Rock detectives!

Rock detectives!

Multiple Choice

What does the word 'permeable' mean? You can search for its meaning if you want to.

• Water can pass through it.

• Water can't pass through it.

• It scratches easily.

• It doesn't scratch easily.

Multiple Choice

When describing a rock, what does it mean if it is hard?

• Water can pass through it easily.

• It scratches easily.

• It has crystals.

• It doesn't scratch easily.

Multiple Choice

What does 'impermeable' mean?

• Water can pass through it easily.

• Water can't pass through it easily.

• It has crystals.

• It scratches easily.

Rock properties

•Rocks can be hard, soft, permeable or impermeable, depending on what type of rock they are. 

•Slate, marble, chalk and granite all have different uses. Lets remind ourselves how they look...

Marble

Marble has an attractive texture and colour and can be cut and polished, making it perfect for floor tiles and sculptures. 

Clay

Clay can be easily moulded to form clay pottery, tiles and ceramics. 

Chalk

Chalk is a rock that is formed from the skeletons of tiny sea animals. It wears away very easily which is why it ideal for making sticks of chalk to write on blackboards.

Granite

Granite is a coarse-grained rock that is hard and impermeable. It is often used to make steps and roads as it is a rock that doesn't wear away easily.

Slate

Slate is a hard impermeable rock, meaning that water cannot soak through it.

Open Ended

How might slate be useful? What could it be used for?

Slate is often used for roofs as it is impermeable (water doesn't pass through it)

Task

Today, I would like you to try to find examples of different types of rock around your house/school.

Can you identify the type of rock that has been used?

If you have a camera, you can record the images.

Otherwise, you can draw or write about what you found.