Problem solving is a skill that elementary students need a lot of practice with. Using a read aloud to teach about problem solving is a great way for students to understand what it looks like. We recommend using The Panda Problem to show students an example of problem solving. Plus- students will enjoy listening to this hilarious story. - Jodi and the Starts With a Story Team
SUMMARY
The story The Panda Problem follows a narrator and a main character through a story. The narrator is trying to tell the story about a panda who has a problem, but the panda insists that he doesn’t have a problem.
Instead of the panda having a problem, he decides to create more and more problems for the narrator. Eventually, the panda has to admit that he has a problem when he finds himself hungry and all the way in Antarctica!
Students will laugh out loud while they hear the panda and narrator interact with each other in the story.
USE THIS BOOK TO TEACH:
- Analyze the plot of the story and discuss the problem and solution characters faced.
- Discuss the setting of the story and how it effected the story.
- Engage students in writing by asking them to write informational paragraphs about pandas.
- Allow students to get creative by writing their own stories about pandas.
- Practice identifying the different types of sentences in the book.
- Teach students the different ways author's use ellipses.
- Lead a class discussion on patience.
- Help students identify different strategies for problem solving.
NO-PREP PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES:
If you are looking for “ready to go” activities for the first day of school, be sure to check out the book companion. With it you’ll receive all of the following resources to align with this specific book:
- comprehension questions
- 30 writing prompts with themed paper
- vocabulary activities
- word study print & go activities
- ideas for grammar lessons with focus sentence printables
- social emotional learning discussion topics
- graphic organizers to target specific comprehension skills and strategies
Everything in this resource is specific to The Panda Problem, from the comprehension questions to the writing prompts. This companion will be your new best friend!
GET THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES
ADDITIONAL BOOK SUGGESTIONS
You and your students will also love these similar books:
- Ricky the Rock that Couldn't Roll by Jay Miletsky
- I'm Not Just a Scribble by Diane Alber
- Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev
- Giraffe's Can't Dance by Giles Andreae
TRY OUT A SAMPLE COMPANION
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