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Notes for Teachers

Context: This lesson takes place in a classroom for 45-60 min.
Students work in small table groups of 4.
An emphasis on collaborative effort to complete the recipe and produce the dough product.
Problem solving encouraged, adjusting as needed (too wet- add starch, too dry- add lotion).
Facilitate student reflection on the team effort, and comparing the results using 5 senses.

List of Materials:

Corn starch
Lotion, 3 bottles, different brands
Mixing bowls, one per table
Mixing spoons, one per table
Paper cups, small-medium, 3 per table
Jumbo craft stick, one per table
Tempera paint, or food color (optional)
Eco-friendly glitter (optional)

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NGSS Standards

Core Ideas For Knowing Science:

U2: The knowledge produced by science is used in engineering and technologies to solve problems and/or create products.

Cross-cutting Concepts:

Cause and Effect

ELA Kindergarten

W.3

With guidance and support from adults, use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to narrate a single event or several loosely linked events, tell about the events in the order in which they occurred, and provide a reaction to what happened.

AZ K ELA and Science Standards

Science Standards:

Student investigations focus on collecting and making sense of observational data and simple measurements

K-2-ETS1-1. Ask questions, make observations, and gather information about a situation people want to change to define a simple problem that can be solved through the development of a new or improved object or tool.

Science and Engineering Practices:

ask questions and define problems
develop and use models
plan and carry out investigations
analyze and interpret data
use mathematical and computational thinking
construct explanations and design solutions
engage in argument from evidence
obtain, evaluate and communicate information

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Objectives:

Today we will ask questions, carry out an investigation as a group, work as a team to follow a simple recipe, adjust ingredients as needed, and compare the final products, to complete a engineering design challenge.

We will use our 5 senses to compare and determine which lotion produces the best Cloud Dough (sight, smell, touch).

We will draw and write about our investigation to plan, reflect, and share our learning. This can also be done at a later time.

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Agenda: 45-60 minutes

Introduce the lesson: How can we make the best Cloud Dough? (Ask)

Five Senses Read Aloud (Imagine)

Model the Activity (Plan)

Hands-on Student Activity (Create/Experiment)

Group Sharing (Improve)

Student Reflections/Journaling

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How can we make the best Cloud Dough with ingredients from our neighborhood Walmart and Dollar Tree stores?

In Kindergarten we use a lot of playdough! "Cloud Dough", sometimes called "Snow Dough", is easy to make with only 2 basic ingredients, lotion and cornstarch. We wondered what kind of lotion would work best and if we could use lotion from stores near our school?

Homemade Cloud Dough with Claire Laster�Homemade Cloud Dough!

Super Soft Cloud Dough from Creative Ideas�Super Soft Cloud Dough Recipe | How to make Play Dough at Home | How to make Air Dry Clay at Home

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How will we know which recipe is the best?

How can we make our own Cloud Dough?

What ingredients will make the best Cloud Dough?

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

5 table groups of 4 students, paper table covering recommended.

The recipe calls for 1 cup of lotion and 2 cups of corn starch. You can use standard cups, or half cups, or non-standard cups, depending on available materials and desired batch size.

Teacher models the process with a quick demonstration of combining wet (liquid) and dry ingredients to make a batch of Cloud Dough, while discussing "cause and effect" and how to adjust if the batch is too dry or sticky, depending on the lotion. Each student can take a role on the "Table Group Roles Sheet".

1.) 1 part (cup) lotion: 1 student will pour the lotion into one cup, while another student holds the cup and watches it fill. 1 part lotion goes into the mixing bowl, the craft stick can help scrape it all out. Optional paint or eco-glitter can be added to the lotion and mixed in.

2.) 2 parts (cups) cornstarch: 2 students will each fill one level cup of corn starch, with a spoon to prevent dust, and pour in the mixing bowl.

Materials for each table group:

1 container of cornstarch, and small spoon
1 bottle of lotion (bottle A, B, and C)
3 Dixie-size paper cups
1 jumbo craft sick
1 mixing bowl and mixing spoon
(optional) Table Group Roles Sheet
(optional) eco-glitter and, or ½ tsp of tempera paint, or food coloring

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

3.) Each student gently mixes the ingredients for 30 seconds (students count), and passes the bowl.

4.) When the ingredients are combined, and getting too thick to stir, each student can take out a small handful of dough and knead in their hands until smooth.

Students will discuss and problem solve how the ingredients come together, and what to do if their dough is too sticky or too dry. If the mixture is too sticky, students will add a tiny bit of cornstarch. If the mixture is too dry, students will add a tiny bit of lotion. Students will use their 5 senses to evaluate their dough.

Groups will each share if they had to make any adjustments and how it went.

Options: Table groups can rotate so, students gently smell and feel the other batches. Batches can go into a sensory activity or can be used to build models, so students can decide which is the best dough, or students can take a small amount of batches ABC home to share with families, and decide at home. We sent samples home in snack baggies, labeled A,B, and C, and had families vote on our Class Dojo for their favorite.

Materials for each table group:

1 container of cornstarch, and small spoon
1 bottle of lotion (bottle A, B, and C)
3 dixie-size paper cups
1 jumbo craft stick
1 mixing bowl and mixing spoon
(optional) Table Group Roles Sheet
(optional) eco-glitter and, or ½ tsp of tempera paint, or food coloring

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How to Make Cloud Dough

3. Put in the lotion.

2. Put cornstarch in two cups.

6. Knead with your hands.

1. Put lotion in one cup.

4. Put in the corn starch.

5. Mix it up.

7. Adjust as needed.

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8. What lotion does your class like best?

9. Use your 5 Senses to rate each dough with a 1,2, and 3.

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Student Planning

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Assessment

Observation of students- formative assessment

Table group collaboration- formative assessment

Student planning and reflections- use the reflections students create for assessment on the engineering process

5 Senses Cloud Dough rating sheets

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Differentiation

If students are not experienced with pouring, mixing or cooking in class, this activity could be completed with one small group at a time.

Small batches of material sets could be sent home for family engagement and more practice.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

Substitute 1 part conditioner in place of lotion.

Make "The Best Dollar Tree Cloud Dough" with their "Baby Powder Cornstarch" and any 3 lotions or conditioners.

Use as an introduction to science fair projects or a class project.

If students have ipads, they can take pictures to send home through email, Seesaw, or Class Dojo accounts.

Dough can be used to build models of the Earth and Sky, plants, trees, leaf prints, letters, numbers, 2D/3D shapes, math story problems and so much more!