The fish die (AccuCut F1204L - Fish #5) is a symmetrical shape that can be used in many subjects. (The eye hole was cut later with a hole punch.) There are many Bible stories dealing with fish. It can be used for social studies when studying fishing economies, or for science when studying fish ecology. Put story starters on the fish for reluctant writers who need to "fish for ideas."
The most obvious use is to put a paper clip on the fish and have children fish with a magnet. A self-checking activity would be to glue two fish together, leaving an opening at the mouth. Cut out bait (mini loaves from AccuCut F1199 will work) and attach the paper clip. Put a fishing line on the other end of the clip. Students read the problem written on the fish and remove the bait to check their answer. Substitute a coin for the bait, to tell the Bible story of Peter paying the tax.
Turn the die cut into a puzzle (AccuCut puzzle maker #1). Make at least ten and have the students match up the bodies and heads.
The fish shape can also be used to make a funny little tree. You might want to trim the roots or round the top, but it is not necessary.
How about an ice cream sundae? Write a problem on several different dishes of ice cream, but leave out the operation. Put the operation on the cherries and have students place the correct cherry on each sundae.
With two foam cuts, a little yarn, and a paper clip you can make a small wallet. Cut two slits for the fish tail, or attach a fabric hook-and-loop closure.
The fish die can be used to make an attractive snowflake. Fold a 12 by 12 inch sheet of paper in half. Mark the center on the fold and use a protractor to measure and mark 60 degrees.
Complete the fold so that you have six layers, to match the number of points in a snowflake.
Carefully center the point of paper on the die so that a little of the shape is NOT covered on each side of the die. Check that the shortest piece of paper on the other end fully covers the cutting edge.
Open up to see your beautiful snowflake. Try cutting other shapes to make snowflakes without sore hands from the scissors.
If something goes wrong with your snowflake, and you discover that you have pieces not connected, don't throw them away. Staple them together for mini shape books or fun notepads.
You don't need to use the whole die. For these little butterflies, fold a piece of paper in half and place it over the tail of the fish. Add a body, if desired.
Cut the body portion from various stone colored paper. Sharpen the points and you have arrowheads to use in a social studies unit. Hint: fold paper as if to make a snow flake. Keep the pointed tip inside the cutting blades; and then cut along the lines to separate into six arrowheads.
This Christmas tree ornament also uses the body of the fish. Cut as many pieces as you wish. Fold the pieces in half with the wrong side out. Glue the folded pieces into a stack; then open and glue together the first and last flaps. Insert a hanger.
