Meet some rocks
Rocks are natural materials from the ground. There are many kinds. Chalk is white and so soft that it leaves a mark. Marble is hard and smooth, and it can be shiny. Granite is very hard, and you can see little bits of different colours in it. Slate is smooth and usually grey, and it splits into thin flat sheets. Coal is black, and it can be burned. Different rocks look and feel different, so people use them for different jobs.
| rock | how it looks or feels |
|---|---|
| chalk | white, soft |
| marble | smooth, hard, shiny |
| granite | very hard, with little bits in it |
| slate | grey, smooth, thin sheets |
| coal | black, can be burned |
Rock hunt (with an adult): collect three or four small rocks from outside or from a box of stones. Look with a magnifier. Is each one rough or smooth? Dark or light? Can you see small bits in it? Rub the rocks with a coin or your fingernail to see which are harder and which are softer. Put your rocks in order from softest to hardest. Wash your hands afterwards.