Magic Dough

Materials

plain playdough

food coloring

placemat or table covering to protect table, if needed

tray

Instructions

1. Trace the different shapes of the blocks onto matching construction paper.
Cut them out. Make sure that there is plenty of each shape available.
2. Sit with a child in the Construction Zone and ask if you may make a "blueprint" of
her block creation. Proceed if given permission.
3. Recreate the child's work by gluing cutouts of the blocks that match the first
layer of the child's building on a piece of paper.
4. Repeat this process on a new piece of paper for the second layer of blocks.
Continue with a new sheet of paper for each layer of the child's building.
Number the pages as you go.
5. Let the child name her creation and make a cover for the blueprint book.
Staple all the pages together.
6. If there are enough blocks, recreate the building using the blueprint book.
Encourage the child or children to compare the buildings as they build the
second one.
7. Leave the materials in the block area for the children to make their own
blueprint books. (Some children may need more assistance than others.)
Leave the blueprint books in the block area for other children to follow.