You will learn
- Test hardness.
- Test permeability.
- Compare density.
- Link properties to uses.
Version 0.2 · expanded edition · built from cited public sources Content is based on the official frameworks and sources listed under Sources and standards. No official endorsement is claimed. Written in the style of common primary school assessments. No exam result is promised.
Student lesson
- Hard rocks resist scratching.
- Permeable rocks absorb water.
- Dense rocks feel heavy for their size.
- Properties decide uses.
Words to know
how well a material resists scratching
letting water pass through
not letting water pass through
how heavy a material is for its size
1. Discover: The water test
Akos drops water on a piece of sandstone and a piece of granite. The sandstone darkens as it soaks up the water; the granite stays dry. “Sandstone is permeable,” Akos says. “Granite is not. That is why builders use granite for steps.”
Think: Why does the sandstone darken?
2. Understand: Properties
Idea 1: Hardness
Scratch a rock with a coin, nail or another rock. Hardness tells how well it resists scratching. Quartz scratches glass; chalk is soft.
Idea 2: Water
A permeable rock like sandstone soaks up water. An impermeable rock like granite does not. This matters for wells and building.
Idea 3: Density and use
Density compares weight with size. Dense rocks feel heavy. Hard, impermeable rocks suit paving; soft ones suit carving; permeable ones store water underground.
3. Worked examples
Example 1 (I show you): Test
Scratch chalk.
- Coin scratches it.
- Soft.
- Chalk.
Answer: Chalk is soft.
Example 2 (We do it together): Test
Water on sandstone.
- Soaks in.
- Dark.
- Permeable.
Answer: Sandstone is permeable.
Example 3 (You try): Use
Granite step.
Show the steps and answer
- Hard.
- Impermeable.
- Lasts.
Answer: Granite suits paving.
Did you know?
The Great Pyramid of Giza was built from about 2.3 million blocks of limestone and granite.
Why this matters
Knowing rock properties helps builders, farmers and engineers.
4. Explore: Rock tests
Test hardness and permeability of four rocks and compare.
- Scratch each rock with a coin.
- Add five drops of water.
- Time how fast it soaks in.
- Record in a table.
Think about it: what did you notice?
What did you notice? Soft rocks scratched easily and permeable ones soaked up water.
5. Practise
Say it in a sentence
Use these starters when you talk about the lesson. Say them out loud.
- ___ is resistance to scratching.
- A ___ rock lets water pass.
- An ___ rock blocks water.
- ___ is weight for size.
Guided practice
Question 1. What is hardness?
Resists scratching.
Question 2. What is permeable?
Water passes.
Question 3. What is impermeable?
Water blocked.
Independent practice
Level 1: Start
- What is hardness?
- What is permeable?
- What is impermeable?
- What is density?
- Name a hard rock.
Level 2: Grow
- Why granite for steps?
- Why sandstone for wells?
- Why test fairly?
Level 3: Stretch
- Test four rocks.
- Rank by hardness.
- Explain a use.
Answers are in the answer key below. Try first, then check.
6. Apply: Science in everyday life
Choose a rock for a road.
Show a sample answer
Explain.
Another one. Tell a family member one thing from this lesson. Use the words you learned.
Show a sample answer
A clear sentence that uses at least one word from Words to know.
7. Common mistakes
Fix: They differ.
Fix: They are not weak.
8. Lesson summary and revision card
- I can test hardness.
- I can test permeability.
- I can compare density.
- I can link properties to uses.
9. Check and master
Answer all 14 questions. You will see feedback after each one.
Your result appears here after you answer every question.
10. Key takeaways
- Hard rocks resist scratching.
- Permeable rocks absorb water.
- Dense rocks feel heavy for their size.
- Properties decide uses.
11. Next lesson
Next lesson: Rock formation introduction. Keep going with the next idea in this course.
Exam practice
These questions are written in the style of common school and international primary assessments. Try them on your own, without looking back. Then check your answers in the marking guide. The marks are shown in brackets.
- Define hardness and permeability. [2 marks]
- Describe how to test permeability. [3 marks]
- Link a property to a use. [3 marks]
- Safety rules. [2 marks]
Total: 10 marks.
Marking guide and model answers
- Hardness [1]; permeability [1]
- Water drops [1]; same number [1]; observe soak [1]
- Property [1]; rock [1]; use [1]
- 1 each
Score guide: 9 to 10 = secure. 6 to 8 = nearly there, revise the parts you missed. Under 6 = work through the lesson again with a grown-up.
Printable worksheet
- What is hardness?
- What is permeable?
- What is impermeable?
- What is density?
- Name a hard rock.
- Why granite for steps?
- Why sandstone for wells?
- Why test fairly?
- Test four rocks.
- Rank by hardness.
Homework
Test two rocks at home for water absorption and compare.
Answer key and marking scheme
| Question | Expected response | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1. What is hardness? | Resists scratching. | 1 |
| 2. What is permeable? | Water passes. | 1 |
| 3. What is impermeable? | Water blocked. | 1 |
| 4. What is density? | Weight for size. | 1 |
| 5. Name a hard rock. | Granite. | 1 |
| 6. Why granite for steps? | Hard and dry. | 1 |
| 7. Why sandstone for wells? | Stores water. | 1 |
| 8. Why test fairly? | Same drops. | 1 |
| 9. Test four rocks. | Table. | 1 |
| 10. Rank by hardness. | List. | 1 |
| Total | 10 |
Independent practice answers. Level 1: 1 Resists scratching.; 2 Water passes.; 3 Water blocked.; 4 Weight for size.; 5 Granite.. Level 2: 1 Hard and dry.; 2 Stores water.; 3 Same drops.. Level 3: 1 Table.; 2 List.; 3 Sentence..
Quiz answers: 1 B, 2 C, 3 A, 4 B, 5 C, 6 A, 7 B, 8 C, 9 A, 10 B, 11 C, 12 A, Challenge 1 B, Challenge 2 C.
Mastery and remediation
| Objective | Bronze (Developing) | Silver (Proficient) | Gold (Advanced) |
|---|---|---|---|
| O1 Test hardness | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O2 Test permeability | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O3 Compare density | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O4 Link properties to uses | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
Courseversity badge thresholds (overall quiz score): Gold = 90–100%; Silver = 80–89.9%; Bronze = 70–79.9%. A badge is never a full record of progress.
If a learner struggles
- Find the misconception: “All rocks are equally hard.” They differ.
- Explain another way: use real objects, pictures or actions first, then words.
- Show a simpler example: Test and compare rock properties.
- Guided practice: work through one example together and let the learner try the next one.
- Reassess: use the quiz again or the worksheet.
- Move on when the learner shows Silver-level evidence independently.
For parents and guardians
In this lesson your child tests rock properties. You do not need to be an expert to help.
- Splash water on garden stones.
- Ask “Which soaks it up?”
- Wash hands.
- Ask “how do you know?” after each answer, and listen.
- Praise effort, not only right answers. Mistakes are how we learn.
- Ten to fifteen minutes a day is better than one long session.
Teacher package
1–5. Objectives, prerequisites, materials, preparation, duration
Lesson objectives. Learners will: test hardness; test permeability; compare density; link properties to uses.
Prerequisite knowledge. Grade 3 Earth ideas: types and uses of rocks, soils and how soil forms and moves.
Materials. Rocks, coin, dropper. Low-resource options: use chalk or charcoal on a board or wall, drawings in the sand, and objects from the classroom instead of printed materials.
Preparation. Gather samples.
Suggested duration. 45–60 minutes. It can be split into two shorter sessions.
6–9. Teaching procedure, explanation notes, guided and independent activities
Introduction (5 min). Pour water on two rocks and ask, “What is different?”
Explanation (10 min). Teach properties.
Guided activity (10 min). Learners test.
Independent activity (10 min). Learners link to use.
Assessment and reflection (5 min). Ask each learner to say one thing they learned and how they know it.
Key questions. Hard? Permeable? Why?
Teacher explanation notes. Start with real objects and safe, hands-on observation. Then talk about what was seen, then draw and write. Always say “how do you know?”. Keep to the safety notes, and use local, safe materials.
10–12. Differentiation, formative assessment, common misconceptions
Support. Use real objects and pictures, short sentences and a partner. Let learners point, show or draw instead of writing. Extension. Ask learners to find a new example at home and explain how they know.
Formative assessment. Listen to learners read and explain, ask “how do you know?”, and check the independent work.
Misconceptions. “All rocks are equally hard.” They differ.
13–15. Assessment questions, answer keys, marking scheme
Use the quiz, the 10-mark exam practice and the worksheet on this page. All answers and marking guides are in the answer sections above. Re-check every answer before use.
16–19. Remediation, enrichment, homework, teacher reflection
Remediation. Test and compare rock properties. Enrichment. Look for one new example near your home or school, draw it and explain it to someone. Homework. See above.
Teacher reflection. After teaching, record: which ideas learners understood; which misconceptions occurred; which activities worked; which learners need more practice; and what to improve next time.
Sources and standards
This lesson is based on the sources below, and no official endorsement is claimed. Reference starting points: Next Generation Science Standards, Cambridge Primary Science and the IB Primary Years Programme. Where a standard code is named, it points to the official framework.
Research used to shape this lesson. Courseversity Science curriculum, Grade 4 Unit 7, topic 2; Next Generation Science Standards, Earth’s systems; Cambridge Primary Science Stage 4, Earth and space: rocks and soils; IB Primary Years Programme, sharing the planet. These sources informed the lesson.