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Rock survey

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

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Objectives

Help Dr Sarah Stone from the British Rock Society to gather important rock data from your area by going out on a Rock Survey! Gather evidence and discover the bedrock in your area and the variety of other rocks used to do different jobs.

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

Working Scientifically

  1. Make systematic and careful observations and, where appropriate, take accurate measurements using standard units, using a range of equipment.
  2. Gather, record, classify and present data in a variety of ways to help answer questions.

Extended Writing Opportunities
Recount and letter: Write a letter to Dr Sarah Stone from the British Rock Society about the information you learnt during your rock survey of the local area.

You Will Need

Provided Resources

  • Survey sheet

Additional Resources

  • Mobile phone or portable phone (to make a dummy call)
  • Digital cameras
  • One clipboard between 2 children
  • Pencils or pens
  • Any equipment needed to take children out and about your local area, e.g. high visibility vests, first aid kit

Lesson Planning

Teaching

  • Collect evidence of the local bedrock and other rocks in the local area by doing a rock survey.
  • Use knowledge of the properties of rocks to determine why particular rocks were selected for different tasks.

Activities

  1. Take part in an active quiz game to assess and reinforce prior learning on rocks.
  2. Undertake a rock survey of the local area to answer questions on the local bedrock and other rocks seen.
  3. Determine why particular rocks and man-made rocks were used for particular purposes.

Investigation - classifying and identifying
Go on a rock walk in the local vicinity to identify different rocks for different purposes. Record findings.

Vocabulary
Survey, petrologist, data, database

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