The Rainbow Fish

To explore the idea that sharing is part of being a good friend.

by Lucy Fletcher

Suitable for Key Stage 1

Aims

To explore the idea that sharing is part of being a good friend.

Preparation and materials

• You will need a big book format copy of The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister.
• Ten shiny scales – e.g. badges, baubles, or cut-out scales, with means of attaching them.

Assembly

1. Choose ten volunteers to come to the front. Give one of them the main role of the Rainbow Fish. Attach to the Rainbow Fish the ten shiny scales, e.g. pin-on badges, Velcro on card, etc. Choose two more children to be the Starfish and the Octopus.
2. Read the story of The Rainbow Fish. As you read, the children can act out the story, with the Rainbow Fish being left on his own because of his selfish ways. Involve the Starfish and the Octopus at the appropriate moments.
3. Once the Rainbow Fish has visited the Octopus he can give out his scales to the other fish one by one. Each time, encourage the other fish to become more friendly with the Rainbow Fish.
4. At the end of the story, show how much happier the Rainbow Fish has become because he has shared his scales and made friends. Use the story as a metaphor for making friends. Demonstrate that the scales could have been his toys, sweets or time that he was sharing with his friends. Remember how unhappy he was at the beginning, as even though he had his shiny scales, no one wanted to be his friend. He was very proud, but also very lonely. It is much better to share things and make friends than to be selfish and lonely.

Time for reflection

Reflection

Think of a time when you have shared something with your friends.
How did it make you feel?
What do your friends share with you?

Prayer

Let us say thank you for all the things that we can share with friends.
They also share toys, smiles and good times with us.

Thank you.

Amen.

Song/music

‘Love is something’ (Come and Praise Beginning, 17)