Panda Research in Third Grade

Third grade researchers are becoming experts in understanding all aspects of the panda's development, life and conservation efforts, diet, body and information about bamboo and other facts of interest. Students read a variety of books that help them to access information about the panda. They utilize the features of nonfiction in the books that can help them locate and understand information such as the table of contents, glossary, index, headings and captions.

Students have read articles about the habitat of the panda and the panda's development that enable them to highlight important information and then to include that information in their informational charts. Using a variety of books and resources allow the student to find a variety of information about the panda- it is unusual that one book would have all of the information needed to truly understand the panda. There is also often the opportunity for students to share interesting facts that they have discovered. This allows other students to listen to a fact that they might not have found themselves. Once they have heard it from another student they can then read that same resource in order to understand the topic in a deeper way.