Play-Doh Ideas: Morning Tubs - Number Sense, Math Facts, & More

Looking for new ideas for morning tubs?  Play-Doh has so many uses in the classroom.
At the beginning of the school year, I like to start the day with Play-doh and cookie cutters.  It is an open-ended activity that students love which means easier good-byes from mom and dad.  Students are engaged, laughing, and chatting with other students at their table which makes it easier for mom and dad to leave.  Best of all, Play-doh warms up their muscles that they will be using for schoolwork.  
Did you know that September 16th is National Play-Doh Day? Mr. McVicker invented play-doh as a wallpaper cleaner. His sister-in-law was a nursery school teacher. She was looking for a project for her class when she found the wallpaper cleaner. Watch this video to see how this teacher influenced Mr. McVicker's company in a big way!
Looking for morning tub ideas? Play-doh, ice tray, and scissors is a fun way to students work on number sense and strengthen fine-motor skills.
Practice math facts with play-doh, scissors, and a deck of cards. Students can write the math fact on a dry erase board.
Add a few odds and ends to your Play-doh tub and let your students' imagination go wild.  Let your students either take a picture of their creation or draw it.  Write words that describe it.

How do you use Play-Doh?





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1 comment

Cristina383 said...

Your website has so many great tools for teachers! My helpful tip is to make sure that students are being able to show their creative side. It is easy for students, including me, to become less creative because we are so focused on following the steps and the rubric to get a good grade. Creativity is the key in not becoming a rubric zombie!