Grade Levels:  3-5

Subjects:  Language Arts, Science, Social Studies

Learner Outcomes:
  Learners will research information about giant pandas.
  Learners will send an E-card to the teacher.
  Learners will debate the concerns of the panda.

Duration of Lesson: four 45 minute sessions

Materials:  Books and articles dealing with panda bears (see references)

Technology Tools/Courseware:  computers, internet, CD-ROM encyclopedia,

Teacher Notes:
Bookmark web sites to be used (see references)
Acceptable Use Policy on file for students
Create debate teams

Procedures:
    session 1
        1.  Teacher will read aloud a selected trade book. (see references)
        2.  Teacher will lead a class discussion about Panda's and fill in a KWL chart to build
             interest and assess background knowledge.
    session 2
        3.  Students will visit the internet sites bookmarked by the teacher to gather information
             about the giant pandas. (see references)
        4.  Teacher will divide students into teams. The teams will debate panda issues such as
             conservation, living in captivity habitat destruction.
        5.  Debate teams will meet to review their knowledge of pandas and prepare a oral
             presentation.
    session 3
        6.  Teacher will organize and facilitate the panda debate.  Allowing each team to present
             their arguments.
    session 4
        7.  Students will visit panda cards web site. To follow directions provided and create a
             Panda E-Card which will be sent to the teacher.
 

Modifications:
Assign computer partners according to abilities of students to ensure success.
Assign debate teams and team captains to provide students
           the support they need to become an active member of the team.

Enrichment Activities:
Students will compile a list of possible site for the class to visit.
Students will bring in panda memorabilia to share with class.

Evaluation/Assessment:
         formative - Teacher observation during class discussion.
                            Rubric will be used to assess oral presentations.
         summative - Teacher will assess individual panda E-cards.

West Virginia Instructional Goals and Objectives:
         Language Arts
              3.13, 3.14, 3.20,4.16, 4.17, 4.50,  4.55, 4.95, 4.96, 5.5, 5.4, 5.56, 5.57
         Science
              3.8, 3.11, 3.23,  5.10, 5.12, 5.17, 4.18, 4.13
         Social Studies
                  3.20, 3.28, 4.13, 4.26

National Standards:
        Language Arts
                1.  Uses listening and speaking strategies for different purposes
        Science
                1.  Understands relationships among organisms and their physical environment
        Social Studies
                1.  Understands selected attributes and historical developments of societies in Africa, the
                     Americas, Asia, and Europe

References:
              Atlanta Zoo
              Panda Cam
               Everything About Pandas
                  Panda E-Card

         Book References
                Little Panda by Joanne Ryder ISBN 0689843100
                    Three Panda's by Jan Wahl ISBN 1563977494
                    Giant Panda's by Allan Fowler ISBN 0516460315
                    Year of the Panda by Miriam Schliem ISBN 0064403661
                    When Panda Came to Our House by Hellen Zane Jensen

Authors:
            Marguin Godfrey, French Creek Elementary School
            Jody Johnson, French Creek Elementary School
          Ronna Smallridge, French Creek Elementary School