Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes Reading Literature Lesson
I like to get students excited about reading literature by having them do a fun activity to go with the story. This is especially true when the book has sad or “heavy” subject matter related to war. So, to get them excited about reading the short novella Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes, I let them make origami paper cranes of their own. First, I have them read background information about World War II events that relate to the story and an interview of a survivor. That’s the “heavy” part. Then, I have them read the story, which is sad but also enjoyable and inspiring. After all that is when I have them make the paper cranes, which they really enjoy.
Good news! I found a free copy online. It is still under copyright, though, so I am not going to print it or post it. You, as teachers, however are entitled to fair use to use it for education purposes (but not post or sell). Access it here: PDF of Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes
Here is how I would teach the book (but there are many options found on the web):
1) Learn about and then give students some basic background information on the bombing of Hiroshima by the United States that was an attempt to end World War II. Here are a couple good places for you as the teacher to read about it so you can summarize it for your students:
- https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/08/hiroshima-nagasaki-atomic-bomb-anniversary/400448/
- https://www.osti.gov/opennet/manhattan-project-history/Events/1945/hiroshima.htm
- https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/activities/teaching-content/world-war-ii-remembered/
- Make sure to have students read an interview with a Hiroshima bombing survivor, such as this one: https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/interview-survivor-hiroshima-bombing
2) Read the book to students or have the students read the book. Have them answer questions about each chapter. You can find reading comprehension questions free online on several websites, such as this one: https://www.pghschools.org/cms/lib07/PA01000449/Centricity/domain/262/2014%20ela%20curriculum/6th%20ELA/Grade%206%20Sadako%20Teachers%20Guide.pdf
3) Have them make paper cranes. The instructions are in the back of the book usually, or you can find some good ones online for free, such as: https://monkey.org/~aidan/origami/crane/index.html
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