2nd grade class project: make your own toy at home and present it in class.

I swear sometimes the school thinks moms have nothing else to do with their time.

It goes on specifying the rubric cube for grading the presentation (isn’t rubric a funny word):

1. Answers the assigned questions
2. Speaks with a loud, clear voice
3. Does not fidget
4. Does not go off topic
5. Holds the audiences eye contact

Oh come onnn!! You are talking about a bunch of 7 year olds. Based on the above rubric, I will fail miserably if I was assessed in public speaking.

But my daughter, bless her soul, was actually excited about this project.

Me: So honey what do you want to do?

DD: I want to do play dough. I saw the video on YouTube and its sooo cooool. (everything is so cool to her these days.)

Me: I don’t think that’s what they had in mind honey. Look at the picture on top of the paper. I think they want us to make a doll or a robot or anything like that. You know build it with egg cartoon or with foam balls and stuff.

DD: No mom, they said toy and play dough is one of the best toys in the world. So we are making play dough. I already made up my mind.

Me: Ok ok boss, come on show me the video and lets start.

So she showed me a very cool video made by Nicko’s Kids DIY channel on YouTube. Here’s how we did it:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups plain flour
• 2 cups water
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp cream of tartar
• 1 cup of salt
• Food coloring (optional)
• Gloves (unless u want rainbow hands for a week)

Steps:

1. Mix all the ingredients (except food coloring and gloves of course) over a low heat.
2. Keep on mixing until it thickens and forms a “clump of dough”
3. Place the clump of dough on a cookie sheet (or anything you’d like to use so you won’t get your tabletop dirty).
4. Section dough into pieces, add food color to each piece and knead it through. (use gloves for easy cleanup)

DD: Mom I saw in another video that this play dough is edible, is it?

Me: Yeah it means if your baby sister plays with the play dough and has a taste of it by mistake, it won’t harm her because it’s all natural, no chemicals or stuff like that.

DD: So can I eat it?

Me: No, why would you want to eat play dough?!

DD: But pleeeaaassseeee mmooooom they said it’s edible.

Me: You won’t eat a tomato but you’re whining to eat play dough??

DD: Yes! Can I at least taste?

Me: Trying to ignore. Let’s put it in zip lock bags and practice the presentation.

 So we got a B+ on the project. I’m not sure if my DD fidgeted, didn’t hold and keep eye contact, or play dough is not considered a ‘toy’, but I am so proud of her for sticking to her guns and making the thing she wanted.

DD: I told you mom! Everyone in the class loved it and they all wanted to play with a piece of my play dough, no one wanted to play with any of the other toys. My toy is the best. Thank youuu mom!! You are soooo cooool!