Objectives:
-
Explore the habitat of the Giant Panda.
-
Increase awareness
of conservation issues related to endangered species.
-
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Review and discuss the giant panda handout with students.
- Brainstorm with students some possible solutions to the giant
panda issue. Write student feedback on the board.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Have the groups videotape their public service announcement. (Ask
media specialist for use of TV studio or reserve library time).
- Have the class view each groups' video and select the announcement
they think is the best.
- 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
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