1. By Teacher Name School Mudcracks: A Clue to Earth’s Past 1.Predict what environments are needed to form mudcracks. 2.Students predict what will occur before activity is initiated (what will the dried mud look like. 3.Collect or make mud and place ½ inch to 1 inch of mud on shallow aluminum pan. 4.Dry in oven at 250-300 degrees until dry or on electric stovetop at low setting until dry, or air and sun dry it. (Drying outside in the sun allows for potential evidence of animal trails, tracks, or borrowing.) 5.Add loose sediment (such as fine sand) to show how cracks fill in as layers form. 6.Add another layer of mud to dried layer. Allow this layer to dry. 7.When dry, slowly separate the two layers of mud. 8.Have students record observations made about the two layers when separated. 9.How can these observations be used to identify which way is up? 10.How would a geologist use fossil mudcracks to tell if a layer of rock was folded. 1.Predict what environments are needed to form mudcracks. 2.Students predict what will occur before activity is initiated (what will the dried mud look like. 3.Collect or make mud and place ½ inch to 1 inch of mud on shallow aluminum pan. 4.Dry in oven at 250-300 degrees until dry or on electric stovetop at low setting until dry, or air and sun dry it. (Drying outside in the sun allows for potential evidence of animal trails, tracks, or borrowing.) 5.Add loose sediment (such as fine sand) to show how cracks fill in as layers form. 6.Add another layer of mud to dried layer. Allow this layer to dry. 7.When dry, slowly separate the two layers of mud. 8.Have students record observations made about the two layers when separated. 9.How can these observations be used to identify which way is up? 10.How would a geologist use fossil mudcracks to tell if a layer of rock was folded. Two 45-minute class periods None listed Achieve an understanding of how sedimentary deposits, such as mudcracks can form clues to the Earth’s past. Determine how infilled mudcracks can be used to determine “which way is up? Achieve an understanding of how sedimentary deposits, such as mudcracks can form clues to the Earth’s past. Determine how infilled mudcracks can be used to determine “which way is up? Shallow aluminum pans (suitable for oven or stovetop heating) or styrofoam plates or trays Mud with a consistency of thick pudding Shallow aluminum pans (suitable for oven or stovetop heating) or styrofoam plates or trays Mud with a consistency of thick pudding Results of mudcrack study in a journal should include: a.Descriptions of the activity; b.The predicted results; c.The observations made; d.Conclusion based on what was learned about mudcracks and how they can be used to interprete the Earth’s past. Results of mudcrack study in a journal should include: a.Descriptions of the activity; b.The predicted results; c.The observations made; d.Conclusion based on what was learned about mudcracks and how they can be used to interprete the Earth’s past. None listed If the opportunity allows, take the students outside where existing mudcracks have formed so they can make conparisons. The most exciting opportunity, if conditions allow, would be to air dry your mud, so the students can observe the trails of life forms in it. Objective Materials and Equipment Materials and Equipment Time Procedures Assessment Further Challenges Further Challenges Overview Teaching Suggestions Safety Note