Rocks are all around us — in mountains, beaches, buildings and under our feet. There are many kinds, from hard granite to soft chalk. Some rocks hold fossils: the remains of plants and animals that lived millions of years ago.
What your child will learn
- Compare rocks by how hard they are and whether they let water through
- Describe how fossils are formed
- Know that soil is made from rock and dead plants and animals
- Know about Mary Anning and fossil hunting
How a fossil forms
When a plant or animal dies, it can be buried in mud or sand. Over millions of years, layers build up and harden into rock, and minerals slowly replace the bones or shell, leaving a stone copy. Mary Anning found famous fossils on the English coast when she was still a child.
Example questions
Here are a few questions like the ones in the first quest. Can you solve them?
1. True or false? Rocks can be different colours and shapes.
Show answer
Answer: True. Rocks come in many colours, sizes and textures.
2. What do we call scientists who study fossils?
- Palaeontologists
- Chefs
- Pilots
- Astronauts
Show answer
Answer: Palaeontologists. Palaeontologists dig up and study fossils.
3. What is a fossil?
- The remains of a living thing turned to rock
- A type of soil
- A shiny stone
- A kind of plant
Show answer
Answer: The remains of a living thing turned to rock. Fossils are traces of ancient living things preserved in rock.
Tips for grown-ups
- Collect different pebbles and test them: do they scratch? do they soak up water?
- Visit a museum to see real fossils.