Rocks and Soil

A 3rd grade student is examining a rock from the school's garden. What question is the student asking about the rock's luster?

• What is the shape of the garden rock?

• What is the color of the garden rock inside?

• How shiny is the surface of the garden rock?

• How much does the garden rock weigh?

Tags

NGSS.5-PS1-3

While playing in the park, John found a rock. Which question would help him understand the texture of the rock?

• How big is the rock John found?

• Where in the park did John find the rock?

• Does the rock John found have different colors?

• Is the surface of the rock John found rough or smooth?

Tags

NGSS.5-PS1-3

While playing in the park, you found a rock. Pick three sentences that are true about the rock you found.

• The rock is very smooth.

• The rock has a dull luster.

• The rock has many colors.

• The rock has a round shape.

• The rock has a rough texture.

You are helping your mom in the garden and you find a soil sample. Can you identify the type of soil?

• silt

• clay

• peat

• sand

During a school field trip, 3rd grader Timmy found a soil sample. The soil was light brown, had large particles that were loosely packed and it was not retaining water efficiently. What type of soil could this be?

• clay

• sand

• silt

• topsoil

During a science class, students were asked to classify a rock they found in the school yard. Which of the following is NOT a method they could use to classify their rock?

• texture

• hardness

• size

• luster

Three types of soil grains are observed under a microscope. Which statement about these soil grains is accurate?

• The grains in loam are both large and small.

• The grains in clay and sand are identical in size.

• The grains in sand are larger than the grains in clay.

• The grains in clay are smaller than the grains in silt.

Imagine you are playing in a park and you notice the soil is red or brown. This usually means the soil has lots of oxygen but not much water. Where in the park would you most likely find this kind of soil?

• At the bottom of a very dry sandbox.

• On the top layer of a dry playground area.

• On the top layer of a wet playground area.

• At the bottom of a very wet pond.

Imagine you are playing in your backyard and you decide to build a small house for your toys using soil and water. Once the soil dries under the sun, it becomes very hard. Which types of soil would you probably use to build this small house?

• clay and loam

• pebbles and silt

• sand and clay

• loam and pebbles

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-1

Imagine you are on a field trip with your class to a park. You see four different types of soils labeled as J, K, L, and M. You have a water bottle with you. If you pour water on each type of soil, which one do you think will absorb the most water?

• J

• K

• L

• M