Play Dough mats: School Supplies
Recommended Grade Level:
Type of Resource: PDF
Number of Pages: 9
Coordinating Activities
Play Dough Mats: School Supplies
- 10 school supply play dough mats, 2 per page: notebook, pencil, glue, crayon box, scissors, paint, paper clip, clipboard, crayon and glue stick
- Each mat has the supply word
Kids build each school supply with play dough and read the word.
Required Materials:
- Paper, printer and ink
- Laminator
- Paper cutter or scissors
- Play dough
Standards for Vocabulary and Fine Motor
These mats support early learning standards connected to school vocabulary and fine motor control.
Common Core State Standards
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.K.5.C: Identify real-life connections between words and their use (e.g., note places at school that are colorful). Kids find each supply in the classroom.
Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines
- PK4.II.D.1: Child understands and uses a wide variety of words to label and describe people, places, things and actions. Kids name each school supply.
- PK4.IX.B.1: Child shows control of tasks that require small-muscle strength and control. Kids roll and shape play dough for each supply.
Virginia English Standards of Learning
- K.RV.1.F: Use newly learned words and phrases in discussions and speaking activities. Kids use the school supply words.
Play Dough Mats: School Supplies give preschool and kindergarten kids a hands-on way to learn school supply words during back to school.
Each mat shows a school supply, like scissors or a glue stick. Kids build the supply with play dough and read its name.
Use the mats in the first weeks of school to talk about how to use each supply.
How to Use Play Dough Mats: School Supplies
- Print, laminate and cut apart the mats.
- Kids name the school supply.
- Kids build it with play dough.
- Kids read the word with help.
- Kids find the real supply in the room.
Back to School: Talk about how to use and care for each supply.
Fine Motor Center: Set out the mats with play dough.
Easy Ways to Differentiate These Play Dough Mats
Every group has a mix of early learning skills. These simple changes keep the activity familiar while meeting each child where they are.
For Children Who Need More Support:
- Use soft play dough.
- Start with simple shapes like the crayon.
- Name each supply together.
- Show the real supply.
For On-Level Practice:
- Build each supply.
- Read each word.
- Find each supply in the room.
- Tell how to use it.
For an Extra Challenge:
- Write the supply word.
- Add details like a crayon wrapper.
- Sort supplies you use for art and for writing.
- Make a mat for a new supply.
For Speech, OT, ELL or Special Education Support:
- Name each picture together and give plenty of wait time.
- Accept pointing, gestures, AAC or any communication method the child already uses.
- Rolling and pinching play dough builds hand strength.
Play Dough Mats: School Supplies Are Perfect For:
- Preschool and pre-K
- Kindergarten
- Back to school
- Fine motor centers
- Small-group instruction
- Special education
- ELL and multilingual learners
- Homeschool
