World Play-Doh Day & National Symbols Lesson Plan

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.”

After sculpting, snap a picture of your child’s sculpture and share it
shared directly to the official Play-Doh Facebook page wall between August 16^th and September 14^th for your chance to be featured on #WorldPlayDohDay! 

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. Read below for more details!Hasbro (Play-Doh) WebsiteFacebook Twitter, Instagram 

Hashtag: #WorldPlayDohDay

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

Stop by the Play-Doh Facebook anytime before September 14th and share a picture of your sculpture!  

THE details:

1. Sculpts must be shared directly to the official Play-Doh Facebook page wall between August 16^th and September 14^th.
2. Any sculpts submitted before or after said dates will not be considered.
3. Sculpts cannot feature brand names, characters or pop-culture icons. 
4. Sculpts should be appropriate for a kid-friendly audience. 

1. You are encouraged to use your imagination and share your national pride with sculpts of landmarks, cultural icons, food, patriotic symbols, etc.
2. Share as many sculpts to the Play-Doh Facebook page as you would like, and invite your family and friends to do the same. 

Select sculpts will be chosen as part of the #WorldPlayDohDay Parade that will be featured on the Play-Doh Facebook page on September 16^th.

We can’t wait to see what you create!