Make a Doll

Objectives

1. To learn about how dolls represent the cultures they come from. (Historical and cultural understanding)

2. To be able to discuss the physical qualities of different dolls. (Perceiving, analyzing and responding)

3. To create a figure using fabric and mixed media. (Creating and performing)

Vocabulary

characteristics - special aspects or qualities that describe a person, animal or object

costume - a style of dress that relates to a particular country or group of people

culture - ways of living that have been developed by a group of people that are passed on through generations

environment- a surrounding area

features- parts of the face such as nose, ears, chin and mouth

representation - making a likeness of, creating one thing that stands for something else

society - a group of people living together as a community

Dolls for Younger Children

Materials

fabric 8" x 6"

Fabric 6" x 16"

newspaper

pipe cleaners or string

glue

beads

pom poms
|
sequins

Motivation
Begin by asking your students, "What is a doll?" Continue the discussion with additional questions: What are dolls for? Why are they important? What kind of dolls do you like to play with? Is it important to play? Why else do people have dolls?

Present the students with several different types of dolls. They could be dolls from your personal collection or ones that the children bring in from home. Discuss the different characters, their physical qualities, how they were made and what they tell us about the culture from which they come. Then ask a questions like: "How can we make a doll using materials we have available to us?"

Procedure

1. Lay fabric out on the table Roll up a piece of newspaper into a ball. Place it in the center of the 16" x 16" fabric.

2. Gather the fabric around the ball. Tie it with string.

3. Roll the 8" x 6" fabric into a cylinder.

4. Attach it to the neck with a pipe cleaner.

5. Separate the fabric under the arms to make legs. Tie the feet.

6. Use beads,buttons, sequins and pom poms to decorate.



Bendable Dolls for Students 9 years and up.

Materials:

newspaper

bailing wire- 2 pieces about 18" long

masking tape

fabric strips

fabric 8 "x 8"

feathers

buttons

beads

glue

scissors

pom poms

pipe cleaners or string

Procedure:

1. Roll newspaper into a long tube

2. Fold wire over the end and twist it together (think candy cane)

3. Repeat. You should have two.

4. Cross the sticks in the middle. Twist them together so they stay together. Tape the top and the bottom.

5. Crumple newspaper to make a head. Tape it to the body.

6. Cover the head with the 8" x 8" fabric. Secure with a pipe cleaner. Wrap fabric strips tightly for skin.

7. Decorate with extra fabric, buttons, beads, etc.


Evaluation

Have students share their dolls by introducing them to the group. A simple, 'Hi, my name is Sandstorm and I live in the desert I have a pet scorpion and I like to eat cactus." is great.

Create a doll display. Have students write labels that describe their dolls. They can include information about their identities, clothing and methods of construction. Pin the dolls onto the bulletin board or display them on a shelf with the appropriate labels.

Extension and Connections
Use the dolls as a basis for a story or a play. Have students create names and identities for their dolls and them create a plot. They can write their story or play and read or perform it in front of the class. (Language arts)

Create drawings or collages with the dolls as their subject. Have your students pose their dolls, then draw them in their positions or make torn paper collages which describe the way they look. Display the work with the dolls and discuss the relationships between the three-dimensional and two-dimensional work (creative arts).

Have students pick a country or cultural group to study. They can find images of dolls or actual dolls form the countries or cultures of choice. Students then research the costumes and cultural traditions and report on their findings (social studies)

Have students weigh and measure the dolls they made. Then make diagrams that illustrate the commonly shared characteristics such as eye color, hair color, height, weight, etc. (mathematics).

Have students research dolls from different countries or culture groups and create maps that describe where they live (geography).

Have students investigate doll costumes and what they are made from. They an list the raw materials and note whether most of them come from plants or animals. Discuss the relationship between costume and environment (science).


Doll Bibliography | Mask Project | Puppets | Architecture