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Rock detectives

Science Year 3
This unit is part of Year 3 Science Rocks and Fossils

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Objectives

Discover how different rocks were made by Planet Earth. Design your own fair test for rocks to check their hardness and permeability. Use a rock identification key to learn which type of rock our samples are.

Science Objectives
i) Compare and group together different kinds of rocks on the basis of appearance and simple physical properties.

Working Scientifically

  1. Set up simple practical enquiries and comparative and fair tests.
  2. Make systematic and careful observations.
  3. Use results to draw simple conclusions, make predictions for new values, suggest improvements and raise further questions.

You Will Need

Provided Resources

  • Two task sheets
  • Rock Identification Key

Additional Resources

  • Rock samples - marble, chalk, limestone, slate, granite, sandstone (essential), pumice, basalt, shale, conglomerate (desirable)
  • Magnifying lenses & microscopes
  • Vinegar
  • Plastic beakers, protective goggles & pipettes
  • Water
  • A selection of items to test hardness, e.g. lolly sticks, plastic spoons, nails, sandpaper, small rock labels, compartment trays
  • Paper plates & plastic gloves

Lesson Planning

Teaching

  • Understand that rocks are formed in 3 different ways.
  • Devise comparative tests for rocks, record and evaluate observations and results.

Activities

  1. Devise their own fair test for the hardness of rocks and put a group of samples in rank order of hardness.
  2. Devise a fair test for permeability and record results and observations in tabular form.
  3. Test rocks with acid (vinegar) to discover if they are made of the shells of dead creatures.
  4. Use a rock identification key to discover what type of rock each sample is.

Investigation - exploring, fair testing, classifying and identifying
Investigate the properties of different rocks with fair testing e.g. permeability, hardness and an acid test for the presence of calcium carbonate. Use a rock identification key.

Vocabulary
Petrologist, man-made rocks, brick, tile, concrete, igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic, permeable, impermeable, acid, erosion, marble, chalk, limestone, slate, granite, sandstone, identification key

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