Paper Crane Instructions

Whiz Kids: John Adams Elementary School Community

John Adams Elementary School recently shipped 1,020 paper cranes that students, teachers and parents created to help the people of Japan in the wake of the devastating earthquake and tsunami on Mar. 11.

The effort, which was part of a project through Students Rebuild in partnership with DoSomething.org , was designed to ensure students worldwide have a way to support their Japanese peers.

Because of the overwhelming support from John Adams and other schools, businesses and individuals around the world, the Bezos Family Foundation , which had originally agreed to donate $2 per crane created in this project, increased its matching donation to $4. The 1,020 cranes created by the John Adams community that initially generated $2,040 in relief yielded $4,080. According to Art Teacher Morgan Johnson Norwood, students began working on the cranes as part of an art exercise addressing three-dimensional design and building skills, like following a diagram.

Morgan wanted to learn crane making herself and thought it might be fun to involve the students’ art in decorating her new baby’s room. What started out as a curriculum-based project evolved into a community effort with a mission once the events in Japan unfolded. Not only were the students highly motivated to overcome their initial frustration at learning the complex skill of crane making, but they were connecting their efforts with current events and asking questions ranging from the plate tectonics to the environment to human emotions, said Norwood. “As news unfolded from Japan, momentum began to build, and this little class project suddenly became viral.  Students began teaching other students, parents began emailing and calling to ask for origami tutorials and how they could help out at home, and teachers began making cranes in their own classrooms," Norwood said. "Everyone wanted to show their support and to help Japan in any way they could, even if they didn't have extra financial resources.  Ultimately, the John Adams family produced 1,020 cranes for Japan before the deadline, and the energy from our school community on this project was so inspiring."

Although it took several classes for students to become experts, they learned a great deal along the way. They learned craftsmanship and manual dexterity (lining up edges, making crisp folds), following step-by-step instructions, interpreting a diagram, comprehending symmetry; perseverance, activism and "using art as a means to connect with current and past world events; as well as the ability to teach others a new skill,” according to Norwood.

Fleur De Liza Blog: Tradition Thursday: 1000 Paper Cranes

The crane tradition has been part of many Japanese weddings and is becoming popular in modern American weddings as well. If a bride and groom fold the cranes together, it is said they will have a marriage filled with patience and trust. Collections of 1000 paper cranes, known as Senbazuru, are also often given as a wedding gift to wish the couple a thousand years of happiness.

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