Origami Cranes
In the story of Sadako and the Thousand Cranes, Sadako sets out to make 1000 paper cranes in the hope that she will recover from her life-threatening illness.
Research questions:
- What do the paper cranes symbolise in Japan?
- Where might you see paper cranes in Japan now?
- In Australia or in the cultures represented in our class do we know of other symbols that have the same sort of meaning? What are they? Why do you think that people hold on to symbols in times of need?
- How do you make paper cranes? See if you can make one.
Resources:
Start by reading Sadako's story:
Coerr, Eleanor (1977). Sadako and the thousand paper cranes. New York: Puffin.
After you read Sadako's story the class may be interested to watch this video interpretation made by an 11 year old American girl, Rachel Cohn:
There are many websites which outline the history of origami. Here is a good example:
The History of Origami
This website has excellent instructions on how to make all different origami creations. It has written and visual directions!
Origami Club
Sample lesson plan for teachers:
Lesson plan on the symbolism of the crane
