Salt Maps

Hi! Welcome to Barb's (art) thought of the day! I hope you'll check in often to see what's going on in the art room and to exchange ideas. Tonight I'm getting ready for salt maps in fourth grade at Currier Memorial. Making salt maps, or play dough maps, is part of a lesson that integrates art and geography. Tomorrow students will show what they have learned with Ms. Gibeault about the geography of Vermont by building relief maps. We'll be building up mountain ranges and carving out rivers while locating the key features of our state such as: Lake Champlain and the Champlain Valley, the Green Mountains, the Taconics, the Connecticut River and the Connecticut River Valley, and more. But, tonight I'm making play dough. Lots and lots of play dough. While I'm at it I thought I might share my favorite play dough recipe with you.

Barb's Tried and True Play Dough Recipe

4 Cups all purpose flour
2 Cups salt
4 Cups water
8 teaspoons cream of tartar
4 Tablespoons cooking oil
Food Coloring (optional)
Glitter (optional)

Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Mix food coloring in with the water if you are using it. Cook on medium-low heat until the dough forms. Be careful not to burn it. When the dough cools, knead it. Knead in the glitter if you are using it. Place in a sealed bag or container.

Fourth graders will share their salt maps during our school gathering. Above are some some pics of their work in progress. And here we are adding the finishing touches--there's Lake Champlain and Otter Creek!