Grades 3–5
How a Fossil Forms
Number the five steps that turn a dead animal into a fossil, then draw a fossil you would like to find.
Science worksheet · Rocks, soil and fossils
Layers of Soil
Label humus, topsoil, subsoil and bedrock on the diagram, then fill in three sentences.
- Grade level
- Grades 2–4
- Time
- About 20 minutes
- Answer key
- Yes, page 2 of the PDF
- Kids practice
- Rocks and minerals, Soil, Fossils
What kids do
Printed on the sheet:
- 1. Label the layers of soil.
- 2. Fill in the blanks.
- 1. Dead leaves rot into dark, rich
- 2. Plant roots grow in the on top.
- 3. Solid rock at the very bottom is called
Words on this sheet
humustopsoilsubsoilbedrock
Teacher tip
Shake soil and water in a clear jar and let it settle overnight to see layers.
How to use it
- Pass around real rocks and magnifying glasses.
- Show a jar of layered soil and water that has settled overnight.
- Start with a two-minute “I notice, I wonder” talk about the picture on the sheet.
Watch for
Kids may think all rocks are the same age. Some are billions of years old.
Talk about it
- How do you think this rock formed?
- What evidence helped you choose your answer?
Take it further
Start a class rock collection with labels kids write.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More rocks, soil and fossils worksheets
Grades 3–5
Layers of the Earth
Label the crust, mantle, outer core and inner core, then answer three questions.
Grades 3–5
Three Kinds of Rocks
Match igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic to how they form, then sort six rocks.
Grades 2–4
Rock Detective
Look at four rocks: color, shine, texture and a scratch test, then draw your favorite up close.
Free for teachers
Get the free Classroom Drawing Kit
12 printable pages: six step-by-step lessons, a grid activity, draw-and-write sheets and teacher notes, sent with your welcome email. After that, new classroom printables by email.