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Mud has always been a favorite of children. They seem to be attracted to it. It is a valid choice for a science activity. They see it often, but what do we really know about mud?

It begins with an introduction to different types of soil. Collect specimens of sand, clay, potting soil, top soil, peat moss and any other forms of soil that may be available.

Feel the difference in the texture. What is the most common soil in the area? What are the different things that soils are used for? What type of soil makes the best mud?

Indoor activity with mud:
Prepare a fairly stiff mud and put a block of mud, double bagged in a zip lock baggie for each student. Have each student flatten out the mud block inside the baggies. Emphasize that inside the classroom the mud never leaves the baggies. The baggies are to stay closed. Through the plastic practice writing a letter. Smooth out the mud and make another letter or shape.

Outdoor activity:
*Using different types of soil, create mud.
*Make mud pies and bake them in the sun.
*Lay the baggies flat with the last thing carved in them and see how they dry in the bags.
*Make an adobe brick
*Make mud balls and put them in a cooler with a dry ice base. See what happens when mud freezes.
*Make a mud mountain and create erosion.
*Make a mud slide
*What happens to mud when you add a lot of water?
*What happens to mud when it dries out?
*How does mud feel on your feet?

Clean up can be done with something we call clean mud. Tear up pieces of brown lunch sacks. Children love to make confetti so it should be hard to get the job done. Add shavings of Ivory Soap and the amount of water to make it the desired consistency and the let them experiment. It is best if each child has their own tub for the project. Have them make some kind of figure and see if it will dry in that same shape.

It is always a great idea to follow through with reading and singing materials that relate to the science activity.

How this song to the tune of Sing A Song of Sixpence?

Sing a song for mud pie,

It's my favorite brand

Mix it till it's mushy

Squeeze it in your hand,

Put it in a pie tin,

Leave it in the sun.

Wait about an hour

Then you know it will be done!

~

Or perhaps Row,Row, Row Your Boat.

Mud, mud, mud is fun

Watch us stir it up

Round and round and round and round

Mud is fun to make.

Mud, mud, mud is fun

Listen to it squish

Through our fingers, round our toes

Squish is how it goes.

Books are an essential part of early childhood education and these books are great to correlate with mud projects.

*The Piggy in the Puddle by Charlotte Pome

*Mud by Mary Lyn Ray

*Mrs. Wishy-Washy board book by Joy Cowley

*Pigs in the Mud in the Middle of the Rud by Lynn Plourde

*Duck in Muck by Lori Haskins

*The trucks are stuck by Judy Sierra

*Mud, Sand and Water by Dorothy M.Hill

It is important to teach science from the very beginning and mud is a good place to start.

Learn more about this author, Trenna Sue Hiler.
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