The Giant Pandas



 

Geography of China

Constructing the Great Wall

Chinese Folktales
Art of papermaking
The Giant Pandas
Web Links



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

splendid China


Objectives

  1. Explore the habitat of the Giant Panda.

  2. Increase awareness of conservation issues related to endangered species.

  3. Create a public service campaign.

Key Words:

  • habitat

  • endangered species                                                                     

  • preserves

  • conservation

Timeline:

2-3 hours

Materials:

Print Shop/Desktop publishing, On-line Resources, handout, color pencils, poster board, digital/video camera

Procedures:

  1. Explain to students that there are less than 1,000 giant pandas living in the wild.  Inform them that the giant pandas are quickly disappearing due to poaching and loss of habitat.  For the giant panda, time is running out unless steps are taken to save this endangered species.
  2. Tell students that the class has been hired by a wildlife foundation to increase public awareness on the plight of the giant panda and why they are endangered.
  3. Divide the class into groups of three. Inform students that each group will be creating a pamphlet and a 30 second public service announcement to bring attention to the problems facing the pandas.
  4. Each group will use on-line resources to research the habitat of the giant pandas and investigate the reasons behind their diminishing population.  Have each group complete a panda handout to assist their fact finding.
  5. Review and discuss the giant panda handout with students.
  6. Brainstorm with students some possible solutions to the giant panda issue.  Write student feedback on the board.
  7. Tell students that based on the information they collected and their possible solutions each group must create a campaign poster promoting the cause of saving the pandas.
  8. Inform the groups that each campaign poster must include the following: title, group name, pictures, five facts on giant pandas, one way pandas are threaten, and one solution to save the pandas.  Posters should be colorful and attention-getting.
  9. In addition, each group must write a 30 second skit for a public service announcement promoting the conservation and protection of the giant pandas.  Skits must be convincing and news-worthy. Students can include props to express their message.
  10. Have the groups videotape their public service announcement. (Ask media specialist for use of TV studio or reserve library time).
  11. Have the class view each groups' video and select the announcement they think is the best.
  12. Post each groups' campaign poster in the school's media center and broadcast by closed circuit the public service announcement the class voted the best to the school.

Assessment:

Students will be assessed using a pamphlet/brochure rubric.

Extension Activities:

Have the students write letters to wildlife foundations for information on how to help endangered animals.

Create a web page promoting the protection of endangered species.

Have students research other endangered animals found in China.

Visit a local zoo or natural history museum.

Invite a guest speaker from the zoology department of the local college or university.

Web Links:

Smithsonian National Zoo/Pandas: http://pandas.si.edu/ see pandas up close at the Smithsonian National Zoo

Animal Discovery: http://animal.discovery.com/convergence/pandas/pandas.html Discovery Channel interactive site

San Diego Zoo/Pandas:  http://sandiegozoo.org/special/pandas/ San Diego zoo and its panda exhibit

San Diego Zoo Web Cam  http://sandiegozoo.org/special/pandas/pandacam/  web cam of pandas

Kids Planet/Pandas: http://kidsplanet.org/factsheets/giant_panda.html  general information about pandas

Panda.org: http://panda.org.cn/english/english.htm  more general information about pandas

Wild Life/Panda: http://worldwildlife.org/pandas/ wildlife fund site on pandas