Physical properties of rocks: hardness
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can compare and group different rocks by investigating their hardness.
Key learning points
- The physical properties of a material are its features that can be observed or measured.
- Hardness is a physical property of rocks.
- Rocks can be compared and grouped on the basis of their hardness.
Keywords
Rock - Rock is a solid material that occurs naturally in Earth.
Physical properties - Physical properties are the features which can be observed from the way an object looks or feels or can be measured.
Hardness - Hardness is the quality of being difficult to bend, cut, or break.
Compare - To compare is to examine or look for the difference between two or more things.
Group - To group things is to put similar things together.
Common misconception
Pupils may believe that all rocks are hard. Also that if a rock is heavy it is therefore hard.
Share a wide range of rocks the children can handle to explore the property of hardness so they realise some rocks are much softer than others.
Teacher tip
Throughout this unit ensure you have a range of physical rocks to use instead of images as the children need to be able to handle real rocks to compare similarities and differences.
Equipment
See additional guidance.
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - equipment
Exploration of objects
Exploration of objects
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the objects to the material it is often made from.
Q2.Which of these describe a physical property of a material?
Q3.If you wanted to observe a rock more closely which of these pieces of equipment could you use?
Q4.Which of these statements describes a rock?
Q5.When we compare rocks, we observe and differences to be able to group them together.
Q6.We can work like a scientist to carry out an to find answers to questions.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The physical properties of rock are features that can be observed or ...
Q2.Which of these are physical properties of rocks you might observe or measure?
Q3.__________ rocks are hard. Fill in the gap.
Q4.Which of the rocks named below can be grouped as hard?
Q5.Which of these investigations would show if a rock was hard or not?
Q6.Match the object to the most suitable rock.
To help you plan your 3 science lesson on: Physical properties of rocks: hardness, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 3 science lesson on: Physical properties of rocks: hardness, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 science lessons from the Rocks and soils unit, dive into the full primary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.