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):
- Answers the assigned questions
- Speaks with a loud, clear voice
- Does not fidget
- Does not go off topic
- 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:
- Mix all the ingredients (except food coloring and gloves of course) over a low heat.
- Keep on mixing until it thickens and forms a “clump of dough”
- Place the clump of dough on a cookie sheet (or anything you’d like to use so you won’t get your tabletop dirty).
- 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!
