Module 2Playdough in
mathematics teaching
A new dimension of learning
Introduction
Playdough is soft and malleable yet it holds its shape well, so it is a great resource for
constructing geometric shapes and models.
Playdough is an excellent resource to use in the mathematics classroom. Learners can:
• form numerals from playdough
• use it to make 2-dimensional shapes
• model 3D shapes
You will particularly appreciate playdough's value when using it to teach 3-dimensional
shapes like cubes, pyramids, cones and spheres.
When learners make solid 3-dimensional shapes from playdough you can instruct their
handling of the dough. You can ensure that they manipulate the playdough to derive the
full fine motor benefits. They will roll, push, pinch and squash the dough to form the
shapes.
You can make 3-dimensional frame shapes using straws or sticks and playdough. The
straws are used for the vertices and are joined with small balls of playdough. Learners
will also realise that spherical shapes cannot be made in this way.
Creating shapes
Theory
Playdough is soft and malleable yet it holds its shape well, so it is a great resource for
constructing geometric shapes and models.
2- and 3-dimensional shapes
Shapes are all around us. Shapes that are 'flat' are called 2-dimensional shapes (2D).
Shapes that take up space are called 3-dimensional shapes (3D). Playdough is a fun
and creative way to create shapes.
Learners will find that constructing 3D shapes is more challenging that making 2D
shapes. Guide learners as they construct their 3D shapes and provide opportunities that
help them discover the difference between solid shapes and frames. Solid shapes are
'filled' while frames are 'empty'.
Structured or free
Free play with playdough is extremely valuable because learners can be creative. And
when they play freely in a group they communicate about the processes and outcomes
they experience.
Structured play helps learners develop in other ways. When you guide the construction
of 2D and 3D shapes you can target and activate specific muscles.
Using both hands
Fine motor development is dependent on using both hands together in a co- ordinated
way (called bilateral co-ordination).
Everyday examples of bilateral co-ordination include:
• using a knife and fork
• tying shoelaces
• rolling out dough with a rolling pin
• holding a school book down with one hand while writing with another
Step by step
Practitioner guidelines
You should give learners specific instructions on how to make geometric shapes and
models.
Sphere
• Learners should roll the dough into a ball between their palms.
Cylinder
• First, learners need to roll a ball (sphere).
• Then they need to roll the ball between their palms until it gets longer.
Rectangular prism
• Learners must first make a sphere.
• Then roll it into a cylinder.
• They must then put a cylinder onto the mat and push down to flatten the curve
into four sides.
Cube
• First, the learner makes a ball.
• Then they should put the sphere on the mat and push down gently to flatten the
top and bottom.
• The learners then need to turn it and flatten the left and right.
• And then turn again to flatten the front and back.
Pyramid
• The learner must start with a sphere or cube.
• The learner must hold the shape in their one hand and pinch the dough into a
point.
• Then they can begin to flatten out the sides.
https://youtu.be/WTny5UuK73w
How to use playdough in Grade 3
mathematics lessons
Video summary
In this video, the teacher gives the learners playdough and straws to build 3D shapes.
She starts by showing the learners a 2D shape (a square). She asks them to identify the
shape. Then she asks, “What 3D shape can we make from a square?” “A cube.”
Working in pairs, the learners then decide what 3D shapes they want to make (a
pyramid and a cube). They use small balls of dough to connect the straws into those
shapes.
You can see how this tactile activity develops the learners’:
• fine motor control
• problem solving skills
• understanding of 3D shapes
Explore geometric shapes
CAPS links
Manipulating playdough reinforces fine motor skills. At the same time learners can
explore the properties of 2D and 3D shapes. Playdough suits tactile learners.
Grade 1 & 2: Mathematics - space and shape
Using focused playdough activities, learners can learn about the range and features of
objects. This helps them:
• recognise and name 3D objects in the classroom and in pictures, for example
ball shapes (spheres) and box shapes (prisms)
• describe, sort and compare 3D objects in terms of size, colour, objects that roll,
objects that slide etc.
• observe and build given 3D objects using concrete materials
Grade 3: Mathematics - space and shape
Grade 3 learners can learn about the range and features of objects through focused
playdough activities. This helps them:
• recognise and name 3D objects, like ball shapes (spheres), box shapes (prisms),
cylinders, pyramids and cones
• describe, sort and compare 3D objects, in terms of the 2D shapes that make up
the faces of 3D objects, flat or curved surfaces
• observe and build given 3D objects using concrete materials such as cut-out 2D
shapes
Shaping fun learning
Key messages
Playdough is soft and malleable, yet it holds its shape well, so it is a great resource
for constructing geometric shapes and models.
• Playdough activities help develop fine motor skills and bilateral co-ordination
skills.
• Fine motor skills are the accurate and co-ordinated use of the small muscles in
the hands and fingers to perform actions like drawing and writing.
• Bilateral co-ordination is the skill of using both hands together to perform an
action.
• Learners can construct and understand the properties of solid and frame shapes
using playdough.
• Learners can discover that spheres cannot be constructed as a frame shape.
The study of shapes in mathematics is a creative experience providing opportunities for
conceptual learning such as size, shape and properties of shape.
