Formation With Playdough

Tenna Davis                    Douglass Math And Science Academy
                               543 N. Waller
                               Chicago IL 60644
                               (312) 534-6176

Objectives:

*This project can be altered for K-8.  

Students will be able to understand the difference between solids, liquids, and 
gases. 
                                     
This project is geared to enhance student familiarity with solids, liquids, and 
gases.        

Material Needed:

Flour                        Salt

Oil                          Food Coloring or Tempra Paint   
  
Plastic Gloves               Aluminum Pans 

Measuring Cups               
   
Strategy:

Students will do the following procedure by using simple methods of measuring. 
The students will perform the tasks of taking the material at hand and following 
the order of events for the material to be combined together.  The students will 
not add or take away from the ingredients; in doing so the project will not form 
and they will have failed at the procedure. 
                           
                         Ingredients

               3 cups of flour     1/3 cup of oil
               1 cup of salt       1 cup of tempra paint 
               1 cup of water      or 1 bottle of food coloring
 
Note:
Students should have plastic gloves on before following the given procedure.

Mix 3 cups of flour along with 1 cup of salt in a aluminum pan.  Use your hands 
to mix thoroughly.  Then add 1/3 cup of oil to the pan.  Next add 1 cup of water 
then the food coloring or tempra paint (* Note paint adds better color to the 
dough.)  Knead dough until you can separate it off into sections for forming. 

Performance Assessment:

3 = exceeds assessment - texture is firm and color is spread evenly 
2-1 = meets assessment - texture slightly lumpy color blotch
0 = does not meet assessment - texture did not mix or form