Rock is a solid material that occurs naturally in Earth.

Suitability is the fact of being acceptable or right for something or someone.

The way someone or something looks is called its appearance.

Physical properties are features which can be observed from the way something looks, feels or can be measured.

Everyday uses 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

Weathering and erosion 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 violence or fighting, including threats of violence or the aftermath of violence.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Since when have people been using rocks to make useful things?

We choose certain rocks for specific uses because of their ...

Which of these everyday objects would rock be suitable for?

Which of these physical properties would make a rock suitable to build Stonehenge?

Match the objects that Stone Age people used to the rocks they may have been made from.

a gymnast rubbing their hands in a powder to increase their grip

Which of these actions does rock play a part in?

Rock is a natural material found in the Earth's ...

Match the object to the materials it is made from.

Which physical property did Friedrich Mohs create a scale to measure?

Rocks have different physical properties which we can {{}} and measure.

Look at the image of the chalk in water. What do the results tell you about the rock?

Starter Quiz