Rocks and soils
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Threads
Why this why now
This unit builds on pupils' prior learning from Uses of everyday materials, where they explored the properties and uses of various materials. In Rocks and soils, pupils will investigate different types of rocks and soils, understanding their properties and how they are formed. This prepares them for the future unit, Evolution and inheritance, where they will explore how living things have changed over time, including how fossils provide evidence of past environments and the organisms that once lived in them.
Prior knowledge requirements
- Identify and name a variety of everyday materials, including rock
- Describe the simple physical properties of a variety of everyday materials
- Compare and group together different materials on the basis of their simple physical properties
- Compare the suitability of different materials, including rock, for particular uses
Threads
Why this why now
This unit builds on pupils' prior learning from Uses of everyday materials, where they explored the properties and uses of various materials. In Rocks and soils, pupils will investigate different types of rocks and soils, understanding their properties and how they are formed. This prepares them for the future unit, Evolution and inheritance, where they will explore how living things have changed over time, including how fossils provide evidence of past environments and the organisms that once lived in them.
Prior knowledge requirements
- Identify and name a variety of everyday materials, including rock
- Describe the simple physical properties of a variety of everyday materials
- Compare and group together different materials on the basis of their simple physical properties
- Compare the suitability of different materials, including rock, for particular uses
Chemistry
Physics
Rocks and soils
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.
16 lessons in unit
slide decks, worksheet PDFs, quizzes and lesson overviews. You can select individual lessons from the Rocks and soils unit and download the resources you need, or download the entire unit now. See every unit listed in our primary science curriculum and discover more of our teaching resources for primary science programmes.