One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

Summary:

Unlike The Lorax the plot of this story isn't as clear. The story provides teachers with a great resource to discuss rhyming words and easy decodable words that are fun to say. There are many words that have one syllable and follow long and short vowel patterns. The fish pattern does not continue through the whole book, the consistent theme of nonsense does. The Cat in the Hat is briefly seen but his name isn't mentioned. The silly story of silly daily activities end with two children sleeping with their pet Zeep. This story seems to be in the in print version of how young children would love to follow their imagination and spend their days.

 

About the Author: Dr. Seuss

The famous Dr. Suess or Theodore Geisel has written many beloved classics for children. One theme that remains is that many of his books have a deeper meaning that adults would understand as well as children. The Lorax is one of these books as well as The Sneetches. Born in modern day Germany, Seuss began his career as a political cartoonist. He has written some of children's favorite books and critics need to look at why his books are still favorites after so many years. Seuss created new words and rhyming techniques that engage children and keep them wanting more. A child could never predict what would happen next in a Seuss book.  Many authors have tried to write like the famous Seuss, but few are able to even compete.

Theme/Skill: Rhyming, Fantasy, Fiction, Poetry

Grade Level: K-2

Pre-Reading Activity:

Introduce/revisit short and long vowel sounds. Remind students of the consonant-vowel patterns that will help them read real and nonsense words correctly. Briefly provide students with some examples and a short sorting activity.

Post-Reading Activity:

Ask students to find five short vowel words, long vowel words and six words that rhyme. Depending on the level of the class these number of examples can change.

Reflection:

This book is an easy way to introduce word patterns and a way to begin poetry in an older grade with a familiar text.  To start my ESL students with poetry I would use this book because their vocabulary is so low. But the nonsense words may throw them for a loop since they may think that the words are real. Dr. Seuss never ceases to amaze readers with his catchy words and phrases. What would children (and teachers for that matter) do without him?