Fish Happens!
SpongeBob SquarePants Series
What’s inside...
After SpongeBob fails his driving test, his friend Patrick takes him on a road trip where they get lost but still manage to have fun.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-6
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the fish felt when they faced challenges in the story?
How did the fish work together to solve problems? Can you think of a time when you worked with others to solve a problem?
What was your favorite part of the adventure in the book, and why?
If you were one of the fish in the book, what would you have done differently?
What can we learn from the way the fish handled their situations?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation by sharing your own favorite part of the book, which can encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story. Use the illustrations in 'Fish Happens!' to guide the discussion, pointing out facial expressions and actions of the fish to delve deeper into understanding their emotions and decisions. Relate the experiences of the fish to real-life scenarios your child might encounter, which can help them connect with the story on a personal level. Encourage your child to imagine alternate endings or adventures for the characters, fostering creativity and deeper engagement with the reading material.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of challenges
Explanation: In 'Fish Happens!', the main character encounters various obstacles in the ocean but learns to navigate through them with perseverance.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by understanding that difficulties are a part of life and that persisting through challenges can lead to growth and development.
Example Lesson: Importance of teamwork
Explanation: The protagonist fish teams up with other sea creatures to solve problems, highlighting the value of working together.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children the importance of cooperation and how collaborative efforts can often lead to better solutions than working alone.
Example Lesson: Embracing diversity
Explanation: The story features a variety of sea creatures, each with unique abilities, demonstrating how differences enrich interactions and outcomes.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate and embrace differences in others, understanding that diversity brings a range of perspectives and skills to any situation.
Example Lesson: Adaptability to change
Explanation: As the environment in the ocean changes, the characters adapt to new circumstances, showing flexibility.
Real-World Application: This prepares children for the inevitable changes they will encounter in life and shows them the importance of adapting to new situations.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: Throughout 'Fish Happens!', the characters face several problems that they solve using their wits and resources.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think critically and use problem-solving skills in their daily lives, boosting their confidence and independence.