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Science Y2 – Parent Guide
FIERY ROCK
Week 1

Truth to Teach (Source)

1. God’s character is rock-like.

2. Fiery rock from the earth’s mantle forms rock as it cools.

Way to Work (Means)

1. Read the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders. (Matthew 7:24-27)
What is this parable about? The one who put God’s words into practice was like the man building on solid
rock.

Let’s think about the differences between rock and sand. [Have a large rock and some sand for the
children to see and feel.] List what they say on the board.

rock sand

solid runs through your fingers
hard can be blown away etc.

2. The Bible says that God is like one of these. Which one do you think it is? Read the scriptures mentioned
above, and expand on these as appropriate.

3. Just as we can think of God and His word being a secure place on which to stand, let’s think now about
what is actually under your feet. (carpet, cement, soil, rock)

Using a suitable picture or by drawing it on the board, explain about the earth’s crust, the mantle (of very
fiery, hot rock) and the earth’s core (of very hot metal – iron and nickel).

4. Rock is a non-living material. When God made the earth, He didn’t just make one type, but He made rocks
of different colours, different patterns and different hardness. Interestingly, new rocks are being made
all the time, and they are made in different ways. I’m going to tell you about one type today.

5. Some rocks are made from the fiery, melted rock under the earth’s crust. Sometimes this rock forces its
way through the crust, causing there to be a volcano. [Do set any fears at rest, by saying that this sort of
thing doesn’t happen in our country (though as staff we recognise God’s sovereignty). Often scientists
have ways of knowing when a volcano is likely erupt, and people can move away to safety.] When it
reaches the earth’s surface, it cools and hardens into a type of black rock called basalt. This rock has no
crystals in it. The Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland is an unusual example of where the basalt has
solidified into six-sided columns of stone.

6. Pumice stone is interesting, because of its lightness, due to the lava being foamy (like Aero chocolate).

7. Sometimes the fiery melted rock never reaches the earth’s surface, but cools within the earth’s crust.
This is a slow process, allowing crystals to form in the rock. Granite is a good example of this type of
rock. Both granite and basalt are good for building with.

8. Ask the children to complete the cover and first section of their leaflet on rocks. Children could copy
relevant describing words about rocks, which apply equally to God. [steady, strong, a firm foundation, a
safe place, etc.]

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