Materials
Pictures of striped fish construction paper in assorted colors, including black and white scissors markers and crayons glue wiggly eyes, optional
Instructions
1. Show the children pictures of fish with colorful stripes, such as the clown fish. Point out the different appearance of the fish with narrow or wide stripe patterns.
2. Ask the children to draw just the outline of a large fish and cut it out. Encourage them to create a wide outline rather than a thin, narrow fish.
3. After another look at the fish pictures with their stripe patterns, show the children how to draw three or four wavy vertical lines on the widest part of their fish.
4. Distribute another sheet of construction paper in a contrasting color. Ask the children to cut along the lines they drew, beginning at one end. Show them how to cut off just one piece at a time and reconstruct the fish on the whole sheet of paper. As they cut off the second stripe, ask them to put it next to the first piece, leaving a space for the contrasting color to show through. This space will create the stripe.
5. After all the lines have been cut apart, invite the children to reassemble the fish on the other sheet. Ask them to glue the pieces on one at a time, leaving a space between every piece for the contrasting color to show through and make a stripe. Let dry.
6. When the fish are dry, show the children how to draw a line around the edge of the entire fish to create a new outline that includes the striped areas. Ask them to cut around the lines they have drawn. Provide markers to add features such as scales, mouths, and eyes (if desired, use wiggly eyes).
7. For visual interest, mount the fish cutouts on a third piece of construction paper.
