The Rainbow Fish

The most beautiful fish in the entire ocean discovers the real value of personal beauty and friendship.

Book Author: Marcus Pfister

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Teaching Ideas and Resources:

English

• The Rainbow Fish's scales 'shimmer'. Can you find other words that could be used to describe the scales?
• At one point in the story, the Rainbow Fish becomes the 'loneliest fish in the entire ocean'. Try a role play activity to interview him and find out how he is feeling. Can you suggest things that he could do to find some friends?
• Can you rewrite the story (or a part of it) as a playscript? Could you perform this to others?
• Could you retell this story to others? Watch these videos for inspiration:

• The story includes lots of different types of punctuation. Can you find each type and explain why they have been used?
• A number of adverbs are used in the text, e.g. playfully, carefully. Can you find out what an adverb is and find some more?
• Find out how to write in the first / third person. Can you rewrite the story from the Rainbow Fish's point of view?
• Create a set of instructions to teach people how to look after a pet (rainbow) fish.
• Write a story about a different 'rainbow' animal, e.g. a Rainbow Bird, a Rainbow Butterfly or a Rainbow Chameleon. What might happen to them?
• Can you write a book review of this story to tell others your opinion about it?

Maths

• Try counting the Rainbow Fish's scales. How many are there?
• Look at the illustrations showing the fish's scales. Can you make your own tessellations that look like fish scales?

Science

• Visit a library and find out lots of information about fish. Can you create a report about them?
• Can you find different materials that are shiny, like the Rainbow Fish's scale? What makes them shine and reflective?
• Find out about plants that grow near / around / under water.
• Create a food chain that includes a fish and other sea creatures.

Computing

• Use drawing / painting software to make your own picture of the Rainbow Fish.
• Can you create an animation about a fish?

Design Technology

• Make a 3D model of the Rainbow Fish. Could you make a model of an underwater scene?
• Create your own puppets based on the characters in the story and perform it to your friends.

Art

• The Rainbow Fish's scales are 'every shade of blue, green and purple'. Can you try mixing paint to make lots of different shades of these colours?
• Decorate your own Rainbow Fish image using collage (or other media). Can you find foil and glitter to make your picture sparkle??(see Resources below)
• Draw your own underwater scene, using the sea photos for inspiration?(see Resources below).
• Make your own 'rainbow' animal. Could you create a Rainbow Bird, a Rainbow Butterfly or a Rainbow Chameleon?

Languages

• This book has been translated into over 80 languages. Could you try to translate some of the words / sentences into a different language? Could you try reading one of the translated versions?

PSHE

• Describe the Rainbow Fish's behaviour at different points in the story. How did his behaviour make the other fish feel?
• The Rainbow Fish gives away his most prized possessions. What are your most prized possessions? Why are they important to you?
• Does this story have a moral? What is it? Can you find other stories that have a meaning for the reader?