Many ocean fish are vividly colored or have other special characteristics. Study such exotic fish as the trumpet fish, box fish, clown fish, butterfly fish, and puffer fish. Students may also want to learn about other colorful, exotic, and scary sea dwellers, such as moray eels, sea horses, and manta rays. Have students draw their favorite exotic sea dweller. Glitter, fluorescent paints, fabric scraps, string, and glue can be used to enhance the pictures.
Children can cut out their fish for use in the activity below.
Marcus Pfister uses shades of blue, green, purple, and even yellow to bring his illustrations of the ocean to life. Have students list words, including colors, that make them think of the ocean. Provide a large sheet of paper and watercolor paints, turn on some music that may inspire watery images, and have your students paint the ocean. After the paint dries, children can attach their fancy fish to the mural. The little striped fish is threatened by a shark.