"Sadako And The Thousand Paper Cranes" Literature Study

 

Introducing nonfiction literature can be a delicate matter when dealing with middle school students. Just mentioning the topic of nonfiction seems to bring out the yawns and groans out of even the most attentive students. This is why I am very cautious in selecting the first piece of nonfiction literature that my students read. When selecting any piece of literature, I take into account student interests and prior knowledge. My goal is to have students quickly connect to what they are reading. With this criterion in mind, my students begin our nonfiction literature study with a biography. Each student chooses a person to read and research independently, as well as participate in a whole class biography study with Eleanor Coerr's book "Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes". Coerr's writing magnificently presents the legacy of Sadako Sasaki's life in such a way that students often need to be reminded that they are reading a true story.  Each year this story helps students successfully engage in learning about nonfiction, as well as Japanese culture and American and world history. Coupled with the independent biography project, students discover that nonfiction literature is more than reading from dusty textbooks.

After a whole class discussion on nonfiction and biographies, I introduce the book "Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes" by having students engage in a jigsaw reading activity. The class is divided into four groups. Two groups read and summarize articles about Japanese culture, a third group does the same with an article on Japan's geography and economy,while the fourth group reads and summarizes an article on Pearl Harbor and the atomic bomb. After each group has read and summarized their articles, they regroup  and a member of each article group is with others from the different article groups. Each member shares what they have read. After each student shares their information, we meet again as a whole class. Each student is given three Post-It notes on which to write down three facts they have learned from the jigsaw activity. The Post-Its are placed on a bulletin board that is categorized "culture", "history", and "geography."

Students take this information and predict the setting, conflict, characters, and events of the novel. I give students a chart to compare facts learned from the book to what we have learned and discussed in class. At this point students are familiar with World War II, Pearl Harbor, the atomic bomb, and leukemia. All topics were included in the jigsaw and class discussions. As we read the book students are easily able to compare and connect historical and cultural facts. During the reading, I provide students with journal entries, comprehension questions, and an assignment where they compose a friendly letter to Sadako. My sixth grade students make the connection that Sadako was their age when she became sick, and the journal entries and reading responses reflect that connection.

At the conclusion of the book, students use their fact charts to discuss what we predicted and learned before, during, and after reading. I like to end this literature study with an online assignment. Students can visit the Kids Peace Station, where they can further read and explore information about Sadako, Hiroshima, lessons learned from the atomic bomb, and Peace Day. I also have students research America's Constitution Day and the National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center. As a class we then compare history, culture, and how we commemorate events and people across cultures. Class discussions are powerful during this study, and students are easily able to distinguish this as nonfiction that connects to their lives and culture. "Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes" is a powerful literature study with a tremendous amount of resources. The following is only a sample of the lessons and activities designed to engage students in learning in connection to this novel.   

The Atomic Bomb, History Lessons, And More With "Sadako And The Thousand Paper Cranes" Lesson Plans:

Japanese History: A Thousand Paper Cranes: In this lesson students read the book "Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes" as a class, and then they choose another book to read about Asian American history. Students compare and contrast the two books and share their reactions with the class. 

Hiroshima Through Japanese Eyes: Students research and explore the bombing of Hiroshima at the end of World War II and its effect on Japan and the world. During this lesson students not only read and study the biography of Sadako Sasaki, but they also research and learn about Japanese culture, and the Peace Park Memorial. A variety of activities including both reading and writing assignments are included in this lesson. 

Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes: This unit study of the book "Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes" includes a variety of activities and studies. Activities include locating Japan on a map, learning about the devastating affects the atomic bomb had on the Japanese people, and writing and sending a letter to the Sadako's Club for Students.

The Story of Sadako and The Art of Origami: Students learn about Sadako Sasaki and the symbolism of the paper crane. After studying Hiroshima, Japanese culture, and the atomic bomb, students will learn how to make paper cranes. During the folding of the cranes, students will also learn about fractions as they fold the paper.