Play Dough

 Last week, a college friend sent a gift card to use for my classroom. It only took half a day to think of the perfect way to use it! I ordered play dough! It arrived!!

Each student has a small container to fit in his or her desk. The idea, in our current classroom situation, students are spending a lot more time in their desks. The play dough is an opportunity for students to fidget. These first pictures are students trying out their play dough for the first time.

Later, we used it to motivate students. When they finished their work, they were able to play with play dough with their extra time.

In another lesson, Ms. Leom needed a longer lesson with the class. She invited all the students, who were interested, to pull it out and play with it on their lap. They could squeeze it, twist it, lump it, roll it, and more in their hands, but the point was not for making formal shapes or a focus on the play dough itself. They needed to be watching the lesson and participating. Over eighty percent of the class were able to handle using the play dough as a fidget tool.

Our hands are out of practice of longer writing. Playing with play dough will help strengthen our hand muscles.

Play dough offers a social emotional component to calm, sooth, and relax. Being creative is also a bonus.

The students might tell you that it was their favorite part of the day, but secretly, Ms. Leom enjoyed every last smile, every last, "Ms. Leom! Come! See what I made!" It was a mutual happy part of our day.