Lesson Plan - Welcome, Pandas!

Watch the Video
Build background knowledge with the video “All About Giant Pandas.” Discuss: Why do you think so many people are interested in giant pandas?

Preview Word to Know
Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce the Word to Know.

• loaned

Set a Purpose for Reading
As students read, have them think about why many zoo visitors enjoy seeing pandas.

1. What does the article mean when it says that China loaned the pandas to the National Zoo?
When the article says that China loaned the pandas to the National Zoo, it means that China is letting the zoo have the pandas for a limited amount of time. The article explains, “The pandas will live at the zoo until 2034.”
^{(RI.3.1 Text Evidence)}

2. How are people in the U.S. getting to know Bao Li and Qing Bao?
The panda cams are helping people in the U.S. get to know Bao Li and Qing Baoa because the cameras let people see the bears online at any time.
^{(RI.3.2 Main Idea and Key Details)}

3. According to the article, how could the agreement between the zoo and China help the giant panda species?
The agreement says that the zoo will pay China $1 million each year to borrow the two pandas. That money will be used to help protect the giant panda species.
^{(RI.3.3 Cause and Effect)}

FEATURED SKILL: Paired Text
Use the skill builder “A Panda Tale” to read and analyze a Chinese folktale about how giant pandas got their spots. Then invite students to write their own creative myths to “explain” a physical characteristic of another animal species.
^{(RI.3.9 Paired Texts)}