Activity using The Rainbow Fish book

Plan:

Originally from "A to Z Teacher Tips - Favorite Book Activites"

One of my favorite books to read each year is The Rainbow Fish. Instead of reading it to my K-2 language impaired students at the beginning of the year, I find it most helpful at the end of the year, when they are beginning to weary of the manners and kind attitudes they've displayed all year.

First we read the book, remembering to stop at each page to summarize and to answer why questions about the characters and actions. Then we discuss what we would do if we were the Rainbow Fish--share a scale or keep it? We vote on what our responses would be, discuss the reasons and then stop reading at that point to better build the suspense. Then we return to the book once more to complete the story.

After reading, we will critique the book using our star/skunk critiquing form, draw a picture detailing the story and our response to it. We also will role-play being friends. This is best accomplished if another adult is available to model the wrong behavior so that the children can explain how friends should act.

Copyright 1999 Mary Ann Stewart.