From Rutherglen to Japan 1000 paper birds with love
Burnside P7s learn about Hiroshima tragedy and inspiring girl
Youngsters from a Rutherglen primary school will this summer send 1,000 origami cranes to Japan in a symbol of peace after learning about an inspirational girl involved in the atomic bomb.
The P7 class at Burnside Primary School were introduced to atomic bomb victim Sadako Sasaki as part of their Japan topic which has covered geography, history and social studies.
The youngsters, aged 10 and 11, learned that Sadako survived the atomic bomb only to be exposed to radiation and develop leukaemia at the age of 11.
Following Japanese legend, the little girl folded 1,000 origami paper cranes in the hope she would be granted one wish.
She died on October 25, 1955, and was buried with 1,000 paper cranes made by her classmates.
A symbol of peace, Sadako has inspired Burnside youngsters to make 1,000 papers cranes to sit at the Children’s Peace Monument in Peace Memorial Park.
They will be sent to Hiroshima this summer, along with letters from students addressed to the city’s mayor.
Eleven-year-old Katie, whose letter to the Hiroshima mayor features on this week’s letters page, said: “I enjoyed learning about Sadako’s story because it’s very inspirational. I also liked learning about the Hiroshima bomb because it made me think about the dangers of nuclear weapons.”
P7 teacher Jennifer Edelsten said: “As this was a highly emotive and sensitive theme, I used the story of Sadako making the origami paper cranes in order to explore the issue of the atomic bomb as her story promotes a message of peace and hope.
“Her story really engaged the class and the class were very keen to send their peace cranes to Hiroshima in Sadako’s memory.
“Children all over the world send these cranes to Japan as a symbol of peace.
“This project looks at global citizenship and fits in with the messages we try to promote within the school.
“The paper cranes that were created as part of the project will be sent to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial and some will remain in the school as a way of remembering the current P7s.”
An interdisciplinary project, the Japan topic saw P7s do paintings inspired by Japanese landscape as they were introduced to Japanese traditions, culture and food.
They made sushi, were taught to use chopsticks, did Taiko drumming and sang Japanese songs, whilst also learning about natural disasters, the Japanese language and school routines.
To read Burnside pupils’ letters to the mayor of Hiroshima turn to page 34.