• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Land and water on Earth). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. In which form is water found at the top of very high mountains? (only gas / only liquid / there is never water there / solid ice and snow) → solid ice and snowPrompt: It is very cold high up.
2. About 97.5% of Earth's water is salt water. What percentage is fresh water? → 2.5 %Prompt: All the water together is 100%.
3. Which landform is described: a long channel of moving fresh water? (mountain / valley / island / river) → riverPrompt: Is it high land, low land, land in water, or moving water?

• Pass round different rocks and ask how each one might have formed.
• Share the objective: Rocks and soils. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Is this rock permeable or impermeable: marble?
• Step 1: Impermeable rocks have no gaps for water to pass through.
• Step 2: So the answer is: impermeable (does not let water through)
• Answer: impermeable (does not let water through)
• Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

• Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
• Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.

1. Is this rock permeable or impermeable: sandstone? (permeable (lets water through) / impermeable (does not let water through)) → permeable (lets water through)Prompt: Does water soak in, or run off the surface?
2. Which type of soil holds the most water? (dry sand / clay soil / sandy soil / gravel) → clay soilPrompt: Clay particles are very tiny and pack closely.

• Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
• Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

1. Rocks and soils: which statement is NOT true? (Rocks can be natural or made by people, like brick and concrete. / Soil contains bits of rock and organic matter. / Some rocks let water soak through them. / Soil is only made of dead leaves.) → Soil is only made of dead leaves.Prompt: What is soil mainly made of?
2. What is soil made from? (melted rock / only sand / only dead leaves / tiny pieces of rock mixed with dead plant and animal material, air and water) → tiny pieces of rock mixed with dead plant and animal material, air and waterPrompt: Soil forms slowly from broken-down rock.

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-3.