Science Rocks! A Year 3 Investigation

Date: 21st Sep 2026 @ 2:48pm

Science in Year 3

How are rocks made?

This half term we are studying rocks.  This ties in very nicely with our History topic about The Stone Age. 

We discovered that rocks are made underground in the Earth’s core and mantle and come to the surface through volcanoes.

Vocabulary Alert: Molten rock is hot liquid before it cools and solidifies.  Year 3 has also been learning about the terms ‘metamorphic’, ‘sedimentary’ and ‘igneous’.

The children thought:

“Mudstone become very thin slate when it is out under pressure and heat .”

“The solid rock outside a volcano is called the crust.”

“A metamorphic rock needs pressure and heat.”

“Rocks can have different shapes, colours and texture.”

“We know the names of some rocks like sandstone, marble, obsidian, chalk and mudstone.”

“Some rocks can have crystals and patterns like stripes and spots.”

“Pumice is used by old people to smooth their hard skin.”

“You can find fossils in sedimentary rock.” 

 We have compared the different rocks as well as learning some of their names and properties.

Here are some observations and knowledge that the class have already shared with their friends.

We concluded the rocks are different in many ways.

• texture (rough and smooth)
• colour e.g. brown, red, white, grey
• weight (heavy and light)
• appearance (pattern, plain, crystals)
• size and shape

Next, we are asking ourselves ‘Can rocks change?’ and ‘How can I identify limestone?’

Well done super scientists!