What is weathering? How does weathering affect different types of rocks?
Activities As a general introduction to rocks and how they are worn away, organise an exercise for pupils to match rock types and their descriptions. If possible follow this with simple experiments relating to strength, eg how readily a rock sample crumbles, porosity and reaction with acid. Ask pupils to plan a survey (drawing on their previous experience of enquiry questions and the investigative sequence) of evidence of weathering in the school grounds and buildings. Discuss with them the questions they might investigate, eg Is one side of the school more prone to weathering than another? Which materials are more prone to weathering and were they poorly chosen? Is there a link between the amount of weathering and height? Which types of weathering are most common? Pupils will need to make decisions about how they will record the evidence, eg annotated sketches of parts of buildings, noting process, height and aspect, or a recording grid with suitable column headings. Using appropriate
