Hope and Loss: Exploring Chapter 6 of 'Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes'

ELA-Literacy Grades 6th-8th (Literacy) 5:53 Video
Print Lesson Plan Watch Video

Lesson Description

This lesson delves into Chapter 6 of 'Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes,' exploring themes of friendship, illness, and the power of hope in the face of adversity. Students will analyze character interactions, identify key plot points, and discuss the emotional impact of the story.

Video Resource

Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes, Chapter 6

Read with Reina

Duration: 5:53
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Hope and resilience in the face of illness.
  • The impact of the atomic bomb on individuals and communities.
  • Friendship and empathy.
  • Coping with Loss

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to summarize the main events of Chapter 6.
  • Students will be able to identify the themes of friendship, hope, and loss in the chapter.
  • Students will be able to analyze the relationship between Sadako and Kenji.
  • Students will be able to connect the story to the historical context of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Briefly introduce the lesson objective and the context of Chapter 6. Remind students of the main characters and their situations. Briefly discuss how the after effects of the bomb could cause Leukemia. Ask students to think about if hope can cure?
  • Video Viewing (10 mins)
    Play the YouTube video 'Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes, Chapter 6' by Read with Reina. Encourage students to actively listen and take notes on key details and character interactions.
  • Class Discussion (15 mins)
    Facilitate a class discussion based on the discussion questions below. Encourage students to cite specific textual evidence from the video transcript.
  • Interactive Exercise: Character Analysis (15 mins)
    Students will complete a character analysis worksheet, focusing on Sadako and Kenji. They will analyze their traits, motivations, and relationships with each other. (See Interactive Exercises section below for details).
  • Wrap-up (5 mins)
    Summarize the key takeaways from the lesson. Preview the next chapter and its themes.

Interactive Exercises

  • Character Analysis Worksheet
    Students will complete a worksheet analyzing Sadako and Kenji. The worksheet will include sections for: Physical Description, Personality Traits, Motivations, Relationship with Other Characters, and Key Quotes. Students will need to provide at least three pieces of evidence from the text for each section.

Discussion Questions

  • How does Sadako show resilience in this chapter, despite her illness?
  • What is the significance of the paper cranes in the story?
  • How does Kenji's experience differ from Sadako's? How are they similar?
  • How does the nurse treat both Kenji and Sadako, are there any differences and why?
  • What does Sadako do to try and help Kenji?
  • What do you think Sadako is feeling at the end of the chapter when she is folding more cranes and makes the same wish?
  • Why is the maple tree an important place for Sadako to spend her time?

Skills Developed

  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
  • Textual Analysis
  • Empathy
  • Summarization

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What does Chizuko bring to Sadako?

Correct Answer: Colored Paper

Question 2:

What disease does Sadako have?

Correct Answer: Leukemia

Question 3:

Who does Sadako meet on the porch?

Correct Answer: Kenji

Question 4:

What does Sadako give to Kenji?

Correct Answer: A Paper Crane

Question 5:

What happens to Kenji at the end of the chapter?

Correct Answer: He dies

Question 6:

What does Nurse Yasunaga tell Sadako will happen when she finishes 1,000 cranes?

Correct Answer: She will live to be an old old lady

Question 7:

How does Kenji know his blood count is getting worse?

Correct Answer: He can read it on the chart

Question 8:

What does Sadako do when Nurse Yasunaga tells her Kenji died?

Correct Answer: She cries

Question 9:

What does the nurse say has happened to Kenji's spirit?

Correct Answer: It is free

Question 10:

What number crane is Sadako on at the end of the chapter?

Correct Answer: 464

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

Sadako's friends and family saved ______ for her good luck cranes.

Correct Answer: paper

Question 2:

Sadako met ______ on the porch, who was also ill.

Correct Answer: Kenji

Question 3:

Kenji tells Sadako he got leukemia from ______.

Correct Answer: his mother

Question 4:

Sadako tried to comfort Kenji by giving him a ______.

Correct Answer: paper crane

Question 5:

Nurse Yasunaga told Sadako to fold ______ cranes.

Correct Answer: 1,000

Question 6:

Sadako often sat by the ______ and looked out at the maple tree.

Correct Answer: window

Question 7:

Kenji said even the ______ can't help him.

Correct Answer: gods

Question 8:

Kenji had been living with an ______ in a nearby town.

Correct Answer: aunt

Question 9:

Sadako heard the rumble of a ______ being rolled down the hall.

Correct Answer: bed

Question 10:

Sadako made a big crane out of her ______ paper for Kenji.

Correct Answer: prettiest

Educational Standards

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.1:Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.2:Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.4:Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including vocabulary specific to domains related to history/social studies. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.6-8.2:Write informative/explanatory texts, including the narration of historical events, scientific procedures/ experiments, or technical processes.

Teaching Materials

Download ready-to-use materials for this lesson:

Student Worksheet Classroom Slides Assessment Quiz
Add to Google Classroom

User Actions

Sign in to save this lesson plan to your favorites.

Sign In

Share This Lesson