Letter F: Fishbowl Craft, Fishy Window Scene, Fish Learning Activities, Fishing at Home (Day 2)

1) Fishbowl Craft from Walking by the Way: I found this idea on the Letter F Crafts list on the Measured Mom blog. I knew we had to do it the second I saw it! Here's what you need:

• White Paper
• Black Marker
• Tempera Paint - Blue & Red
• Foam Brush
• Paintbrush
• Glue
• 1/2 cup of cornmeal
• Goggly Eye

1. Use a black marker to draw a large fish bowl on a piece of white paper.
2. Have your child use a foam brush to paint the entire paper blue. Let the paint dry overnight. Option: Use blue construction paper instead of painting the fish bowl.
3. Paint your child's hand red and help him/her stamp hand in the fishbowl.
4. In a small bowl, use a paintbrush to mix together 1 tablespoon elmer's glue and 1/3 cup water (this is an estimate) to form a paste. Paint the paste on the bottom of the fish bowl.
5. Help your child dump cornmeal onto the wet paste. Move the paper from side to side until the paste is completely covered in cornmeal.
6. Glue on the goggly eye.

2) Fishy Window Scene from Cheap Crafty Mama: I love crafts using tissue paper and contact paper.  I love hanging them up in our windows and seeing light shine through them. You'll need:

• contact paper - dollar store
• Different colors of Tissue Paper - dollar store

1. Cut different fish scene shapes out of tissue paper (ie: fish in different sizes, bubbles, seaweed, coral, Letter F's, etc.)
2. Tape a piece of contact paper on the window, sticky side up. 
3. Have your child choose a piece of tissue paper to put on the sticky contact paper. 

3) Fish Size Order, Color Review Puzzles, Fish Number Book from Confessions of a Homeschooler: This site has a ton of really great learning resources and free printables.

• Fish Size Order: Compare the fish. Start with two fish - big and small. Talk about three fish - small, medium, large. Help your child put them in the correct size order

   

• Color Review Puzzles: Have your child match colors and put together these two piece puzzles. I sometimes place all one half of the puzzles on a table and hide the other half in the room. Have your child find the puzzle half and match it to its other half of the table. Talk a lot about colors. Ask questions: "What color did you find!?"

• Fish Number Booklet: Option - laminate the book and numbers. Place velcro dots on the back of the numbers and empty square in the booklet. Have your child count the fish (with or without help) and place the correct number in the square.

4) Go Fishing at Home: Choose one of the following options below:

• Magnetic Fishing Play Set from Lakeshore Learning: Bring a plastic bin outside, fill it with water and magnetic fish and let your child go fishing! If the weather isn't nice, play in your bath tub. Add kitchen items, nets, food coloring, or whatever else seems fun.

• Pretend Play Fishing from Mom Inspired Life: This is definitely a cheaper option, but more preparation. 

1. Cut out fish from construction paper. 
2. Draw letters, numbers, shapes (we'll probably do this option!), or use this activity solely as a color review. 
3. Place a paper clip on each fish. 
4. Make a fishing pole by tying the top piece of string onto a stick. Glue a magnet onto the bottom part of the string.
5. Have your child "catch" a fish and identify the letter, number, shape, color, etc. Afterward, have your child pretend cook the fish for dinner!