Mudpies to Magnets: A Preschool Science Curriculum [Paperback]

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

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1987

224 easy, hands-on science experiments to amaze 3 to 6 year olds.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Children are naturally curious. They explore, touch, feel, listen and want to learn. Here are 112 ready-to-use science experiments. Each one provides direct, hands-on learning activities which young children can experience themselves.

The fascinating experiments are grouped under these curriculum units:

On Your Own: Science Center Activities
Building With Science: Construction and Measurement
Science For A Crowd: Circle Time Activities
Paints and Prints: Scientific Art
Wet and Messy: Science For A Special Place
Science To Grow On: Health and Nutrition
Learning About Nature: Outdoor Science
Acting Out Science In A Big Way: Creativity and Movement

Each experiment includes a clear explanation of what happens, a list of words to use for language development, a list of things you will need, a description of what to do, and suggestions of additional ways to extend the activity.

The experiments include:

"Texture Collage: Take Your Fingers For A Walk"
"Put A Rock To Bed"
"Eye Dropper Art"
"Warble, Cheep, or Tweet: Name That Tune"
"What's The Color Of The Day"
"Magical Magnet Masterpieces"
"Pendulum Patterns In The Sand"
"Robots Have Bodies, Too"
"Collect A Mural"
"Ocean In A Jar"
... and over 100 more.

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, Everybody Has a Body, and More Mudpies to Magnets.

Product Details

• Paperback: 156 pages
• Publisher: Gryphon House; First edition (March 1, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0876591128
• ISBN-13: 978-0876591123
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #72,185 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just for preschoolers!, May 21, 2004

By 

"hsmom2two" (Woodland Hills, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mudpies to Magnets: A Preschool Science Curriculum (Paperback)

I just checked out Mudpies to Magnets and More Mudpies to Magnets from our local library. I have heard so many wonderful comments about these books, but wanted to see for myself before purchasing them. They are great! I'm definitely buying them for our home. We will be homeschooling our daugther for kindergarten next year, and these books touch on all the subjects I want to cover - weather, magnetism, geology, plants, human body and senses, and much more. Directions are very clear, experiments and activities are easy to do. This is more than just a book of science experiments - activities utilizing arts and crafts, movement, and language skills are also included throughout. These activities are also very easily adaptable up through early elementary age. Highly recommend these books!

36 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, June 5, 2007

By 

Anne (Baltimore, MD) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mudpies to Magnets: A Preschool Science Curriculum (Paperback)

So disappointing! Like a lot of people I bought this on the recommendation of the Well Trained Mind (which I do like), but I just bought this book and the other book Every Body Needs a Body that it recommends for PreK/K science. I am very disappointed in both of them. So, before you read any farther, if you can go see a copy of this before buying it, I would recommend it--then you would know what you're buying. These books would be good if you were in an actually preschool setting, but a lot of the materials called for are not readily accessible at home and the preparation for a lot of the lessons takes time and space. I liked a few of the ideas that I will integrate into my curriculum, but overall I felt the books were wordy and over the head of my daughter. I would recommend any book by Totline on Science--they are simple, quick, and easy activities for preschoolers. (if you search for Totline and Science on Amazon, you'll get a list of several books to choose from). But, really, all of the concepts that these books address are addressed in Slow and Steady, Get Me Ready, which I highly recommend. It does a much better job and is much more age appropriate--even if you do the activities at an older age than they are recommended for. It is a book for 0 to 5 years old, so if you do an activity at 3 or 4 instead of at 2 years old, it will still work. So, if you're looking for a preschool science homeschool curriculum like I was--I think Slow and Steady and something like one of Totline Science's books are much better choices.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not Bad, Just Okay, February 23, 2008

By 

Vicki Bohn "Internet Shopper" (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Mudpies to Magnets: A Preschool Science Curriculum (Paperback)

I checked this book out from my local library after seeing its recommendation in The book, The Well-Trained Mind. I would not say this is an ideal book for homeschooling families as two of the nine chapters are titled, "Science Center Activities" (pgs. 27-44) and "Circle Time Activities" (pgs. 61-74). The book was written for a preschool or elementary school classroom setting.

In addition, the book is comprised of your basic science activities for preschoolers. If you want something new or phenomenal, you won't find it here. There are activities such as watching a scab heal, observing the full moon and making pennies shiny again. These are very basic activities that you may feel discouraged you paid for, but for people who have a hard time finding something new to do every day or for teachers who want a written curriculum, this book is well organized. Also, those who have not had much exposure to science in their lives, or do not remember it, may not know how much fun it is to play with an amorphous solid (Magic Matter p. 91) and would need something such as this book to remind them.

For each activity, you are told if it's appropriate for ages 2+, 3+, 4+ or 5+. These suggestions are coming from college professors and can give confidence to those parents or caregivers who are unsure of what is & isn't appropriate for the average child.

Preschool science is very simple and I feel that a book is unnecessary, but if you feel you need one, this isn't a bad choice. For homeschoolers, though, I'd also recommend Janice Van Cleave's Play and Find Out About series because they skip the classroom style activities. Amazon sells Janice VanCleave's Big Book of Play and Find Out Science Projects for $13.57. With 224 pages, that ought to keep you busy for a while! = )