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The Rainbow Fish
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister
106 posts | 157 read | 6 to read
Ten years ago, Rainbow Fish swam into the lives and hearts of children around the world. Ever since, he's captivated readers with his beautiful silver scales and his generous heart of gold. Published in 28 countries and 37 languages, this international favorite remains one of the best-selling books ever. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of The Rainbow Fish, North-South has published a handsome gift edition that's even more glittering than the original.
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alexvaughn
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister

“Sharing makes you happy”

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alexvaughn
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister

I think this story is a great book to read in the classroom. With this book, you are able to create discussions about empathy and sharing with children. It also gives a platform for parents and teachers to talk about being kind and being inclusive.

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alexvaughn
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister
Pickpick

desperate conveys a great lesson about generosity. It shares a story of the rainbow fish and him learning that sharing his skills with other fish, brings him happiness and friendship.

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dbeam
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister
Pickpick

I love this book and think it would be great for a younger classroom to teach about the value of sharing. The illustrations are great and I think younger kids would enjoy them a lot, and even some older kids.
Published 1992

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katemccord
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister

“I would never have found it without you!“

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katemccord
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister

This classic will encourage young children to embrace who they are while learning about what it means to create a kind and positive community. I hope to read this to my future students one day!

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katemccord
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister
Pickpick

I loved this book since I was in elementary school and my kindergarten teacher first read it to me. It's a beautiful book that teaches children about the importance of kindness and community. A must-read for young children!

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Rachel044420
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister
Pickpick

Shows students to be nice to everyone and share the things you love.

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Rachel044420
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister

Rainbow fish thought he was better than everyone else because of his shiny scales.

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Rachel044420
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister

“The rainbow fish was the most beautiful fish in the sea. But he never played with the other fish.”

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baranskilydia13
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister

“The rainbow fish shared his scales left and right. And the more he gave away, the more delighted he became.“

This captures the true meaning of the story and talks about sharing and shows how the way to make friends is by being a caring person.

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baranskilydia13
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister

This book exudes a lot of color and is very appealing to readers. The speech bubbles help the readers understand what the fish are thinking.

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baranskilydia13
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister
Pickpick

I think this book is very appealing to the human eye because of all of the colors.

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Mayadenoma
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister

“I want to have friends!“ (me too)

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Mayadenoma
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister

this book can be used to teach children about the significance of sharing, kindness, and the celebration of individuality, fostering discussions on social values and empathy

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Mayadenoma
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister
Pickpick

The Rainbow Fish is a charming story about a beautiful fish that learns the importance of sharing and making friends. It encourages discussions on friendship, generosity, and the value of being unique. The books illustrations captivate young readers and engage them in its powerful message

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LexiPrice
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister

“ The Rainbow Fish shared his scales left and right. And the more he gave away, the more delighted he became. When the water around him filled with glimmering scales, he at last felt at home among the other fish.“

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LexiPrice
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister

This is a great book to use for children when discussing sharing is caring. The book does a great job of showing how important the scales were to Rainbow Fish and at the end how he is still happy after the fact of sharing his beautiful scales. No matter how bad you love something you should always share with those around you.

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LexiPrice
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister
Pickpick

The Rainbow Fish was a picture book published in 1992 by Marcus Pfister. This is the tale of a special fish with glistening scales. He is admired by other fish, who ask for part of his scales to share in his beauty. Initially resistant, Rainbow Fish finally concedes and discovers that sharing his scales is enjoyable. Color is a huge part of the book because your attention is drawn to Rainbow Fish and even uses a different texture on the scales.

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Robotswithpersonality
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister
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Mehso-so

I'm sure my reticence to praise this book says something about me, but bear with me. While I understand the lessons of sharing, and the value and fulfillment of community and friendship over vanity or materialism, the notion that in order to be accepted you must endlessly sacrifice pieces of yourself is a disturbing message. Guess it's all in how you look at it. 🤷🏼‍♂️

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emileescengie
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister
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emileescengie
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister

“With sparkling silver scales among them” this is a staple for the book!

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emileescengie
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister
Pickpick

This is a great book for children and a classic! So many activities that can be provided with this read aloud as well!

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Mboyd28
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister

And the more he gave away, the more delighted he became.

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Mboyd28
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister

My favorite part is at the end when the rainbow fish decides to share its scales and how it finds enjoyment in sharing.

review
Mboyd28
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister
Pickpick

One of my favorite stories from when I was a child. Rainbow fish follows a fish with beautiful scales as it interacts with other fish. The other fish admire the rainbow fishes beauty and want to have its scales but rainbow fish refuses to share at first, but eventually find that it likes to share its beauty with others.

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laurenebailey14
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister
Pickpick

This book tells us about a fish who has plentiful special scales. His fish peers get jealous that they do not have any shiny scales so they ask for some to share. Rainbow fish says no and stumbles upon an octopus who has some words with rainbow fish. He comes around and decides to share with his peers because no one would hangout with him when he was being selfish. Once he shared, everyone became friends.

laurenebailey14 #1 Publishers Weekly Bestseller.
Wall Street Journal Bestseller.
An IRA-CBC Children's Choice.
Winner of the Bologna Book Fair Critici in Erba Prize.
A Christopher Award Winner
2y
1 like1 comment
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emmadomo
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister

The rainbow fish shared his scales left and right. And the more he gave away, the more delighted he became.

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emmadomo
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister
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emmadomo
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister
Pickpick

This picture book shines light on the importance of sharing with friends. The rainbow fish has colorful and shiny scales; he will not share and his friends become hurt and don‘t want to be around him.

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maich
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister
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#ChildrensBookBingo
I read out loud to my daughter 17 books and we got 3bingos. My favourite is the tagged one.

#WinterGames #WinterGames2021 #TeamGameSleighers
@StayCurious @Clwojick

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maich
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister
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Pickpick
slategreyskies I love that book so much!! 🌈 🐠 3y
TheSpineView ❤ cover! 3y
maich @slategreyskies me too😍 3y
See All 12 Comments
maich @TheSpineView it is beautiful 3y
keys_on_fire Echoing what others have said…that‘s a beautiful cover! 3y
BookmarkTavern How great you get to share it now! ❤️ 3y
CaroPi Beautiful cover. Is this Slovakian? 3y
maich @CaroPi Slovenian🇸🇮 3y
maich @keys_on_fire thanks💙💙 3y
maich @ozma.of.oz Thank you❤ 3y
CaroPi @maich thanks! I was having my doubts 😁 3y
maich @CaroPi It is ok😊 3y
34 likes12 comments
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DinoMom
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister
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Story walk in the park for Auntie and niece date night!

Such a great way to read a book while enjoying the outdoors and getting some exercise all at the same time.❤️📚🏞

Eggs Lovely idea 💡❤️👏🏻 3y
DinoMom @Eggs it really is! The library has been setting this up in different locations around town all summer. Hoping they continue this for awhile. 3y
ShelleyBooksie What a cool idea! The illustrations in that book are beautiful as well. 3y
39 likes3 comments
blurb
olivia_danko
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister
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The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister about how the most beautiful fish in the sea can be lonely. Other fish began begging for the shiny scales on the rainbow fish. He intentionally didn't want to give any other fish his scales. Ultimately, he learns that there is more to be gained by sharing his special qualities than by keeping them all to himself. The story emphasizes not only the importance of sharing but the joy that comes from giving.

rather_be_reading i always remember this book from my childhood! 4y
olivia_danko This modern fantasy book would be best taught using UDL 4.1 (Vary the methods for response and navigation) Go around the class and share the importance of sharing.
The ELS strategy I'd use is EL 11 (place language in meaningful content) emphasize how Rainbow Fish felt when little fish tells the other fishes to shun Rainbow Fish and turn their backs on him whenever he approaches them.
With the following lesson:
https://4kinderteachers.com/fun
4y
DrSpalding Again, you need to be sure to identify the teaching strategy rather than just saying… Would be best thought. This book works well for storytelling and of course read aloud. I believe it has also been turned into a readers theater. Make sure you very the teaching strategies you utilize with students to truly foster a love of reading! 4y
4 likes1 stack add4 comments
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emilypalkovich
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister
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The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister is an animal fantasy picture book about a fish with beautiful scales. The other fish in the sea ask if they can have some of the beautiful scales, but the Rainbow Fish denies them. He finds himself lonely and without friends and decides to share his shimmering scales after all. The Rainbow Fish realizes friendship is more important than looks and is happier than he has ever been. This book would be great for a

emilypalkovich a read aloud in class because there are connections students should be able to make. For example they should be able to make connections to a time they shared or a time they felt lonely. A website with some great activities for this book is https://4kinderteachers.com/fun-really-fun-rainbow-fish-activities/. A great UDL strategy for this book would be to provide options for language and symbols since the scales are a symbolic gesture for not only 4y
emilypalkovich beauty, but sharing and friendship. An EL strategy that pairs with this book is number 36: ask numerous questions which require higher level thinking responses. This will encourage the EL student to understand the theme of the story. #ucflae3414sp21 4y
DrSpalding My youngest son‘s third grade teacher always uses this as a read aloud during the first week of school. Sharing and working well with others is a life skill that this book shares beautifully! Wouldn‘t it be fun to simply cut out some scales and give them to each student while you were reading… Interactive read aloud! 4y
2 likes1 stack add3 comments
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KellyR
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister
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This book is about a fish who has beautiful scales and many of the fishes ocean like it so much they ask if they can have one but Rainbow Fish doesn't want to share. Th Rainbow Fish ends up all alone with all his scales.

KellyR Genre: Fiction
Award: Best Seller
RT: Reader's Theatre
https://www.myjoyfilledlife.com/the-rainbow-fish/
4y
KellyR Genre: Fiction
Award: Best Seller
RT: Reader's Theatre
https://www.myjoyfilledlife.com/the-rainbow-fish/
4y
KellyR Genre: Fiction
Award: Best Seller
RT: Reader's Theatre
https://www.myjoyfilledlife.com/the-rainbow-fish/
4y
See All 14 Comments
KellyR Genre: Fiction
Award: Best Seller
RT: Reader's Theatre
https://www.myjoyfilledlife.com/the-rainbow-fish/
4y
KellyR Genre: Fiction
Award: Best Seller
RT: Reader's Theatre
https://www.myjoyfilledlife.com/the-rainbow-fish/
4y
KellyR Genre: Fiction
Award: Best Seller
RT: Reader's Theatre
https://www.myjoyfilledlife.com/the-rainbow-fish/
4y
KellyR Genre: Fiction
Award: Best Seller
RT: Reader's Theatre
https://www.myjoyfilledlife.com/the-rainbow-fish/
4y
KellyR Genre: Fiction
Award: Best Seller
RT: Reader's Theatre
https://www.myjoyfilledlife.com/the-rainbow-fish/
4y
KellyR Genre: Fiction
Award: Best Seller
RT: Reader's Theatre
https://www.myjoyfilledlife.com/the-rainbow-fish/
4y
KellyR Genre: Fiction
Award: Best Seller
RT: Reader's Theatre
https://www.myjoyfilledlife.com/the-rainbow-fish/
4y
KellyR Genre: Fiction
Award: Best Seller
RT: Reader's Theatre
https://www.myjoyfilledlife.com/the-rainbow-fish/
4y
KellyR Genre: Fiction
Award: Best Seller
RT: Reader's Theatre
https://www.myjoyfilledlife.com/the-rainbow-fish/
4y
KellyR Genre: Fiction
Award: Best Seller
RT: Reader's Theatre
https://www.myjoyfilledlife.com/the-rainbow-fish/
4y
KellyR Genre: Fiction
Award: Best Seller
RT: Reader's Theatre
https://www.myjoyfilledlife.com/the-rainbow-fish/
4y
14 comments
review
TabathaA
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister
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Pickpick

This beautifully illustrated book grabs your attention with its pop-off-the-page graphics, to its heartwarming message. The rainbow fish goes along meeting different fish wanting one of her beautiful scales. However, she just couldn‘t do it, as she thought that was what made her happy. After meeting a wise octopus, she decided to give them away and found true friendships…and happiness.

TabathaA This MF, multiple award-winning (The Christopher Award, FL & NC Children‘s Book Award, Abby Award, IRA-CBC Children‘s Choice) book might be best presented as a PR, as there is a lot of content to get through. Accompany with UDL 9.1 (promote expectations and beliefs that optimize motivation) and EL 2 (promote cooperation – small groups) to assist all learners. 4y
TabathaA Resources: https://www.rif.org/literacy-central/book/rainbow-fish & https://www.teacher.org/lesson-plan/rainbow-fish/. Short film based on the book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifXlc0QI2kY. Fun Fact: this book has been made into musicals and performed at multiple community theatres throughout the U.S. #UCFLAE3414SP21 4y
3 likes2 comments
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Lovesbooks87
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister
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Listening to an audiobook as I cut up some fruit. The children in my class are going to read the tagged book on the last day of summer camp and then they are going to get to make rainbow fruit portraits!

Julsmarshall Love it! 4y
51 likes2 comments
review
marissamaddox
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister
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Pickpick

This F story by Marcus Pfister has won multiple awards and I see why! This book is such a classic and really shows students how to be good friends, which is a important thing to learn early on. He becomes very lonely in this book because he can not be a good friend and share. I think you could use this book in your classroom for S in grades K-1. I chose UDL 9.3- Develop self-assessment and reflection because the students will learn a lesson.

marissamaddox ESOL Strategy 15 - Reinforce the key ideas you present again and again

https://www.learningtogive.org/resources/rainbow-fish-literature-guide
The site gives you before, during, and after questions to ask the students which ask about emotion and feelings. The site also gives you an art lesson to wrap everything up.
#ucflae3414su20
(edited) 4y
gpraytor I love the Rainbow Fish! Great resource!! 4y
DrSpalding Late 4y
5 likes1 stack add3 comments
review
Nkaufmann
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister
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Pickpick

#ucflae3414su20
The Rainbow Fish is a book that is written and illustrated by Marcus Pfister. The genre is MF and it is a Christopher award winner among many other awards. This book is about the Rainbow Fish who is a lonely fish known for his beautiful scales. One day another fish asks him for one of his scales and he immediately says no. His scales are what makes him different, how could he ever give one away?

Nkaufmann This book would be great for readers' theatre (RT) as the teacher could have their students play the Rainbow fish, the octopus, the starfish, and the other fish. This book has a very important message to it about sharing and not being selfish so I think it important to discuss this message to the students before having them perform. This will instill confidence in the students and their reading skills and it will also help the students become... 4y
Nkaufmann more fluent readers.
The UDL principle 1.1 regarding offering ways of customizing the display of information and the EL principle 3 regarding encouraging self-talk (positive thinking) can be met by this picture book. In doing readers' theatre the teacher is customizing the display of information by having the students read and perform the book instead of just having them listen to them read it. In addition, the teacher should be encouraging...
4y
Nkaufmann the students who perform by telling them that they will do a great job.

Resource: https://www.learningtogive.org/resources/rainbow-fish-literature-guide
4y
See All 6 Comments
Ameyer32 Yes! One of my all time favorite stories! I like you choice for RT and I think it would definitley be great for that! 4y
JessicaO This book is a classic! I love seeing the children‘s reactions to the fish! Encouraging positive self talk is a great EL principle because it will her all students see the different ways that‘s books can effect us emotionally. This book is already in my library and I will be reading it to my future students! 4y
DrSpalding Great idea to include the hashtag first. Readers theater enhances fluency and could be a wonderful option for this story or any of the sequels. You have noted helpful resources but have not expanded on how you would use them in the classroom. Does this resource include readers theater? The resource and strategy should complement one another. 4y
4 likes6 comments
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charlotteclancy
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister
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The Rainbow Fish is a colorful PB written about a fish that has prettier scales than all the other fish. Rainbow fish would not share is scales with another fish and once all the other fish found out, they stopped asking him to swim with them. Rainbow fish discovers if he shares with the other fish, he will have more friends. www.teacher.org has a great lesson to go along with this book. #UCFLAE3414SP20

charlotteclancy The lesson includes reading the book aloud to the class, then having the students create their own Rainbow Fish. After creating their fish the teacher will facilitate a group discussion of whether or not Rainbow Fish is a good friend or not. UDL 5.1- Use multiple media for communication. This book is also in video form and has been made into a TV show. EL 24- Incorporate the language of second language learner. 5y
charlotteclancy This book was originally written in another language and can be translated. 5y
DrSpalding Late 5y
3 likes3 comments
review
juliap99
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister
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Pickpick

This book is great for a RT for young kids because the message of the book is to be kind and share! The kids could dress up as the characters in the book and act it out .The genre is MF. This PB has won the Christopher Award. The EL strategy that goes with this book is to encourage self talk and positive thinking . The message of this book provides that. The UDL strategy I chose is 1.3 “offer alternatives for visual info” #ucflae3414sp20

juliap99 I chose that UDL because you can share this book by doing a readers theater and using props ! The website I linked is for students to make the rainbow fish and they can use these as props in the reenactment! http://lessons.atozteacherstuff.com/134/the-rainbow-fish-art-and-craft-activitie... 5y
Tabitha_H This book is such a classic. I remember reading it through elementary school. I love the readers theater idea, that would be super cute to see. 5y
DrSpalding This would be an excellent reader‘s theater! Or as you noted it could be a dramatic reenactment with your watercolor fish! I like the idea of arts integration! 5y
3 likes3 comments
review
carolinem
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister
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Pickpick

This is a wonderful F RA and S picture book written and illustrated by Marcus Pfister. The message behind this book is that sharing is caring and that you should spread your sparkle to everyone. https://www.teachingideas.co.uk/library/books/the-rainbow-fish This is a great resource that incorporates all subjects to this book.
#UCFLAE3414SP20

carolinem ESOL strategy 3 which is encouraging self talk (positive thinking) which is a key concept of this book. UDL principle 1.3 offer alternatives for visual information which I can show my students a video of remake of this story. 5y
Agavitt1 I picked Rainbow Fish for one of my reviews as well, we have great taste because it‘s such a cute book! I love what you said about sharing sparkle with everyone and I wanna look at the source you listed to get some ideas! 5y
DrSpalding You can truly integrate this book into all areas of the curriculum. Nice English learner alignment and universal design principles included. Storytelling or read aloud would work quite well! 5y
5 likes3 comments
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LeahH
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister
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Pickpick

This MF talks about a fish with shinny scales and all the other fish want one. The main idea in this book is about sharing and is a great book for a class RA. Students will learn about sharing, collaborating and making friends. Also, this book won the Christopher Award 🏆

UDL: 8.3- ‘foster collaboration and community‘
Students can see how important it is in the classroom to work together, share and grow from one another.

#UCFLAE3414SP20

LeahH EL: 46- ‘use discovery learning activities (hands on).‘This is a great way for students to work together and really work on the concept of sharing and making friends. 5y
LeahH http://www.readwritethink.org/resources/resource-print.html?id=908 (preparation 4)
Students will:
Interact with children's literature that highlights individual differences

Reflect on the image they have of themselves as learners within the classroom community

Develop the skills required for cooperative learning, with a particular focus on how to engage in dialogue and sharing in a group setting
5y
DrSpalding What fantastic storytelling resources! This aligns beautifully with English learner strategy 46. 5y
3 likes3 comments
quote
shannontevis
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister

“But the rainbow fish would just glide past“ This quote exemplifies how much pride the rainbow fishes scales boosted his ego.

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shannontevis
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister

This is a must have in the classroom! It's a classic and something I definitely think children would enjoy.

review
shannontevis
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister
Pickpick

“The Rainbow Fish“ by Marcus Pfister, 1992. Caldecott Honor. This was one of my favorites growing up! The scales on the fish are shiny and captivating, and are what people remember most about the story! It also provides a good message about the importance of sharing.

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meganslats
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister

“The more he gave away, the more delighted he became.“

blurb
meganslats
The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister

I will definitely have this book in my classroom library and read it to my students. It is a great read about sharing and how selfishness can lead to having no friends. This is important especially at a young age because children are learning the importance of sharing.