How This Book Got Red (2025-2026 Show Me Reader Nominee) : Home

1st, 2nd, 3rd

MO School Library Instructional Standards

K-2

Information Literacy: Utilize: Utilize Information: 

• Use a print or digital source for an information need.

Information Literacy: Synthesize: Understand Information: 

• Understand information found in guided research.

3rd

Information Literacy: Synthesize: Organize Information: 

• Organize information found in guided research.

1 class period of 40-50 minutes (Dependent on whether you complete the activity as a whole class or individually.)

This lesson was created by Marlana Howerton from Ezard Elementary School. 

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Students will listen to How This Book Got Red by Margaret Chiu Greanias and then explore facts about red pandas using the National Geographic Kids Red Panda Primary Resource. They will use a journal sheet to show their learning by writing key facts about red pandas. 

• National Geographic Kids Red Panda Primary Source (free download at the bottom of the linked page) 
• Book: How This Book Got Red by Margaret Chiu Greanias 
• Author Name Pronunciation: Margaret Chiu Greanias
• Illustrator Name Pronunciation: Melissa Iwai
• Red Panda Primary Resource Research - Digital or Printable (Editable Canva template) 

Learning Objectives

K-2

• Students will be able to use a print or digital source for an information need. 
• Students will be able to understand information found in guided research. 

3rd

• Students will be able to organize information found in guided research. 

I Can Statements

K-2: 

• I can use a book or digital source to find information I need.
•  I can understand facts I find in guided research.

3rd

• I can organize information I find in guided research.

Before Reading

1. Begin by showing the cover of How This Book Got Red. Ask students to predict what the book might be about. Discuss their ideas.
2. Explain that the book explores how Red (red panda) does not see herself represented in a book or when she goes places.
3. Have you ever noticed someone like you in a book? What about when you go places? How does that make you feel? 

During Reading

1. Optional: Have students listen to the author and illustrator name pronunciations from TeachingBooks.net. 
2. Read aloud How This Book Got Red, pausing to ask questions:
   • Why is Red so upset after Gee finishes her book, Pandas Everywhere? 
   • When Red gets frustrated, how does she react? 

After Reading

• After seeing how frustrated Red got when she tried to write a book about red pandas, think of a time when you were upset and nothing seemed to go your way. What did you to do make the situation better? 
• How did Gee try to make Red feel better? 
• What do you know about red pandas? 
• Explain to students that today's focus will be on:
  • (K-2) using print or digital sources to find information and understanding information found in guided research;.
  • (3rd) organizing information found in guided research. 

Red Panda Primary Resource Activity

1. Introduce the Nat Geo Kids Red Panda Primary Resource and either distribute printed copies or display it digitally. You will have to download the resource from the Nat Geo Kids website link . Pg. 1 of the resource has minimal information, but talks about where red pandas live and shows a large photo of a red panda. Pg. 2 has lots of facts and information students will need to fill in their journal sheets. 
2. Guide students in reading and exploring key facts about red pandas:

• What do they eat?
• Where do they live? 
• What are a few of their characteristics? 

Journal Writing Activity

Hand out the Red Panda Primary Resource Research pages and the printable Red Panda Primary Source Research printable and ask students to fill in each section. Optional: You can also distribute this digitally to students through Google Classroom, SeeSaw, etc. I included the editable Canva template link for you to adapt this journal writing activity to fit your needs.

If you don't have time for individual or small group research, just project the information for all to see and complete it together as a class. Allow students to verbally give you the info to fill in for each section. . 

• The K-1 version has less questions and is a little easier.
• The 2nd-3rd grade version has more questions and requires more writing. .

Before students leave, have them turn to a neighbor and tell them their favorite fact they learned about red pandas. 

• Check for participation in discussion and engagement during the journal writing activity. 
• Review students’ journal writing for key facts and effort in their work. 

• If students are struggling to write, have them answer the questions verbally or point out the answers in the text of the Red Panda Primary Source, but still allow them to draw. 
• If students need a challenge, encourage them to research an additional animal and compare it's habitat, diet, and characteristics to those of the red panda. 
• If needed, the printables are differentiated and could be used to go down a level for older students or up a level for younger students.