Year 3 - Science
More about fossil formation
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 describe a range of different ways in which fossils can be formed.
Key Notes
- Palaeontology is the study of fossils.
- Some fossils are formed when tree resin hardens into amber, with living things trapped inside.
- Models can be used to show how fossils are formed in different ways.
- Some fossils are formed when sediment and minerals fill the hard parts of living things that have died.
Vocabulary To Learn
- palaeontology: Palaeontology is the study of fossils and how life on Earth has changed over millions of years.
- fossil: A fossil is the remains or imprint of living things that are sometimes preserved in rock.
- resin: Resin is a sticky substance which is produced by some trees.
- minerals: Minerals occur naturally and can be dug out of the ground.
- sediment: Sediment is solid material that is moved and deposited in a new location.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may believe that old discovered objects, like bits of pottery, coins and jewellery are fossils. They also may believe that the fossil is always the actual plant or animal itself.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the scientific idea in this lesson using two key points.
Palaeontology is the study of fossils. Some fossils are formed when tree resin hardens into amber, with living things trapped inside.
2. Define this scientific word and use it in context. 'palaeontology'
Palaeontology is the study of fossils and how life on Earth has changed over millions of years. Include the word in a full scientific explanation, not as a single label.
3. Correct this common scientific misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils may believe that old discovered objects, like bits of pottery, coins and jewellery are fossils. They also may believe that the fossil is always the actual plant or animal itself. Correction: Being clear that only things that have been alive may become fossils, and not all living things are fossilised.
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
- Mary Anning (non-statutory) Study Guide
- Mohs' scale of hardness (non-statutory) 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
Browse all guides in the Year 3 Science guide library.