Science·Earth's Systems·conceptual
Properties of materials
Compare and group different kinds of rocks based on their appearance and simple physical properties such as hardness, texture, and colour
Suggested ages 7–8
Learning journey
Your child is learning about Earth's structure — exploring different types of rocks and soil, understanding where water is found on our planet, and discovering how land shapes change over time.
Evidence of understanding
- Describe at least three observable properties of rocks: hardness, texture, colour, grain size
- Sort a collection of rocks into groups based on chosen properties
- Compare two rocks and describe how their properties differ
Assessment prompt
Can Properties of materials examine a collection of rocks and sort them by whether they're hard or crumbly, rough or smooth, and light or dark?
Standards alignment
Y3.Sci.R.1GB · uk-nc-2013
Comparing and grouping rocks
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · Key Stage 2