The Rainbow Fish is part of our Starts With a Story Collection, which includes more than 550 picture book companions based on high quality children’s literature that support you in delivering highly-engaging interactive read alouds with follow up activities. Learn more about this children’s book below! - Jodi and the Starts With a Story Team
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SUMMARY
"The Rainbow Fish" by Marcus Pfister is a beloved children's book that follows the journey of a beautiful fish with shimmering scales. The Rainbow Fish possesses stunning, multi-colored scales that make him the envy of the other fish in the sea. However, his beauty comes at the price of loneliness, as he refuses to share his scales with others. When the wise octopus advises him to give away his scales in order to find true happiness, the Rainbow Fish embarks on a transformative journey. As he shares his scales one by one, he discovers the joy of generosity and the rewards of friendship. Through its captivating illustrations and gentle storytelling, the book delivers a powerful message about the importance of sharing, kindness, and the true value of inner beauty.
 USE THIS BOOK TO TEACH:
Our read aloud lesson plans for this picture book come with reading comprehension questions (with sample student responses), 30 writing prompts, teaching ideas for grammar skills, social emotional learning discussion ideas, and more. Check out our list below to get a sneak peek at some of the skills this resource teaches.
- Encourage students to use their summarizing and retelling strategies.
- Discuss the different characters in the story and analyze their thoughts and actions.
- Teach a lesson on making connections to enhance comprehension.
- Help students to analyze what the author’s purpose for writing the book might be.
- Discuss the different adjectives used in the book.
- Practice identifying the base of a word.
- Discuss friendship and the qualities that make a good friend.
NO-PREP PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES:
If you are looking for “ready to go” activities for the first day of school, be sure to check out the book companion. With it you’ll receive all of the following resources to align with this specific book:
- comprehension questions
- 30Â writing prompts with themed paper
- vocabulary activities
- word study print & go activities
- ideas for grammar lessons with focus sentence printables
- social emotional learning discussion topics
- graphic organizers to target specific comprehension skills and strategies
This book is a must have for your school or classroom library. Your students are going to love completing these activities for the book and you will be impressed with how much they learn. You will want to read this book to your class every year.
GET THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES
ADDITIONAL BOOK SUGGESTIONS
You and your students will love the similar books listed below, which can all be found in our free picture book list.
- The Pout Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen
- The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
- A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead
- The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney
- Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson
TRY OUT A SAMPLE COMPANION
It's hard to explain how amazing the Starts with a Story book companions are because there is just so much goodness included in each one. It's best if you experience using one for yourself. Sign up below & we'll send you an entire book companion to try out for FREE!
