Rocks, Soil and Sand
- Earth & Space
- Ages 6–8 · Grades 1–2
What you’ll find out
- Rocks come in many sizes, colours and textures, and can be sorted into groups.
- Wind and water wear rocks down very slowly into pebbles and sand.
- Soil is a mixture of tiny bits of rock and rotting leaves.
No sign-up and no real names. In the lesson you check your understanding as you read, and practise until it sticks.
Rocks come in many kinds
Rocks are all around us. Some are as big as a house, and some are small pebbles you can hold. Rocks can be rough or smooth, and grey, red, brown or white. Scientists look closely at rocks and sort them into groups.
From rock to sand and soil
Rocks break down very slowly. Over many years, wind and water wear them into smaller and smaller pieces. Big rocks become pebbles, and pebbles become grains of sand. Soil is made of tiny bits of rock mixed with old, rotting leaves, and plants grow in it.
Curriculum links: NGSS 2-ESS1-1 · NGSS 2-PS1-1 · England KS2: Rocks · Cambridge Primary Stages 2–3: Earth and space