Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes
A Web Quest for Grades 3-5
By: Pat Duhon
Sadako and the Thousand
Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr is a true story about a girl who lived in
Japan toward the end of World War II. This Web Quest is designed to introduce
you to Sadako Sasaki and her country of Japan. Find out why Sadako is a heroine
to the children of Japan.
The Task
Before reading the book work with a
partner to:
- Discover interesting facts
about Japan.
- Make a chart comparing life
in the United States to life in Japan.
- Make a time line of events
related to Sadako Sasaki.
- Learn about when and where
the atomic bombs were dropped.
- Learn about the art of
origami.
The Process
- Sadako lived in Hiroshima,
Japan. Read about the country of Japan:
- Read about Daily
Life and Schools
in Japan (including the Q & A) section. Think about how life in the
United States compares to life in Japan. Make a chart listing the
similarities and differences in the following categories:
- Housing
- Food
- Dress
- Schools
- Create a time line. Include
the dates of the following important events:
- Japan bombs Pearl Harbor.
US declares War on Japan.
- Atomic bomb dropped on
Hiroshima
- Sadako born. (You will
need to do a little math.)
- Sadako died.
- Unveiling of Sadako
statue in Hiroshima Peace Park.
- Unveiling of Statue of
Sadako Sasaki in Seattle Peace Park.
- The United States used the
atomic bomb to end the war. Write a paragraph about the bombs that were
dropped. Include the following information:
- Name of the target
cities.
- How many people died in
each city?
- Who or what was the Enola
Gay?
- Who or what was “Little
Boy”?
- Who are what was “Fat
Boy?
- What is origami?
Ask your teacher for the materials and fold a paper
crane.
Evaluation
When you have finished with the
activities ask yourself these questions:
- Did you list four
characteristics of the Chugoku region of Japan?
- Does your chart comparing
Japan to the U.S. include similarities and differences in the categories of:
housing, food, dress, and schools?
- Does your paragraph about the
atomic bombs include information on the targeted cities, how many people
died in each city, the Enola Gay, Little Boy and Fat Boy?
- Were you able to follow
directions to fold a paper crane?
Conclusion
You have explored the land,
culture, and history of Japan. As you read the book, Sadako and the Thousand
Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr, think about how you feel about how you feel
about war.
Extending Activities
For additional origami projects
visit Joseph Wu’s Origami Page.