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Science lesson plan · 3rd grade (Year 4 in England) · 60 minutes

Rocks and soils

Earth and rocks

CCSS NGSS.4-ESS2-1England: KS2 Y3 Rocks

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Rocks and soils.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: Land and water on Earth

Leads to: How fossils form; Weathering and erosion

Materials: Rock samples, Hand lenses, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 6 min

  • 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. Where is most of Earth's water found? (in rivers / in the oceans / in lakes / in clouds) → in the oceansPrompt: Oceans cover most of the planet.
  2. About 96% of Earth's water is salt water. What percentage is fresh water? → 4 %Prompt: All the water together is 100%.
  3. Which landform is described: land with water all around it? (mountain / valley / island / river) → islandPrompt: Is it high land, low land, land in water, or moving water?

Hook · 6 min

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

I do: model it · 12 min

  • 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.

We do: guided practice · 12 min

  • 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: marble? (permeable (lets water through) / impermeable (does not let water through)) → impermeable (does not let water through)Prompt: Does water soak in, or run off the surface?
  2. Why is slate used for roof tiles? (It soaks up rain / It floats / It is impermeable and splits into thin flat sheets / It is soft and crumbly) → It is impermeable and splits into thin flat sheetsPrompt: A roof must keep rain out.

You do: independent practice · 17 min

  • 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 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 7 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. How can you test which rock is hardest? (look at their colour / weigh them / smell them / try to scratch each with the same object, such as a steel nail) → try to scratch each with the same object, such as a steel nailPrompt: A harder rock is more difficult to scratch.
  2. Rocks and soils: which statement is NOT true? (Rocks can be compared by hardness and permeability. / Some rocks let water soak through them. / Soil contains bits of rock and organic matter. / Granite lets water soak through easily.) → Granite lets water soak through easily.Prompt: What is soil mainly made of?

Watch out for

  • Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
  • Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Land and water on Earth.
  • Use concrete materials: rock samples.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Move on to: How fossils form; Weathering and erosion.
  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

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

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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Rocks and soils

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    Is this rock permeable or impermeable: basalt?

    • A. permeable (lets water through)
    • B. impermeable (does not let water through)

  2. Question 2

    Rocks and soils: which statement is NOT true?

    • A. Soil contains bits of rock and organic matter.
    • B. Some rocks let water soak through them.
    • C. Rocks can be natural or made by people, like brick and concrete.
    • D. Granite lets water soak through easily.

  3. Question 3

    Why is slate used for roof tiles?

    • A. It floats
    • B. It soaks up rain
    • C. It is soft and crumbly
    • D. It is impermeable and splits into thin flat sheets

  4. Question 4

    Is this rock permeable or impermeable: sandstone?

    • A. permeable (lets water through)
    • B. impermeable (does not let water through)

  5. Question 5

    What is soil made from?

    • A. melted rock
    • B. tiny pieces of rock mixed with dead plant and animal material, air and water
    • C. only sand
    • D. only dead leaves

  6. Question 6

    Which type of soil holds the most water?

    • A. dry sand
    • B. sandy soil
    • C. clay soil
    • D. gravel

  7. Question 7

    Is this rock permeable or impermeable: slate?

    • A. permeable (lets water through)
    • B. impermeable (does not let water through)

  8. Question 8

    How can you test which rock is hardest?

    • A. try to scratch each with the same object, such as a steel nail
    • B. look at their colour
    • C. smell them
    • D. weigh them

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Answer key: Rocks and soils

  1. 1. B. impermeable (does not let water through)

  2. 2. D. Granite lets water soak through easily.

  3. 3. D. It is impermeable and splits into thin flat sheets

  4. 4. A. permeable (lets water through)

  5. 5. B. tiny pieces of rock mixed with dead plant and animal material, air and water

  6. 6. C. clay soil

  7. 7. B. impermeable (does not let water through)

  8. 8. A. try to scratch each with the same object, such as a steel nail