More Mudpies to Magnets: Science for Young Children [Paperback]

Robert A. Williams (Author), Robert E. Rockwell (Author), Elizabeth A. Sherwood (Author), Laurel J. Sweetman (Illustrator)

Book Description

Develop the natural scientist in every child with 260 science activities.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

More Mudpies to Magnets is filled with easy-to-use, hands-on, science experiments and activities. The instructions are clear and the results will hold the attention and excite the imagination of young children. The science skills developed by the activities in this book include:

Classification-Skills in grouping, patterning, and ordering. Children naturally enjoy grouping things by similarities.

Measuring-What is bigger? Longer? Wider? Children are fascinated by this basic step in the scientific method. Develop simple tools to measure everyday things.

Using Space and Time Relationships-As children grow, one can watch their sense of space and time expand. How do things change over time? How long does it take for a seed to sprout? For children to grow taller?

Communication-Very young scientists love to tell about their discoveries. The thrill of sharing and comparing scientific discoveries develops their language and pre-reading skills.

Predicting and Inferring-For most Adults, this is the practical side of scientific discovery. One guesses and then know that certain things are likely to happen in certain ways. How tall will the plant be next week? You can make a prediction, and then check to see if it was is correct.

Numbers-The use of numbers is central to beginning science discoveries. In experiments that are fun to do, children are learning mathematical concepts that provide a base for future learning.

About the Author

Dr. Bob Rockwell is a Professor and Program Director of Early Childhood Education (Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville). He has extensive experience as a writer and trainer in science, nutrition, and child development, and parent involvement. Dr. Bob Williams is a Professor of Science Education (Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville). He is currently directing a National Science Foundation grant developing materials on river studies for use by high school students. Elizabeth Sherwood has worked with young children in a variety of early childhood and alternative school settings. She is Coordinator of the AT RISK Pre-Kindergarten Program in Collinsville, Illinois. These three authors have previously co-authored three other books: Hug a Tree and Other Things to Do Outdoors With Young Children, Mudpies to Magnets: A Preschool Science Curriculum, and Everybody Has a Body.

Product Details

• Paperback: 204 pages
• Publisher: Gryphon House (July 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0876591500
• ISBN-13: 978-0876591505
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #265,760 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

124 of 125 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous one-page experiments with good science explanations, January 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: More Mudpies to Magnets: Science for Young Children (Paperback)

This book and the original Mudpies to Magnets are my best choices for simple, one-page science activities. These science books and experiments were clearly written with the parent or teacher in mind. Although the books contain a wealth of knowledge and experiments, none of the material is overwhelming for the adult participant. The experiments themselves require only inexpensive, household materials. And each of the experiments that we have tried are fun. One caveat: Ignore the age rankings as a wide variety of children (up to age 10) can enjoy all the experiments in these books...from The Science Spiders(TM) Newsletter.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous!, February 25, 2003

By 

violet (PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: More Mudpies to Magnets: Science for Young Children (Paperback)

We LOVE this book!
The world of quality science books for very young children is sadly lacking. Mudpies to Magnets definitely fills a huge void. The book is detailed, clear, accurate, and age appropriate. Don't think this book is strictly for young children, older ones enjoy it as well. It really helped reinforce concepts in a real, fun way. If your kids are struggling with science or think its 'boring' you definitely need this book.

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great science intro for young kids!, June 20, 2001

By 

Peregrinn - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: More Mudpies to Magnets: Science for Young Children (Paperback)

I love this book! It is a great introduction to science for young kids, beginning with pre-school age. Sensible focus on asking questions, observing and measuring phenomena. Uses a child's natural curiosity about the world all around and harnesses it to encourage the systematic thought on which science is based. I will be teaching a science class for my daughter's Montessori class every two weeks and will take many (most?) of my lessons from this book!