Arts of Asia in Reach
1,000 Cranes Lesson Plan
4. Assessment & Closure


Each student will produce AT LEAST one completed origami crane.
*Note: Please see attached Rubric.


Have Students create a total of 1000 cranes over the next few weeks to send to the Memorial Park in Japan. Discuss the impact of war including the continuance of its effects over a prolonged period of time. Have students relate the story of Sadako and the bombing of Hiroshima to current events. For advanced students, propose the idea of stereotyping and how it relates to current events today as well as to battles or wars fought prior to Hiroshima. Can students think of similar personal experiences as well? Have they ever been victims of stereotyping, discrimination, or prejudice or have they been the facilitators of such activities?

Across the Curriculum

Discuss the events of WWII in further detail. Talk about the condition of Hiroshima before and after the bombing. Research the origin of origami. Where did the tradition arise? How long has it been part of the culture? How did the crane become a symbol of peace?

Discuss the nature of the crane such as its habitat, its lineage, its eating habits, etc.

Research the folding process involved in creating a paper crane. What shapes are created if you unfold the crane? Practice creating equal fractions, folding in halves, thirds, etc.

Find other literature based on the crane or origami. Following folding directions from other origami animals or shapes. Research Japanese culture.

Contact a pen pal from Japan. Write a thank you letter to a veteran or a current soldier. Write a journal entry about Sadako's life experiences. Write a reactionary paper to the story of Sadako. Write a Haiku poem about Japan.

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