A material is what we use to make things from.

Rock is a naturally occurring material made up of one or more minerals.

A natural object or material has not been made or changed by humans.

A quarry is a place where rock is dug out of the ground.

Introduction to rocks

Science

The appearance of rocks

Physical properties of rocks: hardness

Mohs' scale of hardness (non-statutory)

Physical properties of rocks: permeability

Everyday uses of rocks

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

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.

Activity that requires collection of items from an area (room, building).

A {{}} is what we use to make things from.

Match the object with the material it is often made from.

Rock is not made by humans. It is a {{}} material which is found in Earth.

Which of the following would be a good use for rock?

Brick, tarmac and concrete are different types of rock.

Brick, tarmac and concrete are not examples of rock.

Match the object to the material it is often made from.

We can use the {{}} of a material to describe what it is like, for example: hard, shiny and rigid.

Which of these materials are human-made in factories?

Starter Quiz