Play-doh
Personal Powerful Play-doh Pods
1. Buy Play-doh in bulk online. I have 120 students so I had to spend about $70.00 for each kid to have a container.

2. Count out the amount of Play-doh containers you need for each class. Separate the Playdough into bags for each period.

3. Take index cards and WRITE the color of each Play-doh container lid on one index card per class. This was hysterical as my daughter and I tried to distinguish between “bright green” and “seafoam green.”  So now I have a bag of 36 Play-doh containers and 36 index cards that match each color (there are few doubles but not many - lots of crazy colors now!).
4. Go to your classroom and place one Play-doh container on each desk on top of a paper plate. I use the cheap plates that are thin and easy to write on. I have my desks in groups of four (I call them “Ohana pods”), and this lesson will connect to that number. Make sure there are no doubles in color - each kid in a group should have a different color.
5. On the first day, greet each kid at the door with a smile and an index card with a color. Tell them to match that color with a container of Play-doh and they have found their seat. I love this way of seating them for two reasons: they are not allowed to clique or group up with friends. This inevitably leaves some kids feeling alone and sad, and two it’s not a “seating chart” that you have created. It’s fun and leaves lots up to chance. I think it is the perfect blend of control and fun.

6. Once they have found their seat, ask them to write their first name LARGE on the perimeter of the paper plate. I also have them do a tri-fold name tent on a separate piece of paper. My focus on that first day is NAMES, NAMES, NAMES! 
7. Now, without too much explanation, announce that they have 15 minutes to create something that represents who they are. The rules: they must use all of the colors in their Ohana pod. They can distribute colors anyway they like, but each creation should use all four colors of Play-doh. They also must memorize the three members of their group’s names. Ask that they put their phones away during the creation process and tell them we will be using them later.
8. Play some fun upbeat music during the 15 minutes and start working the room! (I enjoy 80s New Wave personally - Go, “Duran Duran”!). This is where I will float around and observe and chat with each of my groups, memorizing their names as I go. I carry a clipboard with my role sheet and take notes on their hair style, clothing, eye color, Play-doh creation, or something cute they may have said. This is also the time I observe who my shy kids are, my true artists, my rascals, my school haters, my flirts, and any other category you can come up with. I am a sociologist and these are my subjects.
9. At the end of the 15 minutes, have the kids write a title for their artwork on the perimeter of their paper plate (continuing from where they wrote their name). Now join two groups together (totaling eight kids now) and have them explain their creation to the new group. How does it connect to their life? How does it represent them?

10. After all groups have finished sharing, have the groups nominate three people who should share their creations whole class (the artists will have the choice to do this or not - I respect their right to pass on the 1st day). 
11. This should allow for about 12 whole class presentations (usually resulting in your more outgoing kids and allowing the shy kids to avoid a panic attack). Whole class presentations come later in the school year when they are more comfortable.
12. Once the 12 or so presentations are done, we find space in back (you do need to create space!) and have kids place their creations next to each other. Then the whole class does a “gallery walk” (two groups at a time) to see everyone’s work of art.

Community Building & BOY Activities