Here you’ll find a variety of lesson plans, with one for each age group. Feel free to mix and match the activities that work best for your students. There’s also an alternative lesson plan at the end for even more flexibility.
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Pre-K Lesson Plan (Ages 3-4)
Learning Objectives
Identify basic emotions such as happy, sad, and frustrated.
Participate in a group read-aloud and activity.
Practice problem-solving by searching for a hidden object.
Develop listening and comprehension skills.
Materials
Panda is Missing Book or Read-aloud video (Q&A section is optional but recommended! Not included in timing)
Procedure (45 minutes)
(5 mins) Introduction: Gather students and ask them to share their favorite stuffed toy. Discuss how they would feel if their favorite toy went missing.
(10 mins) Watch the Read-Aloud: Play the video read-aloud of 'Panda is Missing!' or read the book. Ask students to pay close attention to how Zinc is feeling throughout the story.
(10 mins) Emotion Faces: Talk about the different feelings Zinc had (worried, frustrated, silly, happy). Have students draw a picture of a face showing one of these emotions.
(15 mins) Panda Hide-and-Seek: Hide a stuffed panda in the classroom. Tell the students they are now detectives like Zinc and Cobalt. Have them search for the panda, encouraging them to talk about where they are looking.
(5 mins) Wrap-Up: Once the panda is found, discuss how everyone feels now. Reinforce the idea that it's okay to have big feelings when something is lost and how happy we feel when it's found.
Kindergarten Lesson Plan - Age 5
Learning Objectives
Identify and name a range of emotions.
Describe how a character's actions can affect a situation.
Understand the importance of friendship and helping others.
Collaborate with peers on a simple task.
Materials
Panda is Missing Book or Read-aloud video
Procedure (40-60 minutes)
(5 mins) Warm-Up: Start a discussion about friendship. Ask students, 'What does it mean to be a good friend? How do friends help each other?'
(10 mins) Watch the Read-Aloud: Play the video read-aloud of 'Panda is Missing!' or read the book.
(15 mins) Character Feelings Chart: Create a two-column chart on the paper labeled 'Zinc's Feelings' and 'Why?'. As a class, fill out the chart with emotions Zinc felt (e.g., worried, frustrated, silly, relieved) and the events that caused those feelings.
(10 mins) Tidy-Up Teamwork: Remind students how the messy room made the problem worse. Turn on some music and challenge the class to work as a team to tidy up a designated area (like the block corner or reading nook) in a set amount of time.
(20 mins) Optional Author Q&A Exploration: Watch the author's Q&A video. Afterward, lead a discussion. Say, 'The author answered some great questions! If we could talk to the author right now, what new questions would you want to ask about Zinc, Cobalt, or how stories are made?' List their questions on the board.
1st Grade Lesson Plan - Age 6
Learning Objectives
Identify the main characters, setting, problem, and solution in a story.
Sequence the major events of the plot in chronological order.
Understand the concept of cause and effect related to the characters' actions.
Express comprehension through drawing and discussion.
Materials
Panda is Missing Book or Read-aloud video
Procedure (45-70 minutes)
(5 mins) Introduction: Pose a question to the class: 'Have you ever made a mistake while trying to solve a problem? What happened?' Allow for a brief sharing session.
(10 mins) Watch the Read-Aloud: Play the video read-aloud of 'Panda is Missing!' or read the book.
(15 mins) Class Story Map: On the board, draw a simple story map with sections for Characters, Setting, Problem, Key Events, and Solution. Fill it out together as a class, focusing on how the robots' attempts to find Panda were the key events that made the mess bigger.
(15 mins) My 'Big Mistake' Comic Strip: Give each student a piece of paper and have them fold it into four squares. They will draw a four-panel comic: 1. The problem (Panda is missing). 2. A silly attempt to find him. 3. The realization of the big mistake (the mess!). 4. The solution (finding Panda).
(25 mins) Optional Author Q&A Exploration: Watch the author's Q&A video. Initiate a follow-up discussion by asking, 'The author talked about writing the book. What new questions do you have about the pictures in the book? Or maybe you have an idea for a sequel you'd like to ask about?'
2nd Grade Lesson Plan - Age 7
Learning Objectives
Define and demonstrate an understanding of empathy.
Analyze a character's perspective and motivations.
Write a short piece from a specific character's point of view.
Brainstorm and evaluate alternative solutions to a problem.
Materials
Panda is Missing Book or Read-aloud video
Procedure (65 minutes)
(5 mins) Empathy Discussion: Introduce the word 'empathy' and define it as 'understanding how someone else feels.' Ask students to think about how Zinc felt when he couldn't find Panda.
(10 mins) Watch the Read-Aloud: Play the video read-aloud of 'Panda is Missing!' or read the book.
(15 mins) A Letter from Panda: Instruct students to write a short letter from Panda's perspective. The letter should be addressed to Zinc and explain where he was hiding in the messy room and how he felt being lost.
(10 mins) Better Bot Brainstorm: In pairs or small groups, have students brainstorm at least three other ways Zinc and Cobalt could have found Panda without making such a big mess. They should choose their best idea and be prepared to share it with the class.
(25 mins) Optional Author Q&A Exploration: Watch the author's Q&A video. Foster higher-level thinking by asking, 'We heard the author answer questions about the story. Now, let's think like authors ourselves. What new questions can we come up with about the theme of the book, like friendship or making mistakes? What would you ask about the author's writing process?'
Alternative Lesson Plan - Ages 3 - 7
Exploring Emotions: A Bilingual (English-Spanish) Lesson for Ages 3–7
Learning Objectives
Identify and name basic emotions.
Learn and use vocabulary for basic emotions in English and Spanish.
Draw facial expressions to represent different emotions.
Describe situations that cause different emotions, verbally and/or in writing.
Materials
Panda is Missing Book or Read-aloud video
Bilingual (English-Spanish) activity sheets
Coloring and writing supplies (pencils, crayons, markers, or colored pencils)
Procedure (45 minutes - 70 minutes)
(5 mins) Emotion Warm-Up: Ask: “Can you show me a happy face?” (Demonstrate smiling.) Then: “What does a sad face look like?” Continue with other emotions—angry, scared, worried, surprised.
(10 mins) Vocabulary Introduction: Introduce the word “feliz,” meaning “happy” in Spanish. Introduce the word “triste,” meaning “sad” in Spanish.
(10 mins) Song Activity: Sing “If You’re Happy and You Know It.” Bonus: Repeat the song using Spanish words like “feliz” and “triste” (e.g., “Si estás feliz y lo sabes…”).
(10 mins) Story Time: Read the book Panda is Missing! (A Robot Adventure) or watch the read-aloud video.
(5 mins) Story Discussion: Discuss the different emotions the characters (Zinc and Cobalt) experience. Bonus: Introduce additional Spanish words:
a. asustado/asustada = scared
b. confundido/confundida = confused
(5 mins) Activity Sheets: Younger children: Color the pictures. Older children: Write or dictate what makes them feel happy, sad, scared, etc.
(25 mins) Optional Author Q&A Exploration: Watch the author's Q&A video. Foster higher-level thinking by asking, 'We heard the author answer questions about the story. Now, let's think like authors ourselves. What new questions can we come up with about the theme of the book, like friendship or making mistakes? What would you ask about the author's writing process?'
Bonus: Read instructions in both Spanish and English to increase language exposure.