I'm So Glad You Swim In My School!

Lovie, the heart fish, is a wonderful way to review the concept of small, medium and large. His goofy lips remind me of those wax ones I loved wearing when I was a kid!

I really enjoy my Y5’s exclamations of surprise, when they listen and follow directions, keeping their papers folded and cut on the lines. 

I don’t tell students that they are going to make a heart, I inform them that they will be making a special “February shape” then let it be a “surprise”.

They are amazed when they open their papers to see a heart, and can’t wait to cut the rest of their fish parts out. This is a great opportunity to review symmetry with your students too.

Show a finished sample to your students so they know how to glue Lovie together.

You can add a wiggle eye and even some glitter for that extra bit of pizzazz.

I ran mine through a crinkle press that my students fondly call Mr. Cruncher Muncher.

Turning the crank is a great fine motor skill for them. 

It’s one of my favorite “must have” classroom tools and sells for $18.  Buy it with a half-off coupon for any of the major craft stores.  It's perfect to add that finishing touch to any Ellison die-cut and adds pizzazz to patterning. 

Reading the original Rainbow Fish story, is a nice follow up activity. 

Because the Rainbow Fish stories are a fun favorite for Y5's, giving students a color choice for their Lovie heart fish, is nice and makes for a more dramatic and colorful bulletin board. 

Even though they are board books, the Rainbow Fish Colors, Counting, and ABC books, are a great review and popular with little ones too.

Captions:

“We LOVE swimming in our school!”

Include a student’s photo on each fish.

You could glue their pix on an aluminum foil heart or sparkly piece of scrapbook paper, in keeping with the Rainbow Fish's “scale” idea.

Only glue the pointy tip to the middle of the fish so that the fin pops out for a 3-D effect.

 OR… another caption could be:

We’re Fishing For Facts! Turn the fact b. board into a writing prompt.

Have the students write 3-5 facts about themselves, a topic you’re studying, or do some math equations.

Use a separate sheet of paper, or write on the backs of the fish and suspend them from fish line in front of the board.

Click on the link to view/download Lovie, the Valentine-Heart Fish

After your students complete Lovie, have them transition to a game and play: Fishing For Facts with Goldfish crackers!

Younger students roll one dice and cover numbers 1-6, older students write out equations and cover goldfish 2-12.  The child to cover all of their fish first, wins the game.  Combine snack and math for extra timesaving learning fun!

Click on the link to view/download the Fishing For Facts games, which include number and number word flashcards + several skill sheets.

Fitting right in with my valentine fish-theme are these cute Valentine treats. Click on the link to zoom over to Juliann's site for more creative ideas. 

 Do you have any ideas you’d like to share with us?  I’d enjoy hearing from you! diane@teachwithme.com or feel free to post a comment here.

They are very much appreciated, especially if you use an idea.  Thanks in advance.

Since Valentine's Day is coming up fast,  I wrote another article with a quick and easy valentine.  Scroll down for the "I'm Wild About You!"valentine.