Origami

Worksheet: Locating information and inference ungroup

Understanding

EN2-11Dungroup | ACELT1603 ungroup 

Create a timeline showing the history of origami and how its popularity increased across the world over time. To support students with additional needs the following events from the article can be printed onto flashcards, shuffled and students place them in the correct order. (please note the dot points are presented here in the correct chronological order)

• 105CE Paper invented in China
• Ancient Chinese burial rituals included folded paper items
• 8^th Century CE Paper made its way to Japan
• Japanese religious rituals incorporated folded paper
• Japanese people used origami for practical purposes like making wrappers and boxes for small items and herbs or making paper purses.
• 1860s – a group of Japanese conjurors toured Europe, including origami in their theatre shows
• Robert Harbi demonstrated origami on British Television and shortly after published origami books.
• 1973 – Nippon Origami Association founded in Japan

Make a table with three columns showing how the purpose of origami can be practical OR for entertainment OR for cultural ceremonies or events. Students complete the table using the information in the article. A sample is shown below:

Connecting

EN2-8Bungroup | ACELY1678ungroup

Text-to-text

Read ‘How to Make an Origami Fortune Teller.’ found on pages 23-25 of this issue of Blast Off!

Complete the table below comparing each text.

Discuss the following:

• Why is the language used different in each text?

Sample response: The information text ‘Origami’ uses engaging language features such as rhetorical questions and speaks directly to the reader using inclusive words like ‘you.’ It uses casual language like ‘real whiz’ and ‘word was truly out.’ It uses subheadings to divide the content into sections. The procedure ‘How to make an Origami Fortune Teller’ also uses the word ‘you’ to speak directly to the reader, but the style is more formal and structured. It has subheadings, and within those there are dot point lists as well as numbered steps. This is because the purpose of the procedure is very specific: it is designed to instruct people on how to make a fortune teller.’ The information text has a broader function and so it can be more conversational in style.

Text-to-world

Investigate how modern technology is making use of origami. Use the following websites/articles:

• How the ancient art of origami is inspiring cutting-edge technologyungroup
• 6 ways the centuries-old art of origami is bringing us the futureungroup

Form small groups (3-4 students) and focus on one aspect of modern technology that is influenced by origami. Use Prezi, PowerPoint, Keynote, Sway or another app you are familiar with, to design and deliver a short presentation about this new technology and how it uses features of origami in a different and innovative way.

Your purpose is to convince the audience that your new application is the most exciting and by far the best modern application of origami. You need to use persuasive language techniques for this task.

Experimenting

EN2-11Dungroup

Write a letter to a friend about your theatre experience and how you couldn’t believe your eyes! Imagine you were at one of the magic shows in Europe where you saw a Japanese Conjuror make a paper bird with flapping wings. You had never seen anything like it before!  Perhaps, after the show, you tried to make something from folded paper yourself – was is difficult? What did your friends, who saw the show with you, think? You may like to use the letter generator from Read Write Thinkungroup.

Research some different origami animals that can be folded out of paper. The Origami Resource Centreungroup is a great place to start. Find video tutorials or instructions and make some origami animals.

Write a script of a short play in which the origami animals you have created in the previous activity are the characters. Perform the play with a partner, using a cardboard box (or a puppet theatre) as a stage. You may like to add skewers, paddle pop sticks or string to turn your origami creations into puppets for the performance of your play.

Write a haiku about origami. Use the haiku interactive from Read Write Thinkungroup. Draw an illustration to accompany your haiku.

Reflecting

EN2-12Eungroup

Write a speech for the class on the following topic:

Are ancient crafts and technologies best left in the past?

Consider:

• What you have learnt about Origami from the article in this issue of Blast Off!
• Your research on modern applications of origami techniques
• Your personal opinion on the topic
• Use persuasive techniques to convince others of your stance
• Give evidence to support your points

Speeches may be presented live to the class or filmed.