Exploring: Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes

This book, by Eleanor Coerr, is a nonfiction story about a girl who lived in Japan toward the end of World War II.  This assignment will introduce you to Sadako Sasaki and country of Japan.

• Your task is to complete the assignment in each of the three boxes below.  You will need to identify the questions, connect to the website listed, and read the material to find the answers.  When you are finished you will have written a paragraph, completed a compare and contrast chart, designed a time line, and constructed a paper crane.  Do not use any websites other than those provided.

Sadako's Life in Japan

Sadako lived in Hiroshima, Japan.  Read about life in Japan, specifically about the daily life and schools.  You will need to click on and go through the question and answer sections.  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: (You can left click on the titles and go directly to the related web site.)

• Housing                                                                             

• Food

• Dress

• Schools

Sadako and World War II

Create a time line of the following important events: (You need the day, month, and year of each.)

• Japan bombs Pearl Harbor and U.S. declares war on Japan

• Atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima

• Sadako was born

• Sadako died

• Unveiling on Sadako statue in Hiroshima Peace Park

• Unveiling of Statue of Sadako Sasaki in Seattle Peace Park

Use the following web sites:

• The Sadako Story

• Atomic Bomb

• Pearl Harbor

The Atomic Bomb

The United States used the atomic bomb to end the war with Japan.  Write a paragraph about the bombs that were dropped.  You must use the proper paragraph format and include at least the following information:

• Name of the targeted cities

• How many people died in both cities

• Who or what was Enola Gay

• Who or what was "Little Boy"

• Who or what was "Fat Man"

All of this information can be found at this website:  The Atomic Bomb

Origami

Sadako made origami paper cranes.  Read about origami and then ask Mrs. Oliver for the materials to fold a paper crane.  Follow the instructions on the website and make your own crane.

• Origami and Paper Crane Instructions

When you are finished ask yourself the following questions before turning in your assignment:

1. Does your chart comparing Japan to the United States include similarities and differences in the areas of: housing, food, school, and dress?

2. Does your timeline have all the required dates?

3. Does your paragraph about the atomic bombs include all the required information?

4. Were you able to correctly fold the paper crane?

When you can answer "yes" to all the questions, you have completed your assignment and may hand it in!!!