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Looking closely at rocks.

Year 3
Rocks & Soil

Rocks and Soil is our Year 3 topic looking at six different ways rocks and soil are important and integral to one another. First up is learning to identify and classify rocks, followed by identifying, learning how some rocks are harder and softer, such as granite and chalk.

Hands-On Education focus's on unique hands-on activities for home education families and primary school teachers. We heavily test and research all our activities and link them to the National Curriculum in England.

Within this topic you will find:

  • 6 activity plans, all of which clearly explain how to prepare and carry out each activity.
  • 11 activity sheets to support your child in recording their investigations.

This topic meets aspects within the National Curriculum in England in the following subjects: Science.

Gain Full Access with an
Annual Year 3 Membership
    Relation to Curriculum in England: = Science
    Download Links: = Activity Plan = Activity Sheet(s)
Click to Enlarge Activity Resources Relation to National Curriculum Downloads
Activity One - Identify Classify And Observe

Activity 1
Identify Classify And Observe

  • Sc3/1.1 asking relevant questions and using different types of scientific enquiries to answer them
  • Sc3/1.3 making systematic and careful observations
  • Sc3/1.5 recording findings using simple scientific language, drawings, labelled diagrams
  • Sc3/3.1a compare and group together different kinds of rocks on the basis of their appearance and simple physical properties
Activity Two - Investigating Permeable Rocks

Activity 2
Investigating Permeable Rocks

  • Sc3/1.1 asking relevant questions and using different types of scientific enquiries to answer them
  • Sc3/1.2 setting up simple practical enquiries, comparative and fair tests
  • Sc3/1.3 making systematic and careful observations
  • Sc3/1.5 recording findings using simple scientific language, drawings, labelled diagrams
  • Sc3/3.1a compare and group together different kinds of rocks on the basis of their appearance and simple physical properties
Activity Three - Investigating The Hardness Of Rocks

Activity 3
Investigating The Hardness Of Rocks

  • Sc3/1.1 asking relevant questions and using different types of scientific enquiries to answer them
  • Sc3/1.2 setting up simple practical enquiries, comparative and fair tests
  • Sc3/1.3 making systematic and careful observations
  • Sc3/1.5 recording findings using simple scientific language, drawings, labelled diagrams
  • Sc3/3.1a compare and group together different kinds of rocks on the basis of their appearance and simple physical properties
Activity Four - Soil Observation

Activity 4
Soil Observation

  • Sc3/1.1 asking relevant questions and using different types of scientific enquiries to answer them
  • Sc3/1.3 making systematic and careful observations
  • Sc3/1.5 recording findings using simple scientific language, drawings, labelled diagrams
  • Sc3/3.1c recognise that soils are made from rocks and organic matter
Activity Five - Parts Of Soil

Activity 5
Parts Of Soil

  • Sc3/1.2 setting up simple practical enquiries, comparative and fair tests
  • Sc3/1.4 gathering, recording, classifying and presenting data in a variety of ways to help in answering questions
  • Sc3/1.5 recording findings using simple scientific language, drawings, labelled diagrams
  • Sc3/3.1c recognise that soils are made from rocks and organic matter
Activity Six - Weathering Rocks Investigation

Activity 6
Weathering Rocks Investigation

  • Sc3/1.1 asking relevant questions and using different types of scientific enquiries to answer them
  • Sc3/1.2 setting up simple practical enquiries, comparative and fair tests
  • Sc3/1.8 identifying differences, similarities or changes related to simple scientific ideas and processes
  • Sc3/1.9 using straightforward scientific evidence to answer questions or to support their findings
  • Sc3/3.1c recognise that soils are made from rocks and organic matter

Symbols Key

    Relation to Curriculum in England: = Science
    Download Links: = Activity Plan = Activity Sheet(s) = Play Video = Download Video
Activity One - Identify Classify And Observe
Activity 1
Identify Classify And Observe
Practical Resources:
Relation to Curriculum in England:
  • Sc3/1.1 asking relevant questions and using different types of scientific enquiries to answer them
  • Sc3/1.3 making systematic and careful observations
  • Sc3/1.5 recording findings using simple scientific language, drawings, labelled diagrams
  • Sc3/3.1a compare and group together different kinds of rocks on the basis of their appearance and simple physical properties
Downloads:
Activity Two - Investigating Permeable Rocks
Activity 2
Investigating Permeable Rocks
Practical Resources:
Relation to Curriculum in England:
  • Sc3/1.1 asking relevant questions and using different types of scientific enquiries to answer them
  • Sc3/1.2 setting up simple practical enquiries, comparative and fair tests
  • Sc3/1.3 making systematic and careful observations
  • Sc3/1.5 recording findings using simple scientific language, drawings, labelled diagrams
  • Sc3/3.1a compare and group together different kinds of rocks on the basis of their appearance and simple physical properties
Downloads:
Activity Three - Investigating The Hardness Of Rocks
Activity 3
Investigating The Hardness Of Rocks
Practical Resources:
Relation to Curriculum in England:
  • Sc3/1.1 asking relevant questions and using different types of scientific enquiries to answer them
  • Sc3/1.2 setting up simple practical enquiries, comparative and fair tests
  • Sc3/1.3 making systematic and careful observations
  • Sc3/1.5 recording findings using simple scientific language, drawings, labelled diagrams
  • Sc3/3.1a compare and group together different kinds of rocks on the basis of their appearance and simple physical properties
Downloads:
Activity Four - Soil Observation
Activity 4
Soil Observation
Practical Resources:
Relation to Curriculum in England:
  • Sc3/1.1 asking relevant questions and using different types of scientific enquiries to answer them
  • Sc3/1.3 making systematic and careful observations
  • Sc3/1.5 recording findings using simple scientific language, drawings, labelled diagrams
  • Sc3/3.1c recognise that soils are made from rocks and organic matter
Downloads:
Activity Five - Parts Of Soil
Activity 5
Parts Of Soil
Practical Resources:
Relation to Curriculum in England:
  • Sc3/1.2 setting up simple practical enquiries, comparative and fair tests
  • Sc3/1.4 gathering, recording, classifying and presenting data in a variety of ways to help in answering questions
  • Sc3/1.5 recording findings using simple scientific language, drawings, labelled diagrams
  • Sc3/3.1c recognise that soils are made from rocks and organic matter
Downloads:
Activity Six - Weathering Rocks Investigation
Activity 6
Weathering Rocks Investigation
Practical Resources:
Relation to Curriculum in England:
  • DT2/1.1a use research and develop design criteria to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing products that are fit for purpose, aimed at particular individuals or groups
  • DT2/1.1b generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through discussion, annotated sketches, cross-sectional and exploded diagrams, prototypes, pattern pieces and computer-aided design
  • DT2/1.2a select from and use a wider range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks accurately
  • DT2/1.2b select from and use a wider range of materials and components, including construction materials, according to their functional properties and aesthetic qualities
  • DT2/1.3b evaluate their ideas and products against their own design criteria and consider the views of others to improve their work
  • DT2/1.4a apply their understanding of how to strengthen, stiffen and reinforce more complex structures
Downloads:

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