Soil is the loose surface material that covers most land on Earth.

A prediction is a statement saying what you think will happen.

We make an observation when we look closely at something and use other senses too.

Silt is made from broken grains of rock, with particles larger than clay but smaller than sand.

Organic matter comes from plants and animals that are alive or were once alive.

What soils are made from

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

Weathering and erosion of rocks

How fossils are formed

More about fossil formation

Mary Anning (non-statutory)

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

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

Soil is the material that covers most oceans.

Soil is the material that covers most land.

Soil is the material that covers most of the sky.

True or false? Soils are usually made very quickly.

Scientists make {{}} to share their scientific ideas about what they think will happen or how something might work.

Soils are a mixture of things found in nature.

Which statement about what soils are made from is correct?

Jun observed bubbles when he added a sample of soil to water. What do his observations tell him about his question: What is soil made from?

Organic matter is small parts of rocks that have been formed in nature.

Organic matter is anything that is alive or has been alive.

Organic matter is the organs of an animal that has died.

Soils are a combination of different things, including rock, organic matter and air. What is organic matter?

Rocks only occur naturally in warm countries.

A geologist needs to {{}} rocks by looking at them closely with a hand lens or a microscope.

Wind, rain and waves are all examples of {{}} forces that can wear down and change the shape of rocks.

Weathering is when rocks are out in all different types of weather.

Weathering is when rocks are broken down by natural forces.

Weathering is when rocks are worn away and small pieces are carried away.

Which statement about weathering is true?

Water, wind, and other natural forces cause rocks and earth to wear away.

Natural forces move bits of rock and earth to new places.

The movement of rock and earth changes the shape of the land.

Order the sentences correctly to explain what happens during erosion.

Starter Quiz

Which statement about rocks is true?