Mud is fun!
We love to squish it, sculpt it, and squeeze it!
Mud feels so sweet in between our feet!
Digging, poking, rolling and building,
There's so much to do
with muddy, slimy goo!
Resources for Educators and Caregivers
Learning Goals:
Develop an appreciation of mud
Recognize the components of mud
Recognize the qualities and properties of mud
Recognize that mud is used to make houses in some parts of the world
Recognize that mud can slide and affect people
Activities and questions to ask:
Bring some mud to the children, or take the children to a place with mud. Allow some time for sensory exploration. Possible questions: How can you describe what mud feels like? What can you make or build with mud? What happens when you pour water over it? What does mud stick to?
If it's possible to take children to an outdoor area with mud, allow some time for digging and exploring. What do you think mud made up of? Who lives in the mud? See if you can find worms, pill bugs, millipedes and other bugs. If you are near the sea, see if you can find crabs or clams.
Explain that people have made things from mud for a long time. Questions to ask: What would you like to make wit this mud? What kinds of things do you think people make with mud?
* Pottery, including cups and bowls
* Walls
* Homes
* Buildings: Sana'a in Yemen, the Arg-e-Bam citadel in Iran, the Great Mosque of Djenne, Mali, Poeh Museum Tower in New Mexico
Explain that some plants grow in mud, such as cattails. If it's possible to take children to an area of cattails, take them there to explore what cattails look like, feel like and sound like in the wind.
If it's possible to build a "mountain" of mud, ask the children to help. Put some small objects on the top of the "mountain" and then pour water over the top of the "mountain." Explain that you have created a mud slide, which can happen on real mountains and hills, with houses sliding. Explain that it's important to stay away from mud slide areas. Be reassuring.
Other resources:
Mud! A book by Annie Bailey
Under in the Mud, a book by Laureanna Raymond-duvernell
This House is Made of Mud / Esta Casa esta Hecha de la Lodo by Ken Buchanan
When Life Gives You Mud, Make Science on Edutopia (Landslides with mud)
See this Google Document for printable information.
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Yellow Level for Teens and Adults
Mud is made up of soil and water.
Soil is under the grass that we step on when we are outside.
Mud is sticky and slimy. In some places, plants grow in mud.
Many different kinds of animals live in mud, including worms, pill bugs, millipedes, some kinds of crabs, some kinds of clams, some kinds of shrimp, and even some kinds of fish.
For a long time, people have made things out of mud, such as cups, bowls, houses, walls, and large buildings.
Mud buildings keep people cool when it's hot outside.
Sometimes mud slides down big hills or mountains. It's important to stay away from places where mud is sliding.
Mud is an important substance on Earth.