Weathering is a natural process that slowly breaks apart or changes rock. Heat, water, wind, living things, and other natural forces cause weathering.

Wind, rain, heat and cold are natural forces.

Erosion is when bits of rock and earth are carried away from their original location, by natural forces like wind and rain.

When objects are moved from one place to another, it is called transportation.

A geologist is a scientist who studies what the earth is made of.

Weathering and erosion of rocks

Science

Introduction to rocks

The appearance of rocks

Physical properties of rocks: hardness

Mohs' scale of hardness (non-statutory)

Physical properties of rocks: permeability

Everyday uses of rocks

How fossils are formed

More about fossil formation

Mary Anning (non-statutory)

What soils are made from

Different types of soils (non-statutory)

Healthy soil (non-statutory Climate Change & Sustainability)

Soil permeability: plan (non-statutory)

Soil permeability: do and review (non-statutory)

How geologists work

In this Rocks and soil unit, pupils learn to describe in simple terms how fossils are formed. In the Evolution and inheritance unit, pupils will build on this knowledge to recognise that things have changed over time and that fossils provide information about living things that inhabited the Earth millions of years ago.

In the Uses of everyday materials unit, pupils learnt to identify and compare the suitability of materials, including rock. In this Rocks and soils unit, pupils will build on this knowledge to compare and group different kinds of rocks on the basis of their appearance and simple physical properties.

This unit covers comparing and grouping rocks based on appearance and physical properties, understanding fossil formation, and recognising that soils are made from rocks and organic matter. It involves setting up practical enquiries, making observations, and using evidence to answer questions.

Rocks and soils

Depiction or discussion of famine, disease, natural disasters.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Physical activity and equipment requiring safe use

Use of equipment that may require supervision for safety, e.g. scissors in KS1, needles, paint, knives, cooking.

The breaking down of rocks on Earth’s surface, over time, is called {{}}.

{{}} is when land is worn away by natural forces and transported to another location.

Which of these are natural forces that cause weathering?

Match the example to the name of the process.

Weathering and erosion of rock can cause ...

{{}} and other scientists help to eliminate the negative impact of weathering and erosion.

Which of these materials would be most suitable to make a bench?

I am hard, impermeable and good for writing with.

I am flexible, permeable and good for building houses.

I am rigid, crumbly and good for making statues.

I am soft, permeable and athletes use me to help them grip.

I am soft, permeable and useful for making ornaments.

Read these descriptions. Which best describes the rock called chalk?

Look at these results. Which of the questions below would you be able to answer if these were your results?

When put in water, chalk and sandstone produced bubbles but marble and slate did not. Match the rocks to their permeability.

It doesn't show you anything. You can't tell anything by looking at it.

Look at this slate in a glass of water. It is a test for permeability. What does it show you about the permeability of slate?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Risk assessment required - equipment

Adult supervision required

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Weathering and erosion of rocks

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.