Year 3 - Science
Mary Anning (non-statutory)
Rocks and soils
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit covers comparing and grouping rocks based on appearance and physical properties, understanding fossil formation, and recognising that soils are made from rocks and organic matter. It involves setting up practical enquiries, making observations, and using evidence to answer questions.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to talk about the importance of Mary Anning's work as a fossil hunter.
Key Notes
- Mary Anning was a famous palaeontologist, known as one of the greatest fossil hunters to have ever lived.
- Male scientists at the time often did not credit her discoveries because she was a woman from a poor background.
- Today the Natural History Museum in London showcases several of Mary Anning's spectacular finds.
- There are still fossils to discover. Anyone could become a fossil hunter!
Vocabulary To Learn
- fossil: A fossil is the bones or remains of living things that are sometimes preserved in rocks.
- palaeontologist: A palaeontologist is a scientist who studies fossils and how life on Earth has changed over millions of years.
- discovered: Discovered is when something has been found, especially if this is for the first time.
- evidence: Evidence is information which helps us to prove if something is true or not.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may believe that during the time that Mary Anning lived women did not work in science.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the scientific idea in this lesson using two key points.
Mary Anning was a famous palaeontologist, known as one of the greatest fossil hunters to have ever lived. Male scientists at the time often did not credit her discoveries because she was a woman from a poor background.
2. Define this scientific word and use it in context. 'fossil'
A fossil is the bones or remains of living things that are sometimes preserved in rocks. Include the word in a full scientific explanation, not as a single label.
3. Correct this common scientific misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils may believe that during the time that Mary Anning lived women did not work in science. Correction: Explaining to the pupils that Mary Anning was a trail blazer and, although it was difficult for her to work in the field of science, she continued to prove new theories and develop knowledge of fossils.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Different types of soils (non-statutory) Study Guide
- Everyday uses of rocks Study Guide
- Healthy soil (non-statutory Climate Change & Sustainability) Study Guide
- How fossils are formed Study Guide
- How geologists work Study Guide
- Introduction to rocks Study Guide
- Mohs' scale of hardness (non-statutory) Study Guide
- More about fossil formation Study Guide
- Physical properties of rocks: hardness Study Guide
- Physical properties of rocks: permeability Study Guide
- Soil permeability: do and review (non-statutory) Study Guide
- Soil permeability: plan (non-statutory) Study Guide
- The appearance of rocks Study Guide
- Weathering and erosion of rocks Study Guide
- What soils are made from Study Guide
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