Origami Cranes

In this instructable, I will be demonstrating how to fold 2 variations of an origami crane.

The crane is an important animal in Japanese culture. Origami cranes represent loyalty, hope, and peace with an interesting stories surrounding it's symbolism. Read more about its story and symbolism here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_thousand_origami_cranes

The Origami Crane involves many basic folds, making it the perfect basic/intermediate model to complete.

Objectives (6-9 grade)

• Students will be able to fold both or either version of the origami crane.
• Students will discover and comprehend the importance of folding with accuracy and care.
• Students take time and effort producing a model they are proud of.

STEL Applications:

• Standards
• Nature and Characteristics of Technology and Engineering - Students in this project will understand and go through the process of turning a piece of paper into a 3D model meeting the standard of studying the way technology products and systems are created.
• Design in Technology and Engineering Education - Students tap into hands on problem solving skills in this tutorial. Once students can comprehend and complete this projects steps, students are free to apply their own creativity using different materials or decorating their crane.
• Core Concepts of Technology and Engineering - Students are introduce to components of systems and how they come together to create products or a system. In this tutorial, students will learn each fold is a key part and is important in creating this product.
• Practices
• Making and Doing - Students will be participating in a hands on project, creating a 3D model from a sheet of paper.
• Critical Thinking - Students will encounter folds and steps they may not understand and will need to apply critical thinking to overcome the problem.
• Systems Thinking - Students are introduced to system thinking by understanding each fold is a key part in the making of this model and cannot create this model without being see to detail.
• Context
• Material Conversions and Process - Students using materials such as different types of paper to create a 3D product.

All you need is any sort of paper that is accessible to you and can be cut into a square. In this instructable, I will be using blank printer paper but you can use;

• notebook paper
• sticky notes
• newspaper
• magazines
• origami paper

Cost- 500ct pack ($6) or 1 piece of paper ($0.10 to $1.20)

For this tutorial to work, your sheet of paper must be a square. If you are starting with printer paper or notebook paper, an easy way to create a square is folding the top edge against either side edge of the paper, then cutting or ripping off the excess.

Fold diagonally across the paper in both directions and unfold. Insure as you fold throughout this tutorial to run ur fingernail or the side of a pencil to the fold is creased into the paper and is flat. Doing this will insure as you to have an easier time folding down the line and your crane is neat.

Flip your paper over, then fold and unfold your paper horizontally and vertically.

Turn your paper 45 degrees then fold the left and right corner to the center while bringing the top point to the bottom point. Once finished, you should have a diamond base called the origami square base.

Starting the open end at the bottom, fold the bottom right edge to the crease in the center. Repeat with the front left edge. Unfold both edges and fold the top point down.

Pull the bottom of the front layer up and fold along the creases you made in the last step. You have just completed a squash fold!

Flip to the other side and repeat steps 5 and 6. Continuing the tutorial will be instructions to the flying crane version. If you wish to complete original origami crane continue to step 13.

Fold the right edge to the left edge. Flip model and repeat on the other side.

Fold bottom point up. Flip model and repeat on other side.

Create a head by flattening the fold then reverse folding by pulling the top of the tip down.

Your flying crane is complete!

To make your crane fly, hold the base of the head of the crane then gently pull the tail of the crane back and forth. Now watch your crane fly!

Starting from step 7, we are going to fold both right and left edges to the center.

Flip model and repeat step 13 on the other side. Then lift the bottom flap up, flip model, and repeat on the other side.

Fold the right edge to the left edge. Flip your model and repeat on the other side

Gently fold the top flap point down, flipping the model and repeating on the other side.

Create a head by flattening one of the folds then reverse folding by pulling the top of the tip down.

Gently pull the wings to "inflate" the body of the crane.

Your crane is now complete! Now you can decorate your crane using different types of paper or drawing on it, or even creating multiple and hanging them on strings.