis of their appearance and simple physical properties
  • NaG - pupils should explore different kinds of rocks and soils, including those in the local environment
  • WS - pupils should ask relevant questions and use different types of scientific enquiries to answer them; set up simple practical enquiries, comparative and fair tests; make systematic and careful observations and, where appropriate, take accurate measurements using standard units

Y3 The Properties of Rocks

Resource Details

Pupils plan their own investigation into the property of rocks.


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Learning Objectives:

  • PoS - compare and group together different kinds of rocks on the basis of their appearance and simple physical properties
  • NaG - pupils should explore different kinds of rocks and soils, including those in the local environment
  • WS - pupils should ask relevant questions and use different types of scientific enquiries to answer them; set up simple practical enquiries, comparative and fair tests; gather, record, classify and present data in a variety of ways to help in answering questions

Y3 Observing and Comparing Rocks

Resource Details

Pupils use hand lenses to investigate and study a variety of rocks. The draw each rock and record properties such as colour, smoothness and weight.



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Learning Objectives:

  • PoS - compare and group together different kinds of rocks on the basis of their appearance and simple physical properties
  • NaG - pupils should use a hand lens or microscope to help them to identify and classify rocks according to whether they have grains or crystals
  • WS - pupils should ask relevant questions and using different types of scientific enquiries to answer them; make systematic and careful observations; gather, record, classify and present data in a variety of ways to help in answering questions

Y3 Looking at and Comparing Rocks (blank)

Resource Details

Pupils look at a range of common rocks and predict which ones they think are the hardest. Pupils carry out the 'scratch' test to investigate which are the hardest rocks and whether or not their predictions were correct. Pupils have to then identify where hard and soft rocks are used to do a variety of jobs.



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Learning Objectives:

  • PoS - compare and group together different kinds of rocks on the basis of their appearance and simple physical properties
  • NaG - pupils should use a hand lens or microscope to help them to identify and classify rocks according to whether they have grains or crystals
  • WS - pupils should ask relevant questions and using different types of scientific enquiries to answer them; make systematic and careful observations; gather, record, classify and present data in a variety of ways to help in answering questions

Y3 Looking at and Comparing Rocks

Resource Details

Pupils look at a range of common rocks and predict which ones they think are the hardest. Pupils carry out the 'scratch' test to investigate which are the hardest rocks and whether or not their predictions were correct. Pupils have to then identify where hard and soft rocks are used to do a variety of jobs.


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Learning Objectives:

  • PoS - compare and group together different kinds of rocks on the basis of their appearance and simple physical properties
  • NaG - pupils should use a hand lens or microscope to help them to identify and classify rocks according to whether they have grains or crystals
  • WS - pupils should ask relevant questions and using different types of scientific enquiries to answer them; make systematic and careful observations; gather, record, classify and present data in a variety of ways to help in answering questions

Y3 Common Rock Picture Bank

Resource Details

The 'Common rock' picture bank helps pupils to identify a number of common everyday rocks.

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Learning Objectives:

  • POS - compare and group together different kinds of rocks on the basis of their appearance and simple physical properties
  • NaG - pupils should explore different kinds of rocks and soils, including those in the local environment; observe rocks, including those used in buildings and gravestones

Y3 Studying Rocks

Resource Details

Pupils use a hand lens to investigate a variety of rocks and record a number of visual and physical observations. They record their observations in words and pictures on the pages of a 'Studying Rocks' booklet. Pupils then make their booklet.

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Learning Objectives:

  • PoS - compare and group together different kinds of rocks on the basis of their appearance and simple physical properties
  • NaG - pupils should use a hand lens or microscope to help them to identify and classify rocks according to whether they have grains or crystals
  • WS - pupils should ask relevant questions and use different types of scientific enquiries to answer them; make systematic and careful observations; gather, record, classify and present data in a variety of ways to help in answering questions

Y3 Characteristics of Rocks

Resource Details

Pupils learn that different rocks can be used to do different jobs based on their characteristics and that not all rocks can do the same job.




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Learning Objectives:

  • POS - compare and group together different kinds of rocks on the basis of their appearance and simple physical properties
  • NaG - pupils should explore different kinds of rocks and soils, including those in the local environment; observe rocks, including those used in buildings and gravestones
  • WS - pupils should use straightforward scientific evidence to answer questions or to support their findings

Y3 Common Rock and Soil Definitions

Resource Details

Pupils match common rock and soil definitions with their correct images.

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Learning Objectives:

  • PoS - compare and group together different kinds of rocks on the basis of their appearance and simple physical properties; recognise that soils are made from rocks and organic matter

The Fossil Game (New)

Resource Details

Pupils play a game that helps to reinforce the processes required for the fossil formation of prehistoric animals.

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Learning Objectives:

  • POS - compare and group together different kinds of rocks on the basis of their appearance and simple physical properties NaG - pupils should explore different kinds of rocks and soils, including those in the local environment; observe rocks, including those used in buildings and gravestones WS - pupils should use straightforward scientific evidence to answer questions or to support their findings

Fossil Formation (New)

Resource Details

Pupils learn that fossils are the preserved remains of animals, plants, and other organisms which died many thousands of years in the past and that fossils are usually found in the ground by digging.

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Learning Objectives:

  • POS - compare and group together different kinds of rocks on the basis of their appearance and simple physical properties NaG - pupils should explore different kinds of rocks and soils, including those in the local environment; observe rocks, including those used in buildings and gravestones WS - pupils should use straightforward scientific evidence to answer questions or to support their findings

Facts about Soil (New)

Resource Details

Pupils learn that soils are made from rocks and organic matter and that soils can be different depending on the rocks and organic matter that they are made from. Pupils also learn that soils are made up from four different common layers.

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Learning Objectives:

  • POS - recognise that soils are made from rocks and organic matter NaG - pupils should explore different kinds of rocks and soils