The Muddy Puddle Teacher

09/10/2026

Let’s get science moving! 🌿🏃

Two hoops, some natural materials and a whole lot of investigating!

Place your hoops well apart and label them FLEXIBLE and NOT FLEXIBLE. Invite children to explore each item, gently test whether it bends, then take it to the matching hoop. 🍃🪵

The learning is in the conversation:
💬 “What happened when you tried to bend it?”
💬 “Did it bend or did it snap?”
💬 “Why have you chosen that hoop?”

A fresh twig might bend while a dry one snaps. Give children time to test their ideas and change their minds!

Use walking feet when carrying sticks or stones; add a run back to collect the next item. 🙌

Simple resources, scientific thinking and heads up, hands-on learning outdoors. 💜

Save this for your next materials lesson!

🌐 www.themuddypuddleteacher.co.uk

LearningThroughMovement

09/10/2026

Two hoops, some numbered cones and space to move! 🏃‍♀️🌿

Let’s take odd and even numbers outdoors with this simple Year 1 maths idea. 🙌

Label one hoop ODD and the other EVEN. Children pick up a numbered cone, move to the matching hoop and place it inside.

But don’t stop at sorting… ask: “How can you prove it?” 💬

Collect that number of stones and put them into pairs. Every stone has a partner? It’s even! One left without a partner? It’s odd!

Movement, maths and opportunities to explain their thinking. Heads up, bodies moving and plenty of mathematical talk! 💜

Save this idea for your next outdoor maths session.

🌐 www.themuddypuddleteacher.co.uk

ActiveLearning

07/10/2026

07/10/2026

Want to know more about our approach? Let me fill you in.

05/10/2026

KS2: The Hoop Method 🟡🔴🔵

Take learning outside with a few hoops and some chalk!

Arrange the hoops in a pyramid shape, then invite children to draw foods in each one. The drawings don’t need to look perfect. The learning grows as children explain what they’ve drawn, how they sorted the foods and why they placed them there.

A simple way to get children thinking, talking and learning together outdoors.

What other KS2 topics could you explore with hoops?

05/10/2026

It’s been a busy day in Bury- and for those of you that want to see the MPT approach in action. Well here you go!

05/10/2026

Sit back and look out sometimes, it really helps you to see what belongs outside and what belongs indoors.

05/10/2026

I really do love what I do. I really, really do working with all of you. Thank you Bury council 🍂❤️🍂

05/10/2026

In outdoor play, adults shouldn’t just stand around — but we don’t need to lead every moment either.

Our role is to notice when children need us, then dip in with purpose:

🌿 Model how to use a resource
🌿 Introduce new words and ideas
🌿 Offer a prompt that might spark play
🌿 Step back when the children’s ideas begin to flow

That balance takes thoughtful observation. We support the play, then give children the space to take it somewhere of their own.

What does dipping in and dipping out look like in your setting?

TheMuddyPuddleTeacher

05/10/2026

What I ❤️ about today:
- We had a range of educators. Even a police officer for one part until we realised she was in the wrong room 😂🙌
- The group was really, imaginative and creative. I was able to leave them to it, really helped me to draw out their inner child.
- The early years staff at Bury are just wonderful.