Fuzzy Mud by Louis Sachar

Title: Fuzzy Mud

Author: Louis Sachar

Lexile Level: 700L

Grade:  6^th-8^th

Genre:  Science Fiction

 Summary/Learning Activity: In Fuzzy Mud, Woodbridge Academy students Marshall and his neighbor Tamaya stumble upon a sludgy, goopy substance with yellow fur on top while trying to avoid their bully, Chad Hilligas. The matter turns out to have hazardous, rash-like properties, and soon after, an entire town’s transportation systems have been shutdown and quarantined. The book focuses on eco-disasters, and with current talks about climate change and environmental destruction, this is a great tie-in for any science lecture. For this learning activity, I would task students with looking into any type of eco-related topic mentioned in the book including solutions to air pollution, animal cloning, modified crops, or invasive species. After completing a one-page response, students would share their findings with the class.

 Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.2
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.

 Goal: Students will use a fictional text to research nonfictional, scientific issues

 Objectives:

-Students will be able to read Fuzzy Mud and expand on the text’s commentary on conservation topics, writing a single page about a mentioned environmental issue  (Cognitive)

 Outcome: Students will have developed a knowledge base about an eco-issue that inspired the text