RZSS: Beyond the Panda

Beyond the Panda
Beyond the Panda

Welcome to the FREE Beyond the Panda online learning resources exploring China, its language, culture, geography, giant pandas and other Chinese wildlife. Beyond the Panda is also a science specialist Confucius Classroom and all materials link to Curriculum for Excellence experiences and outcomes in science, topical science, social studies, language and literacy.

With thanks to our friends:
- For other free language resources in Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese and Gaelic, please see 'Science in the Language Class'
  
  Within Beyond the Panda there are also free virtual sessions available Contact srobb@rzss.org.uk for details
- Teacher Notes - Info, Planning & Learning Map File

China/Scotland Pack
*Virtual session available linked to this topic

A comparison project of China and Scotland aimed at P4-P7 level, which looks at the similarities and differences between the habitats and animals of each country. The game also includes cultural items from China and Scotland. Linked virtual session is available. Please email srobb@rzss.org.uk for details.

Partnered with JASS, this can fulfil part of the 'Me and My World' section. This can further involve actions to help save endangered animals, for example: making bird feeders, bug hotels, raising money for RZSS projects in the wild.

The resources are available in two formats:
- materials to download and print - (all materials are free to download but there is also the option to order professionally printed packs at cost price)
- online resources with interactive games.
Click on the items in the contents lists below.

The China/Scotland P4-P7 pack consists of:
- pupil workbook File
- China habitat map File
- Scotland habitat map File
- gameboard File
- game cards File
- how to play & answers to game File
- workbook answer booklet File
- China/Scotland sound files Folder
- Interactive online games linked to the pack and virtual session:
  
  Amur tiger and Scottish wildcat
  Sea eagles
  Chinese cobra and Scottish adder
  Chinese salamander and great crested newt
  Dragon and Loch Ness Monster
  China: Name the habitats
  Scotland: Name the habitats
  Chinese habitats with Chinese characters
  Chinese habitat flashcards
  Habitat definitions
  China/Scotland game
- Photos of animals compared in pack File
- Photos of skulls of animals compared in pack File
- Photos of skulls in pack - relative size File
- China/Scotland Skull Quiz Interactive Content
- Chinese animal fact files
- RZSS Chinese animals fact files
- Chinese mammal fact files Interactive Content
- Chinese bird fact files Interactive Content
- Chinese reptiles fact files Interactive Content
- Chinese amphibian fact files Interactive Content
- Chinese fish fact files Interactive Content
- P1-P3 activities for this topic
  Although topic is aimed at upper primary level, the following 3 games could be introduced to lower primary:
- China/Scotland Game - Level 1 Interactive Content
- China: Name the habitats
  
  Scotland: Name the habitats
- This project is supported by the Junior Award Scheme for Schools - JASS and can be used as part of the scheme.
Nursery Resources

These are character recognition activity stories. It is not expected that the children will understand the full Chinese sentences. The story books contain large pictures to help the children either count the items or see the colours. The number and colour cards are for the children to point to the correct characters and it is suggested that each child have a card while the story is being read.

Number Story
P1 - P3 Panda Pack
This pack covers a range of activities to learn about the giant panda, simple classification of vertebrate animals and to reinforce Mandarin numbers and colours.
Resources are available in different formats:
- materials to download and print for group activities - click on the items listed below
- individual workbooks for printing - see Panda Folders (level 1)
- online resources with interactive games (no printing required) - at present, for P1-P3 level, there are not many interactive games. More will be developed in due course. However, do have a look at the many online games developed for upper primary, some of which may be useful. You will find these in Panda Folders and in Virtual session resources
Some of the boards within this pack have been split into two. This is to enable printing at A3 (or A4) but to create an A2 (or A3) poster by joining the two sections. For these files there is also the option to download the single page.
The P1-P3 pack consists of:
P4 - P7 Panda Pack
This pack covers a range of activities to learn about the giant panda, including the history of giant panda conservation, classification of vertebrate animals, habitats and regions of China.
Resources are available in different formats:
- materials to download and print for group activities - click on the items listed below
- individual workbooks for printing - see Panda Folders (level 2)
- online resources with interactive games (no printing required) - both in Panda Folders (level 2) and Virtual session resources
Some of the boards within this pack have been split into two. This is to enable printing at A3 (or A4) but to create an A2 (or A3) poster by joining the two sections. For these files there is also the option to download as a single page.
The P4-P7 pack consists of:
S1 - S2 Panda Pack

This pack covers a broad range of activities in science, art, history and culture.
The S1-S2 pack consist of:
Secondary Endangered Species

This is an advanced endangered species pack which includes a Mandarin case study for qualification level.
The Secondary Endangered Species pack consists of:
Panda Folders
*Virtual sessions available linked to this topic

These packs have similar content to the P1-P3 (Level 1) and P4-P7 (Level 2) panda packs but have been designed as individual pupil workbooks instead of the group game activities which were in the panda packs. The panda folder is designed to be printed in booklet format, providing a double page spread for the maps and diagrams. If you cannot print in booklet format, the double spread pages are also provided as full pictures. Virtual sessions are available linked to both levels. Please email srobb@rzss.org.uk for details.

The resources are available in two formats:
- materials to download and print - (all materials are free to download but there is also the option to order professionally printed packs at cost price)
- online resources with interactive games.
Click on the items in the contents lists below.
- Panda Folders Level 1
- panda folder 1 File
- panda workbook 1 File
- panda workbook 1 - ANSWERS File
- panda habitat game (full picture) File
- Chinese animals (full picture) File
- panda senses (full picture) File
- giant panda senses matching game (download and print game)
- level 1 - all sound files Folder
- giant panda body parts sound files (linked to virtual session) Folder
- There are two virtual sessions available for P1-P3 (contact srobb@rzss.org.uk to book):
  Intro to the giant panda - Discover some facts about the giant panda & the red panda. Learn to recognise the Chinese characters for numbers 1-6 and the characters for big & small.
  I can see, hear, smell, taste & touch - Sandie will demonstrate the parts of the body we use for our senses and we will learn how to say and recognise the characters for these in Mandarin Chinese. Discover the giant panda senses and which ones are very important for survival.
  Interactive online games linked to the P1-P3 virtual sessions:
- The giant panda & the red panda Interactive Content
- Panda senses & body parts (online game) Interactive Content
- Sound files for P1-P3 virtual sessions Folder
- Panda Folders Level 2
- panda folder 2 File
- panda workbook 2 File
- panda workbook 2 - ANSWERS File
- panda game (full picture) File
- giant panda life-cylce (full picture) File
- habitats with characters (full picture) File
- China habitat map - current distribution (full pictures)
- China habitat map - historic distribution (full pictures)
- level 2 - all sound files Folder
- sound files linked to 'The giant panda' virtual session Folder
- A virtual session entitled 'The giant panda' is available. Discover the science and mysteries of the giant panda while exploring some basic Mandarin language. An interactive session where Sandie uses skulls and other models to demonstrate.
  Interactive online games linked to the Level 2 pack and virtual session:
  The giant panda's hand
  
  The giant panda's teeth
  
  Bamboo & the giant panda's distribution
  
  The giant panda and babies
Virtual session resources Level 2

free live virtual sessions available

Beyond the Panda now has an 7-8 week progressive programme of live virtual sessions for upper primary level which may also be of interest to lower secondary.

Partnered with and to enable safe delivery of our programme through established educational platforms. For Scotland through the schools Glow network. For other areas, delivered via Vscene. Please contact srobb@rzss.org.uk for booking and further details.
Sound files are from native Chinese teachers through our partners at

(At present there are only two virtual sessions for P1-P3 level - Please see Panda Folders Level 1 for details.)

Follow-on online and interactive resources for each session are listed below. Please also see the Panda Folders and the China/Scotland sections with additional materials to download and print relating to these sessions.
For the key objectives in the P4-P7 progressive programme, please see second page of the flyer and the other pdf details the CfE links.
- Virtual Sessions flyer File
- CfE links File
- 1. The giant panda
  Also see the Panda Folders section for other resources available for download and printing.
- The giant panda's hand Interactive Content
- The giant panda's teeth (also contains some advance language about teeth) Interactive Content
- The giant panda and babies Interactive Content
- Bamboo & the giant panda's distribution Interactive Content
- The giant panda sound files (linked to virtual session)
- 2. China/Scotland
  Also see the China/Scotland section for other resources available for download and printing.
- Amur tiger and Scottish wildcat Interactive Content
- Sea eagles Interactive Content
- Chinese cobra and Scottish adder Interactive Content
- Chinese salamander and great crested newt Interactive Content
- Dragon and Loch Ness Monster Interactive Content
- China: Name the habitats Interactive Content
- Scotland: Name the habitats Interactive Content
- Chinese habitats with Chinese characters Interactive Content
- Chinese habitat flashcards Interactive Content
- Habitat definitions Interactive Content
- China/Scotland Game Interactive Content
- 3. Sorting animals
- Sorting animals Interactive Content
- Sorting animals in Chinese Interactive Content
- Sentences In Mandarin: e.g The pika is a mammal Interactive Content
- Sorting animals sound files Folder
- 4. Chinese Endangered Species Part 1 - animals & distribution
- Chinese endangered species Interactive Content
- China Endangered Animals Quiz Interactive Content
- Sentences in Mandarin: e.g. 'The Amur tiger lives in...' Interactive Content
- China Endangered Species Pt 1 sound files Folder
- 5. Chinese Endangered Species Part 2 - threats & solutions
- Threats and solutions Interactive Content
- Threats in Chinese characters game Interactive Content
- Threats sound files Folder
- 6. A panda history
  
  For the virtual session we will play a version of the 'panda/bamboo timeline' board game with some fun interventions!
  
  The board game can be downloaded to play in full and is part of the P4-P7 Panda Pack:
  
  panda/bamboo timeline game board
  
  panda/bamboo timeline cards (designed for double-sided printing; question on one side/answer on back)
  
  how to play (included in the full Panda Pack Teacher Notes - pg 9)
  
  Online games:
- A panda history - match the dates Interactive Content
- Countries & Nationalities Interactive Content
- 7. Chinese Zodiac
  The virtual session will start with a little surprise to explain the names of the Chinese Zodiac animals.
  For follow-on activities play the online Chinese Zodiac game.
- Chinese Zodiac game Interactive Content
- A Sichuan tea ceremony is then demonstrated in the second part of the session. Download the booklet to remember all the important procedures and to see how this relates to giant pandas:
  
  Sichuan tea ceremony booklet
  
  When Sandie was is China, she went to a training to learn how to perform the tea ceremony:
  
  Photo gallery of tea ceremony
  
  You can download and print this Chinese etiquette game:
  Chinese etiquette game
  Or play this interactive game which follows on from the session:
- Etiquette game Interactive Content
- 8. Summary Quiz
  This quiz has questions from all 7 previous sessions relating to the science. There is a + sign to enlarge some of the pictures.
  Introduction is an online book to read and listen to the Mandarin introduction learned from this course along with a matching game.
  Introduction sound files also available for download.
- Course quiz - science Interactive Content
- Introduction - online book & activity Interactive Content
- Introduction sound files
- Competitions & Challenges
  StampIT has launched Stamp over October
  This series develops various skills and increases knowledge across the curriculum for the broad general education phase. The range of activities cover experiences and outcomes in many areas within expressive arts; language and literacy; mathematics; sciences; social studies and technologies. The activities will also last beyond October!
  There are also many Mandarin language activities and games within StampIT
Zoo Fun with Mandarin

Zoo Fun with Mandarin is our FREE family Mandarin language course.

This unique course introduces you and your family to the Mandarin language and Chinese characters while also learning about some Chinese animals and their habitats. Designed for 8 year olds right through to adults and children must be accompanied by an adult. The course is a series of three, one hour live virtual sessions spread across three days.
Currently there are no dates set for the next course. We try to have two opportunities per year and these are usually during summer holidays. Look out for dates.
For further information, contact srobb@rzss.org.uk
- Zoo Fun with Mandarin
  Important note: The course notes are designed to accompany the live virtual sessions led by the course teacher and therefore do not contain all the background teaching and information.
- course notes File
- Session 1. Let's count the animals
- Numbers 1-10 File
- Number matching (characters only) Interactive Content
- Let's count Interactive Content
- Let's count the animals Interactive Content
- Number story
  Matching number game (print out)
- Chinese habitats with Chinese characters
  
  China's animals and habitats
- Video - Chinese characters for mountains, trees, forest and rain URL
- Days of the week Interactive Content
- Months and years Interactive Content
- Session 2 - Let's introduce ourselves
- Let's introduce ourselves Interactive Content
- I, you, he, she, they, we... Interactive Content
- Useful expressions Interactive Content
- The giant panda's hand
  The giant panda's teeth (note: also contains some advance language about teeth)
- China habitat map - historic giant panda distribution File
- China habitat map - current giant panda distribution File
- Session 3 - Looking more closely at characters
- panda game
  Chinese Zodiac game
  StampIT's ancient animal characters matching game
- Video - some Chinese animal characters & how to say them URL
- Additional information
  
  Countries & Nationalities
- RZSS, Edinburgh Zoo & Highland Wildlife Park Interactive Content
Additional Resources

The additional resources section has a number of resources which are useful for all age groups and they also cover a wide range of subjects.

Sichuan booklets
- Sichuan tea ceremony booklet File
- Sichuan tea ceremony photo gallery Page
- Sichuan face changing booklet File
- Ancient character game
  
  A fun matching game looking at ancient and modern simplified Chinese characters. There are four sets which are identical but with different colours should you wish to split the class into different groups.
- ancient characters game (red set) File
- ancient characters game (blue set) File
- ancient characters game (green set) File
- ancient characters game (yellow set) File
- Chinese building blocks & radicals
- character building blocks - notes File
- Chinese building blocks set 1 File
- Chinese building blocks set 2 File
- Colourful pandas
- colourful pandas colouring worksheet File
- Dinosaur bingo game
- dinosaur bingo cards File
- dinosaur bingo calling cards File
- dinosaur bingo game translations File
- P4-P7 Endangered Species Game
- P4-P7 endangered species gameboard File
- animal distribution maps File
- P4-P7 endangered species - how to play & answers File
- P4-P7 endangered species sound files Folder
- China's animals and habitats game - an interactive online game
- Giant panda fact file
  
  Collating together some of the facts which can be learnt through the panda packs and other resources on this website.
- The giant panda fact file Page
- Sandie's visit to Chengdu - photo gallery
- Chengdu Panda Research Centre Page
- More pandas Page
- Dujiangyan Panda Valley Page
- Sichuan Opera Page
- Sugar Painting Page
- StampIT also provides resources to assist with the Mandarin language. Visit their Mandarin section. There is also a RZSS and StampIT China language competition.