UNIT 6 – Rocks and Fossils
Duration: 4 weeks
Introduction
An understanding that sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks
contain minerals and are formed by processes that occur within Earth over
a variety of timescales.
In this unit students will
 Understand that the earth is made of layers
 Explain how volcanoes are formed, lava flows and types of rocks
formed by the cooling of lava.
 Understand that different types of rocks are formed by different
processes (sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic) and that they
are a collection of different minerals
 Recognize that some rocks and minerals, such as ores, provide
valuable resources
 Differentiate between weathering and erosion
 Learn about fossils and how they are made
Key Competencies
KEY SKILLS
The Key Skills that students will improve during the completion of this unit
are:
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Know that the earth is made of 5 layers; these layers are of varying
thickness and are at different temperatures
Movement of the crust can cause faults which in turn puts pressure
on the plates leading to earthquakes
Describe how volcanoes are formed
Identify different types of lava flows looking at physical
characterestics
Explain the differences between weathering and erosion and the
importance and types of conservation methods to prevent erosion
Explain how sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks are
formed
identify a range of common rock types using a key based on
observable physical and chemical properties
Give a basic explanation of fossils are formed and how they can be
used to learn about earth’s past
KEY KNOWLEDGE
The key knowledge that students will obtain from this unit are
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The earth is made of different layers, movement of the crust can
cause earthquakes and volcanoes
Pyroclastic material given out when a volcano erupts, will cool to
form different rock types
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Rocks are of different kinds and are made by processes like
weathering, cooling of lava at different temperatures and the types
of substances contained in them
Rocks give important clue to the earth’s past and many of them are
useful as ores – a valuable resource
Fossils give clues to the flora and fauna that existed in prehistoric
times
KEY TERMS
The Key Terms that students will become familiar with the definition and
spelling of during this unit are:
crust
magma, lava
plate
atmosphere
mantle
lithosphere
core
earthquakes
ores
volcanoes
fossils
dormant
active
extinct
igneous rocks
sedimentary
rocks
metamorphic
rocks
weathering
erosion
minerals
conservation
palaentologists
extrusive
intrusive
crater
acid rain
scoria
pumice
sediments
deposits