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Summary and Objective
The goal of this activity is for students to discover that children of long ago shared similar recreational pursuits --in this case, dolls. Students will look at and compare dolls from the digital collection and then make comparisons of those with dolls of today. Students will understand that many children of long ago didn't have access to store-bought or factory-made dolls. Students will understand that these children had homemade dolls made out of materials that were on hand.
Teaching Plan
Step 1.
The class will view dolls from the digital collection on an LCD projector. Large color copies of the images will be displayed in the classroom. Students will be encouraged to share their observations/comments about each image. Teacher-posed questions may include, "What do you see?", "What do you think it is made of?", "How does this doll make you feel?", "Is this a doll you would like to have?"
Step 2.
Discuss similarities, differences, and reasons why the dolls might have been made that way. Read the captions to the class about each image.
Step 3.
The class will look at dolls each student has brought from home. Chart similarities/differences between their dolls and the dolls of long ago.
Step 4.
Each child will trace a pre-cut, doll-shaped (head, torso, arms, legs), oak-tag pattern (at least 12" long) onto scraps of cloth they've brought in from home. (A plea for extra fabric could be made to families proir to this to cover those who may not have any scraps large enough.) This will be done twice for a front and back.
Step 5.
Lay the two cut pieces of fabric on top of each other with the outsides of the fabric facing in.
Step 6.
Use child-friendly needles and adult volunteers to help the students use a simple running stitch (practice or teach this skill ahead of time). Start at the left armpit of the figure and sew around the edge of it stopping at the beginning of the left leg. Turn the cloth doll rightside out.
Step 7.
Fill doll with pine needles, cotton, or other suitable materials --discussing choices and comparing it to choices of long ago. Stuff filling into head, arms, torso, and legs. Continue the running stitch around the left leg. Adults will help the students tack it closed.
Step 8.
Students will draw a face on the doll with fabric crayons. (Buttons, yarn, or rickrack may also be glued on for added detail.) They will name their dolls and take them home.
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