How to Start an American Girl Club

The American Girl dolls each represent a period in American History. So it's easy to see why an American Girl Club in your elementary school is a great idea. Girls really get excited about history when it comes from American Girl so educators can tap into this wonderful resource easily and start an after school enrichment club based on the American Girl Collection.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Invite girls in grades 2 to 5 to be involved in your club. Girls in grade 5 make great club helpers.

2. Make sure that everyone knows you do not have to own an American Girl Doll to be in the club. It is open to any girl interested in history.

3. Encourage the girls to bring their dolls to the meetings. Any doll is welcome but she must be prepared to tell about her doll and why it is special to her.

4. Meet two times per month and focus on one time in history at each meeting.

5. Have students sign up to provide a craft from the time period and a snack from the time period that you are studying. You'll need parents to help with this.

6. Prepare students to give a book talk about the doll and time period that they are studying. This can include pictures, posters and doll accessories that they can bring in to show.

7. Plan an end of the year mother daughter tea for your club. This should include a presentation from the girls about all the things they have learned throughout the year.

Tips & Warnings

• Talk to your school district and see if they own an entire collection of the American Girls dolls. If not, contact the America Girl Company and see how to get a set for your school.
• For a special treat, have a year long theme and invite special guests to come in and talk with your girls.

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