Year 3 have had lots of fun exploring rocks. We have learnt about the layers of the earth and how a volcano erupts. We know that there are 3 types of rocks – sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic. We had lots of fun exploring how these rocks are made by making samples of each using chocolate!
Did you know that sedimentary rocks are soft because they are made of different layers of sediment? Sediment is formed by little particles of sand, dead animals, skeletons and plants. Sediment falls to the bottom of the sea and is compressed to make rocks like chalk, coal, sandstone and limestone.
Amazingly, metamorphic rocks are made from sedimentary rocks using pressure and heat. It is true that slate and marble are types of metamorphic rocks. Phenomenally slate is formed from clay, and marble is created from limestone.
Igneous rocks are the hardest types of rocks. Extraordinarily, igneous rocks are rocks that have formed from lava in a volcano. When the volcanos erupt the magma rises up the main vent and explodes out of the crater. As the magma cools it turns and changes into rock. Basalt and granite are both types of igneous rock.
Written by Year 3 Extended Literacy Group.
As part of our topic Rocks and Soils the children had been choosing homework tasks, one of which was making volcanoes. We have had a variety of volcanoes made from dried dough, sushi, plasticine, and models using candles. Wonderful to see children express their creativity!
Year 3B