Stories and Scripture The Rainbow Fish By Marcus Pfister A parish-based opportunity to engage pre-school children and

their families

Sponsored by the Engaging Young Families Sub-Committee of the Council for Catechesis

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May be reproduced for ministry use (not commercial use) – please include copyright and website information.

www.storiesandscripture.weebly.com

Downloadable bookmark for participants available at above website.

TheRainbowFishWelcomefamiliesastheyarrive.Instructparentstomakeanametag.Eitherwritenameoncolorprintedfishorcolorblackandwhiteprintedfish.Makenametagsforparentsandchildrenandusedoublesidedtapetoputthemon.Also,drawandlargefishandcutitout.Putituponthewall.Giveeachchildandadultascalecutoutofdifferentcoloredconstructionpaper.Eachpersonwriteshisorhernameonthescaleandthentapesitonthefish.OpeningPrayer:Psalm111:2HowgreataretheworksoftheLordSongI'm a Little Fishy (Tune: I'm a Little Tea Pot) I'm a little fishy, watch me swim Here is my tail, here is my fin, When I want to have fun with my friends I wiggle my tail an dive right in! IntroduceStoryThisisthestoryaboutafishwhothoughthewasthemostbeautifulfishintheocean.Hewasalsoveryselfishandlonelyandcouldn’tfigureoutwhynoonelikedhim.Readstory.Paraphraseifneededforagroupofveryyoungchildren.Discusstory.Whatdidtheotherfishwantfromtherainbowfish?Whywouldn’thegivethemabeautifulscale?Whydidrainbowfishbecomelonely?Whodidhegotalktoaboutwhatheshoulddo?Howdidhefeelwhenhegaveawayascale.?WeallhavespecialgiftsgiventousbyGodandGodwouldlikeustosharethesegifts.Wemightbeabletodraw,sing,orbuildthings,buteachofushasspecialgiftsfromGodandlikerainbowfishwewillfeelveryhappyifweshareourgiftswithothers.Maybeyouhaveatoythatanotherboyorgirlwouldliketoplaywith.Youmightfeellikeyoudon’twanttoshareyourtoy.Butimaginehowgoodyouwillfeelifyousharethetoyandyouareabletoplaywiththeotherchildren.Activity:MakeaRainbowFish

Cut a wedge out of a paper plate and glue it on the opposite side creating a fish tail and

mouth. Cut out “scales” using construction paper, tissue paper, craft paper, foil or anything else you can think of :) The foil is for the shiny scales from the book. Start

gluing the scales onto the fish until you have covered the entire surface of the plate. Turn the fish over and trim the excess paper along the edge of the fish. Add a googly eye and

a couple of fins and you’re done!

Snack:Rainbowgoldfishcrackersinasmallcup.Activityforathome:Discussagainaboutsharing.Thentalkaboutdonatingtoysthatthechildrenarenolongerplayingwithtochildrenwhodon’thaveasmanytoys.Againtheideaofsharing.ClosingPrayer:Psalm111:2HowgreataretheworksoftheLord