Fossils and the rock cycle
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe the formation of fossils and how the rock cycle affects our fossil record.
Key learning points
- Fossils are found in sedimentary rock, but not in other types of rock.
- Fossils are often the remains of living plants or animals.
- Bones buried in sedimentary rock can be very, very slowly dissolved by water and replaced by minerals in the water.
- Geological activities can break or completely destroy fossils.
Keywords
Fossil - The mineralised remains or impression of once–living organisms, or of traces left behind by organisms (e.g. skeletons, shells or impressions).
Mineral - An element or compound with a crystal–like structure. They are the 'building blocks' of rocks.
Sediment - A material deposited by water, wind or ice, such as pebbles or sand.
Sedimentary rock - A type of rock formed from the compression of sediments (rock fragments, minerals and remains of dead plants and animals).
Rock cycle - The gradual recycling of rocks over millions of years.
Common misconception
Pupils often interpret the rock cycle as the cause of rock formation.
Stress the rock cycle is a representation of relationships between the rock types. For rocks to change from one type to another requires specific conditions (i.e. igneous rock can change into metamorphic or melted into a different igenous rock).
Teacher tip
Consider using models to demonstrate how rock changes from one type to another.
Equipment
None required.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following is a type of rock that forms from the cooling of molten rock?
Q2.Which of the following is a type of sedimentary rock?
Q3.Which of the following processes breaks down rocks into smaller pieces?
Q4.Match the following key words to their definition.
Q5.True or false? Metamorphic rocks are formed by the cooling of lava.
Q6. is the process where sediments are laid down or settle in a new location. It follows erosion, where the sediments are transported.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What are fossils?
Q2.Which type of rock can fossils be typically found in?
Q3.Put the following steps in the process of fossilisation in the correct order, showing how fossils form over time.
Q4.Match the following key terms to their definition.
Q5.Geological activities, such as tectonic movements, erosion, and volcanic activity, can break or completely destroy by altering the rock in which they are embedded.
Q6.How can fossils provide information about past environments?
To help you plan your 9 science lesson on: Fossils and the rock cycle, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 science lesson on: Fossils and the rock cycle, 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.
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