Teach your child about the meaning and value of the national symbols with this SUPER FUN Play-Doh Lesson!
“I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Hasbro. I received product samples to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation.”
I try to set out a Play-Doh invitation to play at least once a week. This invitation to play includes a variety of colors and one or two additional materials to explore. Sometimes I include stamps, tools, small toys, beads or plastic cookie cutters.
My kids love to roll snakes and smash it through the garlic press to make fake spaghetti. When I’m not looking, they mash it together to see what new colors they can make.
Today, we are sculpting to show our National Pride!
Connect literacy, social studies and creative expression in this 30 minute lesson plan for kids of all ages.
World Play-Doh Day & National Symbol Lesson Plan
Join in the fun! Try this lesson with YOUR children, snap a picture and share it for World Play-Doh day.
Learning objectives:
The students will identify a minimum of 3 national symbols that are unique to our country. They will also be able to verbally explain that a symbol is something that stands for, or represents, something else.
A symbol is something that stands for, or represents, something else.
National symbols do not just represent physical objects and historical events, but thoughts, feelings, and emotions for ones country as well.
Materials Needed:
- Play-Doh
- 2-3 Books on National Symbols
National Symbols Lesson Plan with Play-Doh
Statue of Liberty Play-Doh Sculpture
1. Read and Discuss
Sit down and read your selected books with your child. Explain that the books are non-fiction, meaning that they tell facts about a person, place or event.
“These books are a special kind of book called non-fiction. They were written to teach people more about a particular topic. Today, we are learning about National Symbols.”
Talk
- about the images and the words in each story,
- what the pictures and words represent, and
- why they are important to your family.
2. Select a National Symbol
Encourage your child to select one National Symbol to sculpt with playdough. Look at the image and examine the shapes and colors. Remind the child that their Play-Doh sculpture will be an artistic representation of the actual item. It is OK for it to look a bit different in size, shape, and color.
Bald Eagle Play-Doh Sculpture
3. Sculpt
Spend time creating a Play-Doh representation of a National Symbol.
Teacher and Parent Notes:
Although knowing the USA symbols is a kindergarten foundation, the review is great for older children as well!
For Younger Learners:
- Sculpt along side, modeling how to roll and shape the Play-Doh. Watch me do it, now you try.> Encourage the child to roll stripes. (Adult makes the stars) assemble all into one sculpture.
- Make the sculpture together! (both contributing to the final product, not the adult doing it all!)
For Advanced Learners:
- Consider selecting a particular state to study for older children.
- Have them sculpt and create the state symbols such as the state’s bird, food, and flower.Have them summarize these symbols in paragraph format.
- Encourage them to sculpt a variety of symbols and photograph each one. Print the pictures and create a mini DIY book on National Symbols.
Join in the World Play-Doh Day – September 16th!
Sculpt Share
- a landmark,
- cultural icon,
- a food, or
- patriotic symbols
We can’t wait to see what you create!
