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.
Sections - Panda Pass It On and resources provide Mandarin language and science related worksheets and games.
The China Mobile Library and Endangered Species sections provide instructions and follow-on material for the panda box loans and outreach. Finally, the Premium Resources are available on purchase of the economy primary and secondary resource packs.
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 available FREE to schools throughout Scotland and north of England.
New arrangements for the China Mobile Library: (note these are slightly different to arrangements detailed in the brochure and now replace the panda box loans)
On booking the China Mobile Library, an expert visit will be arranged for the school. The RZSS Language Project Coordinator will bring skulls, bamboo and other artefacts to investigate and play a game with the class linked to the activities within our panda packs. The Project Coordinator will also bring a panda pack for the school to keep. This will be a high quality card version of the original panda box, ready cut and ready to use but we would advise laminating for a longer life.
We hope these new arrangements will allow schools to fully utilise the games and activities and that more schools will be able to book each year. Our panda boxes are very popular and feedback has been excellent but due to the previous two week loan period it isn't always easy to use the games and activities within the boxes to their full potential. This new method provides the school with a panda pack in order to build upon the learning and experiences from the expert visit.
Additional panda packs are available to download and print from the premium section of the website - cost £30. See Premium Resources section below for details. Click on the links within that section to see what is included in the panda packs. This charge covers some of our administration costs.
All resources are linked to Mandarin language learning. To book contact srobb@rzss.org.uk
The following materials accompany the China Mobile Library panda packs, providing information on how to play the games, further information and answers.
Accompanying the P1 - P3 panda pack - a guide on how best to use the materials, answers to the activities and some follow on activities.
Accompanying the P4 - P7 panda pack - a guide on how best to use the materials, answers to the activities and some follow on activities.
Beyond the Panda 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.
The materials for the Chinese Endangered Species outreach are not available to purchase or to download. These outreach sessions are led by the RZSS Language Project Coordinator.
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 only available as a FREE outreach. The resources are not available to purchase or download. There is, however, a China & giant panda colour story as a follow on from the outreach session. It is available in English & Chinese and Chinese only versions. There are also two levels of the associated colour character card.
The story is also suitable for older pupils learning Chinese colour characters.
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.
The 'Beyond the Panda' resources focus on learning through fun, interactive activities, games and puzzles. See the full range available in the Beyond the Panda brochure. As an introduction, try our fun 'Panda Pass It On' 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 4 hour 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.
Beyond the Panda is a free educational programme, sponsored by the Confucius Institute for Scotland, Confucius Institute for Scotland's Schools and Arnold Clark. The China Mobile Library and the Endangered Species outreach sessions are free of charge. On booking the China Mobile Library, you now get one card copy of the panda packs. However, if you would like access to download and print more copies, there is a fee of just £30 per school. This helps cover some of the administration.
Primary:
For a school access fee of £30, the P1-P3 and P4-P7 packs are available to download and print.
Secondary:
For a school access fee of £30, the S1-S2 pack and the Secondary Endangered Species game pack are available to download and print.
If you click on the links below, you will see pictures and descriptions of the items within each pack but please note payment of the access fees are necessary to download any of the games and activities.
Once purchased and logged on, you will gain access to the associated premium materials.
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 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.
