Learning objectives
Knowledge
- To identify fossils and group rocks accordingly.
Working scientifically
- To use the fossil record to answer questions about the past.
Success criteria
Knowledge
- I can identify fossils in rocks.
- I can group
This content is for subscribers only. Join for access today.
National curriculum
Science
Rocks
Pupils
This content is for subscribers only. Join for access today.
Cross-curricular links
British values
-
This content is for subscribers only. Join for access today.
Before the lesson
This content is for subscribers only. Join for access today.
Lesson plan
Recap and recall
Choose the most scientifically accurate short film the pupils produced in Lesson 3: Fossil formation and play it to the class. Ask the children to discuss with a partner the following questions:
This content is for subscribers only. Join for access today.
Extended-mode explainer videos
How to extend your display to view the lesson page and presentation mode simultaneously. Choose your operating system below to watch the video
If you need further support with extending your display,
please contact [email protected].
Extended-mode explainer video: For Mac
Extended-mode explainer video: For Windows
Adaptive teaching
Pupils needing extra support
Could be provided with a pre-cut set of fossils; could use an A3 copy of the Activity: Fossil hunter (one per group), placing the fossils they find in the correct position and using a device to photograph the fossil record created.
Pupils working at greater depth
Should work in pairs (with one member arguing for and one against) to debate the theory ‘the dinosaurs must have all died out after era E as no more dinosaur fossils were found after this point’; could choose an extension activity relating to rocks or fossils from the Resource: Stretch and challenge: Rocks and soil.
This content is for subscribers only. Join for access today.
Assessing progress and understanding
Pupils with secure understanding indicated by: identifying fossils in rocks and grouping
This content is for subscribers only. Join for access today.
Knowledge outcomes
- I can identify fossils in rocks by looking for bits of living things, imprints and patterns.
- I can group rocks that contain fossils.
- I can briefly describe the work of a palaeontologist, including answering questions about types of creatures found in the past, how they behaved and how they changed over time, what the environment and climate were like, the age of rocks and important events.
This content is for subscribers only. Join for access today.
Vocabulary definitions
-
era
A large span of time in Earth's history.
-
fossil record
A collection of all the fossils found that help scientists learn about Earth's history and past life.
This content is for subscribers only. Join for access today.
In this unit
Maintained by: Kapow Primary team
Last update: 26th January, 2026
Lesson 2: Rocks: Physical properties
Testing the physical properties of rocks and linking these to their uses.
Lesson 5: Soil formation
Compare soils and how they were formed and record the drainage rate for different soils...
Lesson 6: Soil layers and earthworms
Using sedimentation to explore the composition of soil and learning about the importance of earthworms.
Lesson 3: Fossil formation
Describing and researching the process of fossil formation.
