Rock properties | 5th grade Science Worksheet | GreatSchools - Free Printable
Educational worksheet: Rock properties | 5th grade Science Worksheet | GreatSchools. Download and print for classroom or home learning activities.
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Step-by-step solution for: Rock properties | 5th grade Science Worksheet | GreatSchools
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Rock properties | 5th grade Science Worksheet | GreatSchools
You’re looking at a 4th-grade science worksheet titled “Rock Properties” from McGraw-Hill Education (© Orleans-Kendall Publishing 2015). The goal is to help students understand how different rock properties relate to their real-world uses.
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## 🧩 TASK SUMMARY:
You are asked to:
1. Read the table of rock properties and their definitions.
2. Look at the pictures on the right — each shows a use of rock (e.g., chalkboard, bridge support, etc.).
3. Draw a line connecting each picture to the most important rock property that makes it suitable for that use.
There are 6 pictures on the right and 6 properties listed on the left. You must match each picture to the correct property.
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## 🔍 STEP-BY-STEP SOLUTION:
Let’s go through each picture and match it with the best rock property based on the description.
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> *“Chalk is a type of rock. Observe a piece of chalk and describe all of its properties. Do chalk’s properties explain its use?”*
✔ Best Property: softness
> *Why?* Chalk is soft enough to leave marks on a board without scratching it. It breaks easily when you write — that’s why it works as a writing tool.
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> *Shows a stone arch bridge or pillar supporting weight.*
✔ Best Property: strength
> *Why?* Bridges need to hold heavy loads without breaking. Strong rocks like granite or limestone are used because they can bear weight without crumbling.
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> *Shows a rock in or near water — possibly eroding or resisting erosion.*
✔ Best Property: durability
> *Why?* Rocks near water must resist weathering and erosion from wind, rain, and flowing water. Durable rocks last longer in these environments.
---
> *Shows a structure made of cut stone blocks.*
✔ Best Property: ease of shaping / workability
> *Why?* Builders need rocks that can be cut and shaped into uniform blocks. Limestone or sandstone are often chosen because they’re easy to carve and fit together.
*(Note: “Workability” is listed as “can be cut, carved, shaped; is resistant to water and pollution.” This fits construction well.)*
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> *Shows irregularly shaped stones arranged decoratively.*
✔ Best Property: color
> *Why?* For decorative uses, appearance matters most. People choose rocks based on color, pattern, or texture to match aesthetics.
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> *Shows a big, unworked rock — perhaps in nature or used as a monument.*
✔ Best Property: size
> *Why?* Sometimes rocks are chosen simply because they’re large enough to serve as monuments, markers, or natural features. Size is the key factor here.
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## ✔ FINAL MATCHES:
| Picture (Right Side) | Best Rock Property (Left Side) |
|----------------------------------|--------------------------------|
| 1. Chalkboard | softness |
| 2. Bridge support | strength |
| 3. Rock near water | durability |
| 4. Stone building/wall | workability |
| 5. Decorative rock arrangement | color |
| 6. Large boulder/monument | size |
---
## 💡 BONUS: Science Investigation Answer
> “Chalk is a type of rock. Observe a piece of chalk and describe all of its properties. Do chalk’s properties explain its use?”
✔ Answer:
Yes, chalk’s properties explain its use. Chalk is:
- Soft → easy to write with, leaves marks
- White/light-colored → visible on dark surfaces
- Brittle → breaks easily into small pieces for handling
- Fine-grained → smooth writing surface
These properties make it ideal for writing on boards — especially in classrooms.
---
## 📝 TEACHER’S NOTE (for context):
This activity teaches students to think like geologists or engineers — matching material properties to real-world functions. It reinforces observation, classification, and critical thinking.
---
✔ You’re done! Just draw lines from each picture to its matching property using the matches above. Great job learning about rocks! 🌄⛏️
---
## 🧩 TASK SUMMARY:
You are asked to:
1. Read the table of rock properties and their definitions.
2. Look at the pictures on the right — each shows a use of rock (e.g., chalkboard, bridge support, etc.).
3. Draw a line connecting each picture to the most important rock property that makes it suitable for that use.
There are 6 pictures on the right and 6 properties listed on the left. You must match each picture to the correct property.
---
## 🔍 STEP-BY-STEP SOLUTION:
Let’s go through each picture and match it with the best rock property based on the description.
---
🖍️ 1. Chalkboard with chalk writing
> *“Chalk is a type of rock. Observe a piece of chalk and describe all of its properties. Do chalk’s properties explain its use?”*
✔ Best Property: softness
> *Why?* Chalk is soft enough to leave marks on a board without scratching it. It breaks easily when you write — that’s why it works as a writing tool.
---
🏗️ 2. Bridge with stone supports
> *Shows a stone arch bridge or pillar supporting weight.*
✔ Best Property: strength
> *Why?* Bridges need to hold heavy loads without breaking. Strong rocks like granite or limestone are used because they can bear weight without crumbling.
---
🌊 3. Rock near water / riverbank
> *Shows a rock in or near water — possibly eroding or resisting erosion.*
✔ Best Property: durability
> *Why?* Rocks near water must resist weathering and erosion from wind, rain, and flowing water. Durable rocks last longer in these environments.
---
🏠 4. Stone building / wall
> *Shows a structure made of cut stone blocks.*
✔ Best Property: ease of shaping / workability
> *Why?* Builders need rocks that can be cut and shaped into uniform blocks. Limestone or sandstone are often chosen because they’re easy to carve and fit together.
*(Note: “Workability” is listed as “can be cut, carved, shaped; is resistant to water and pollution.” This fits construction well.)*
---
🧱 5. Rocks stacked as decorative border or garden wall
> *Shows irregularly shaped stones arranged decoratively.*
✔ Best Property: color
> *Why?* For decorative uses, appearance matters most. People choose rocks based on color, pattern, or texture to match aesthetics.
---
🪨 6. Large boulder or natural rock formation
> *Shows a big, unworked rock — perhaps in nature or used as a monument.*
✔ Best Property: size
> *Why?* Sometimes rocks are chosen simply because they’re large enough to serve as monuments, markers, or natural features. Size is the key factor here.
---
## ✔ FINAL MATCHES:
| Picture (Right Side) | Best Rock Property (Left Side) |
|----------------------------------|--------------------------------|
| 1. Chalkboard | softness |
| 2. Bridge support | strength |
| 3. Rock near water | durability |
| 4. Stone building/wall | workability |
| 5. Decorative rock arrangement | color |
| 6. Large boulder/monument | size |
---
## 💡 BONUS: Science Investigation Answer
> “Chalk is a type of rock. Observe a piece of chalk and describe all of its properties. Do chalk’s properties explain its use?”
✔ Answer:
Yes, chalk’s properties explain its use. Chalk is:
- Soft → easy to write with, leaves marks
- White/light-colored → visible on dark surfaces
- Brittle → breaks easily into small pieces for handling
- Fine-grained → smooth writing surface
These properties make it ideal for writing on boards — especially in classrooms.
---
## 📝 TEACHER’S NOTE (for context):
This activity teaches students to think like geologists or engineers — matching material properties to real-world functions. It reinforces observation, classification, and critical thinking.
---
✔ You’re done! Just draw lines from each picture to its matching property using the matches above. Great job learning about rocks! 🌄⛏️
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of properties of rocks worksheet.
