Giant Panda Teacher Packet - Memphis Zoo

Materials:Required:• Shoeboxes• Assorted construction paper• Scissors• Glue• Pencils• Crayons• Markers• Clay• Tissue paper• Pipe cleaners• Yarn• Buttons• Popsicle sticks• Any other needed craft supplies• Pictures of the giant pandas habitatProcedures:Preparation:1) About two weeks before beginning this project, divide your students up into groups offour. Have each group get one empty shoebox. This is what they will build their refuge in.You may also want to start gathering various art supplies at this point.2) Tell you students that they will be building a giant panda refuge. Have the children beginresearching giant pandas and their habitat. As the students are researching, have themmake notes on the information that they find to use while they are putting their refugestogether.3) If possible, display pictures of the giant panda’s habitat.4) On the day this activity will begin, set up a table and set out all the art supplies and theshoeboxes.Introduction:1) Discuss with your students what the giant panda’s habitat looks like in China. Also, talkabout what all habitats need- water, food, shelter, and living space. Next, discuss what arefuge is, why they are important, and what they do. Lastly, talk about the refuges China hasbuilt to help preserve and protect giant pandas.Conducting Activity:1) Have each group pick a spot somewhere in the classroom where they can work.2) Have each group, one by one, come up to the supply table and pick up the shoebox andchose their art supplies they will use to build their refuge. Have them take their suppliesback to their designated spot.3) Instruct the students to begin building their giant panda refuges inside their shoeboxes.They can refer to their research notes and the pictures. Encourage them to be creative anduse as much of the art supplies, as they need.4) Allow the students one week to build their giant panda refuges.5) On the last day, have each group present their refuges to the class.29