This engaging resource pack combines our popular STEM Journal with hands-on investigations that explore geology and earth science. Perfect for Key Stage 2 learners, children will classify rocks, investigate their properties, and discover how soil is formed while documenting their geological journey in their STEM Journal.
Included Resources +
This pack includes seven activity sheets with accompanying lesson plans and a STEM Journal for recording rock and soil investigations and discoveries.
• STEM Journal — interactive notebook for recording rock and soil investigations and discoveries
• Identify, Classify And Observe — learn to identify different types of rocks and their characteristics
• Investigating Permeable Rocks — test which rocks allow water to pass through them
• Investigating The Hardness Of Rocks — compare the hardness of different rock types through practical tests
• Soil Observation — examine soil samples and discover what soil is made of
• Layers Of Soil — explore the different layers that make up soil
• Weathering Rocks Investigation — discover how rocks break down over time to form soil
Key Details +
• Year Group: Year 3 (ages 7–8)
• Key Stage: KS2
• Subject: Science
• Resource Type: Activity Sheets + Lesson Plans + STEM Journal
• Format: Instant PDF Download
• Number of Activities: 7
Curriculum Alignment +
Aligned to the Year 3 Science National Curriculum. Covers rocks — comparing and grouping together different kinds of rocks on the basis of their appearance and simple physical properties, describing in simple terms how fossils are formed when things that have lived are trapped within rock, and recognising that soils are made from rocks and organic matter. Develops classification and comparison skills through hands-on testing and investigation. Cross-curricular links to Maths (Year 3 — measuring and recording data, comparing results) and outdoor learning (local geology exploration and soil sampling).
Teaching Tips +
Investigating The Hardness Of Rocks works brilliantly as a fair test using the Mohs scale as a reference — children scratch rocks with a fingernail, copper coin, and steel nail to determine hardness. Collect a variety of rock samples in advance (granite, sandstone, limestone, slate, chalk) for the best range of results. Investigating Permeable Rocks is visually satisfying — pour the same amount of water onto different rock samples over a funnel and measure how much passes through. Weathering Rocks Investigation pairs naturally with the Year 3 Fossils + History Timeline Notebook for a complete rocks, soils, and fossils unit. Soil Observation works best with samples from different locations — school garden, a park, and a building site give strikingly different results.
