Reading skills are crucial for lifelong success. Children need to start reading at an early age, or they will struggle later on and eventually lose the motivation to read. Motivate your kindergarten students to read with a fish treasure hunt. Tell the children they are going on a treasure hunt and hide several written clues on fish cut-outs around the room. Make the reading easy enough that the children will be able to understand the clues. Take turns reading the clues. At the end of their treasure hunt, children will find a treasure box filled with gummy fish.
Children will be motivated to learn their number words while playing the fish math game. Before beginning the lesson read, "The Rainbow Fish," by Marcus Pfister. Tell children that we are all unique and special. Discuss the qualities of a good friend. Cut-out several fish from construction paper. Write a number word on each fish. The students will glue the correct number of shiny fish scales on the fish. Shiny fish scales may be cut from wrapping paper or aluminum foil.
This game will help students learn the names of their peers, build social skills and motivate them to interact with classmates. Cut a guppy out of construction paper or purchase a toy fish to use with the game. The children will sit in circle. Have the children chant the poem in the following manner: "Who caught a guppy in the big blue sea?" The student -- John, in this example -- who holds the guppy says his name, then the class replies: "John caught the guppy in the big blue sea!" The student holding the guppy says, "Who me?" The Class replies, "Yes, you!" The student says, "Couldn't be!" Lastly, the class replies, "Then who?" Continue passing the guppy around until everyone has a turn.
Children will practice math and language skills while playing this game. Purchase several plastic or foam fish from a craft store. Place the fish in a water table. The students will chant the poem: "Fishy fishy, in the sea, let me take you home with me! Fishy, fishy in the sea, how many fishy will there be?" Next, call out a child's name and a number. Have the children place their hands in the water and pick up the correct amount of fish.