Welcome to the free Beyond the Panda online learning resources exploring China and giant pandas.
The first three sections below - Project History, Planning for Pandas and Meet the Panda Team provide background to the China/UK Giant Panda Programme along with lesson plans and ideas.
All other sections provide Mandarin language and science related worksheets and games. The China Mobile Library section includes the panda pack resources.
In January 2011, a historic agreement was signed between the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) and the China Wildlife Conservation Association (CWCA) for the loan of two giant pandas to Edinburgh Zoo.
Early Level: Reading, Writing, Literacy and Talking
I enjoy exploring and playing with the patterns and sounds of language, and can use what I learn.
LIT 0-01a / LIT 0-11a / LIT 0-20a
I use signs, books or other texts to find useful or interesting information and I use this to plan, make choices or learn new things.
LIT 0-14a
First Level: Reading, Listening and Talking
As I listen or watch, I am learning to make notes under given headings and use these to understand what I have listened to or watched and create new texts.
LIT 1-05a
I am learning to make notes under given headings and use them to understand information, explore ideas and problems and create new texts.
LIT 1-15a
Second Level: Reading, Finding and using Information
I can make notes, organise them under suitable headings and use them to understand appropriate information, develop my thinking, explore problems and create new texts, using my own words as appropriate.
LIT 2-15a
Third Level: Reading, Understanding, analysing and evaluating
To help me develop an informed view, I am exploring the techniques used to influence my opinion. I can recognise persuasion and assess the reliability of information, and credibility and value of my sources.
LIT 3-18a
Early Level: Craft and Design Contexts for Developing Technological Skills
Within real and imaginary settings, I am developing my practical skills as I select and work with a range of materials, tools and software.
TCH 0-12a
Through discovery, natural curiosity and imagination, I explore ways to construct models or solve problems.
TCH 0-14a
First Level: Craft and Design Contexts for Developing Technological Skills
During practical activities and design challenges, I can estimate and measure using appropriate instruments and units.
TCH 1-13a
Through discovery and imagination, I can develop and use problem-solving strategies to construct models.
TCH 1-14a
Having evaluated my work, I can adapt and improve, where appropriate, through trial and error or by using feedback.
TCH 1-14b
Second Level: Craft and Design Contexts for Developing Technological Skills
During practical activities and design challenges, I can estimate and measure using appropriate instruments and units.
TCH 2-13a
Through discovery and imagination, I can develop and use problem-solving strategies to construct models.
TCH 2-14a
Having evaluated my work, I can adapt and improve, where appropriate, through trial and error or by using feedback.
TCH 2-14b
Click/Hover over the members of the team below to find out more about them.
Simon Girling is Head of Veterinary Services to RZSS. His work involves overseeing the health of all the animals at Edinburgh Zoo and the Highland Wildlife Park - including the Giant Pandas.
Darren McGarry is Head of Living Collections at Edinburgh Zoo. He is responsible for all species kept in the collection at the zoo including husbandry and health management, nutrition and veterinary services.
Alison Maclean is Head Panda Keeper at Edinburgh Zoo. She looked after captive bears for 25 years before Tian Tian and Yang Guang arrived and has looked after them since their arrival in December 2011.
Health and Wellbeing - Early Level
I can describe some of the kinds of work that people do and I am finding out about the wider world of work. HWB 0-20a
Health and Wellbeing - First Level
I can describe some of the kinds of work that people do and I am finding out about the wider world of work. HWB 1-20a
Social Studies - Second Level
I can discuss the environmental impact of human activity and suggest ways in which we can live in a more environmentally-responsibly way.
SOC 2-08a
The China Mobile Library is a set of resources called 'panda packs' with associated expert visits. The 'panda packs' are FREE for all to download. Expert visits are FREE throughout Scotland and the north of England.
The expert visits can either be an introduction to the resources or for revision after use. The RZSS Language Project Coordinator will bring different games and resources along with skulls, bamboo and models to enhance the learning.
Teacher training sessions on the use of the 'panda packs' are also available to book.
All resources are linked to Mandarin language learning. To book contact srobb@rzss.org.uk
The giant panda graphic would require printing at 150cm by 90cm if you wanted life-size. A suggestion is to print out at A3 size which would work out at 1:5 scale ratio.
There is also a cloth measuring tape available, pictured below. This is provided for schools when they book expert visits.
A series of sound files organised into different sections with a number of words, phrases and sentences used within the panda packs and the Endangered Species outreach sessions.
Many thanks to 张皓 Zhāng Hào for the sound files. Hào is studying for his PhD 'The interface between Scottish educational language policy and Mandarin pedagogy' at the University of Edinburgh.
The P4-P7 materials can form an 8 week mini course. Some of the additional material has been organised into 5 suggested lesson plans which may follow the panda pack and expert visit. See the course plan here.
A series of sound files for words used within the S1-S2 panda pack and the Secondary Endangered Species Game.
Many thanks to 张皓 Zhāng Hào for the sound files. Hào is studying for his PhD 'The interface between Scottish educational language policy and Mandarin pedagogy' at the University of Edinburgh.
The materials for the Chinese Endangered Species outreach are NOT available to download. These outreach sessions are led by the RZSS Language Project Coordinator and are FREE throughout Scotland and north of England.
However, there are follow on materials:
The P1-P3 Endangered Species game is only available as a FREE outreach session. The resources are not available to be downloaded or purchased. There is a glossary of terms to download for follow-up work.
A glossary for P1 - P3.
The P4-P7 Endangered Species game is only available as a FREE outreach session. The resources are not available to be downloaded or purchased. There is a glossary of terms and a threats worksheet to download for follow-up work.
A glossary for P4 - P7.
Sometimes when you only know one or two Chinese characters you can work out the meaning of complete words and phrases.
A worksheet using translations for the threats - climate change, pollution, over-hunting and habitat loss.
The Nursery session is available FREE throughout Scotland and north of England but must be booked along with other outreach or expert visits. Some of the resources are available to download.
For Nursery and early level, the children only need to recognise the number and/or colour characters and it is not expected that they will understand the full Chinese sentences.
However, these resources are also suitable for older pupils learning the Chinese characters for numbers and colours and they may also recognise some other common characters within the stories.
Online book of the story.
Each child should have one of the number character cards and while the story is being read, the children point to the correct characters.
pdf version to download
Chinese only version
Each child should have one of the number character cards and while the story is being read, the children point to the correct characters.
pdf version to download
English & Chinese
Each child should have one of the number character cards and while the story is being read, the children point to the correct characters.
To be used with the Number Story.
Online book of the story.
Each child should have one of the colour character cards and while the story is being read, the children point to the correct characters.
pdf version to download
English & Chinese
Each child should have one of the colour character cards and while the story is being read, the children point to the correct characters.
pdf version to download
Chinese only version
Each child should have one of the colour character cards and while the story is being read, the children point to the correct character.
To be used with the Colour Story.
This version has the colour surround to easily recognise the characters. Use level 2 for more advanced pupils.
To be used with the Colour Story.
This version is for children who already know the Chinese characters for the colours.
A series of sound files with words, phrases and sentences used within the nursery outreach and the number and colour stories.
Many thanks to 张皓 Zhāng Hào for the sound files. Hào is studying for his PhD 'The interface between Scottish educational language policy and Mandarin pedagogy' at the University of Edinburgh.
The 'Beyond the Panda' resources focus on learning through fun, interactive activities, games and puzzles. The 'Panda Pass It On' game is an introductory game. Originally given the name because we sent some hard copy versions on a trip around Scotland and asked schools to pass on the game. You don't have to wait for a hard copy now, just download and play!
Zoo Fun with Mandarin is a short course available at various times throughout the year. Please contact srobb@rzss.org.uk to find out the next available dates.
The booklet can be downloaded but please note that it is designed to be used with the interactive activities and games within the course and with the assistance of the course teacher.
"When I was in Chengdu, I had a training on how to perform a Sichuan tea ceremony. From time to time we will hold tea ceremonies at RZSS Edinburgh Zoo. I have added this resource to our programme with the explanation of how this links to giant pandas - through their poo! It includes Mandarin language links." Sandie Robb
Play matching games to join the character building blocks to make other characters and words. The aim of these playing cards is to recognise Chinese radicals as character building blocks.
A Scotland China sorting game. Game board and picture cards for animals, inventions, artefacts and famous for... categories. Find out which are from China and which from Scotland.
A fun matching game looking at ancient and modern simplified Chinese characters. The four sets are identical but the different colours are provided should the teacher wish to split classes into different coloured groups. Cut out each of the squares and try to match the correct modern day character to the ancient character.
The Giant Lanterns of China at Edinburgh Zoo in 2019 has the theme of 'Lost Worlds' and will feature the dinosaurs in the bingo game along with many other magnificent lanterns.
Play the dinosaur bingo game and look closely at the names and characters. Find out the literal meaning in the translations booklet.
StampIT is the Association of Scottish Philatelic Societies (ASPS) education programme. It has a series entitled 'Language of Stamps' with various games to assist language learning. Stamps are an excellent medium to introduce the language and culture of a country. Please see their website - scottishphilately.co.uk
The games are also designed and developed by Sandie Robb, RZSS Language Project Coordinator in her voluntary role as the ASPS Development Officer.
Through the images on the stamps, this game provides an insight into the etymology of the Chinese characters (the study of their origin and the way in which their meanings have changed throughout history). It provides a deeper understanding behind the characters, the original pictograms, ideograms and phonograms. (Phonograms are where one part of the character links to the sound.)
There are different files to print the cards direct on to A5 paper or to print out the full set at A3.
Includes answers and further information on the characters.
Suggestions on ways to use the cards.
Full set on A3 to print and cut
A version of the popular memory card game using Chinese stamps - sometimes known as pairs, concentration or pelmanism.
Some worksheets designed in partnership with the Confucius Institute for Scotland's Schools.
