All lessons › Rocks, minerals and soils › Lesson 1
Australian primary science · Year 3 · Lesson 1 of 3
Rock and soil cards
Inquiry question: How are rocks, minerals and soils different?
Marked no materials needed
Research using sources
What students learn
Rocks are made of minerals. Soil is a mix of tiny bits of rock, broken-down plants and animals, water and air. Rocks and soils have different properties, which make them useful for different jobs.
Success criteria
- I can say what rocks are made of.
- I can describe a rock using a property, like hard, light or layered.
- I can match a rock or soil to a way people use it.
Preparation and materials
Before this lesson: Students have seen rocks, sand and soil in the playground.
- iPads with Bottlebrush Education open (nothing else needed) — 13 (one per pair)
- Projector or big screen — 1
Teacher setup
- Open Earth & space › Learn (the Rocks and Soils cards) on your screen to demonstrate.
- Check the iPads are charged.
Safety and adaptations
Follow school science and equipment risk assessment procedures for the materials used.
Review your school policies and curriculum requirements before teaching.
How to investigate
The lesson sequence should leave pupils with evidence to interpret, not only an activity to finish.
- Pairs open Earth & space › Learn and read the Rocks cards.
- For four rocks whose cards say how people use them, record a property and the use (the sandstone and limestone cards don’t give a use).
- Read the three Soils cards and record how sandy soil, clay soil and loam are different.
- Play Make a rock and put the steps for how sandstone forms in order.
- Solve today’s mystery: find the rock that floats and the rock that burns.
Teacher modelling prompt
On the big screen, open the Granite card. Think aloud: “It is hard and has big crystals I can see. Each kind of crystal is a different mineral. The card says people use granite for benchtops. A benchtop needs to be hard, so that property helps.” Fill in the first row of the table together.
Record and explain evidence
Recording question: What are rocks and soils like, and how do we use them?
| Rock or soil | What it is like (property) | How people use it |
|---|---|---|
| ________________ | ________________ | ________________ |
Example recording headings; record actual observations, including inconclusive results.
Discussion prompt
Who do you agree with? Use a card to explain.
Check understanding
What should pupils know? What are rocks made of?
Explain with evidence: Why is slate good for roof tiles?
Apply the idea: You want to scrub rough skin on your feet. Which rock would you choose? Why?
Teacher answer guidance and saved classroom work are available through the main lesson experience where supported.