2022
The Origami Activity
November 2022

“The Origami Activity,” Friend, November 2022, 28–29

The Origami Activity

By Amie Jane Leavitt

(Based on a true story)

Panel 1: A young Japanese boy (Toshi) is setting origami figures out at a table. They are different colors. There are craft supplies. His dad is helping. Panel 2: The table is done, Toshi is looking at it and Dad is walking toward the door. Panel 3: Toshi and his dad are sitting at the table along with other children. A woman (Sister Morgan) is standing at the head of the table and speaking. Panel 4: Toshi is speaking and holding up an origami bird/boat/illustrator’s choice. The children are smiling and holding versions of the same origami in different colors. Panel 5: The children are divided into two groups at each end of the table. Each group is around a paper where they are drawing a frog together. Toshi is in a group, but he is watching and smiling. Panel 6: Toshi is standing and stacking paper to make a tower. Two children are standing next to him ready to hand him another piece of paper Panel 7: Still at the table, they are eating ice cream. There are many different kinds of candy and toppings. Panel 8: Toshi and his dad are standing at the front door seeing the kids out. A few are walking out, smiling. One is talking to Toshi and his dad. Panel 9: Toshi is speaking, Dad is smiling. Activity Spot: Draw a frog illustration on the bottom right page, include dotted lines of pieces of the frog to show kids sections to draw.

Toshi just moved from Japan to the Philippines. He planned a fun activity for his Primary class.

Are you excited, Toshi?

Yes, but I’m a little scared too. I don’t speak the same language as the other kids.

That’s OK! I’ll tell them what you say.

Panel 1: A young Japanese boy (Toshi) is setting origami figures out at a table. They are different colors. There are craft supplies. His dad is helping. Panel 2: The table is done, Toshi is looking at it and Dad is walking toward the door. Panel 3: Toshi and his dad are sitting at the table along with other children. A woman (Sister Morgan) is standing at the head of the table and speaking. Panel 4: Toshi is speaking and holding up an origami bird/boat/illustrator’s choice. The children are smiling and holding versions of the same origami in different colors. Panel 5: The children are divided into two groups at each end of the table. Each group is around a paper where they are drawing a frog together. Toshi is in a group, but he is watching and smiling. Panel 6: Toshi is standing and stacking paper to make a tower. Two children are standing next to him ready to hand him another piece of paper Panel 7: Still at the table, they are eating ice cream. There are many different kinds of candy and toppings. Panel 8: Toshi and his dad are standing at the front door seeing the kids out. A few are walking out, smiling. One is talking to Toshi and his dad. Panel 9: Toshi is speaking, Dad is smiling. Activity Spot: Draw a frog illustration on the bottom right page, include dotted lines of pieces of the frog to show kids sections to draw.

We have lots of games and treats. I hope they like it.

Of course they will. And it sounds like they’re here!

Panel 1: A young Japanese boy (Toshi) is setting origami figures out at a table. They are different colors. There are craft supplies. His dad is helping. Panel 2: The table is done, Toshi is looking at it and Dad is walking toward the door. Panel 3: Toshi and his dad are sitting at the table along with other children. A woman (Sister Morgan) is standing at the head of the table and speaking. Panel 4: Toshi is speaking and holding up an origami bird/boat/illustrator’s choice. The children are smiling and holding versions of the same origami in different colors. Panel 5: The children are divided into two groups at each end of the table. Each group is around a paper where they are drawing a frog together. Toshi is in a group, but he is watching and smiling. Panel 6: Toshi is standing and stacking paper to make a tower. Two children are standing next to him ready to hand him another piece of paper Panel 7: Still at the table, they are eating ice cream. There are many different kinds of candy and toppings. Panel 8: Toshi and his dad are standing at the front door seeing the kids out. A few are walking out, smiling. One is talking to Toshi and his dad. Panel 9: Toshi is speaking, Dad is smiling. Activity Spot: Draw a frog illustration on the bottom right page, include dotted lines of pieces of the frog to show kids sections to draw.

Thanks for inviting us, Toshi! We’re so happy to be here.

Toshi will speak Japanese, and I’ll tell you what he says.

Panel 1: A young Japanese boy (Toshi) is setting origami figures out at a table. They are different colors. There are craft supplies. His dad is helping. Panel 2: The table is done, Toshi is looking at it and Dad is walking toward the door. Panel 3: Toshi and his dad are sitting at the table along with other children. A woman (Sister Morgan) is standing at the head of the table and speaking. Panel 4: Toshi is speaking and holding up an origami bird/boat/illustrator’s choice. The children are smiling and holding versions of the same origami in different colors. Panel 5: The children are divided into two groups at each end of the table. Each group is around a paper where they are drawing a frog together. Toshi is in a group, but he is watching and smiling. Panel 6: Toshi is standing and stacking paper to make a tower. Two children are standing next to him ready to hand him another piece of paper Panel 7: Still at the table, they are eating ice cream. There are many different kinds of candy and toppings. Panel 8: Toshi and his dad are standing at the front door seeing the kids out. A few are walking out, smiling. One is talking to Toshi and his dad. Panel 9: Toshi is speaking, Dad is smiling. Activity Spot: Draw a frog illustration on the bottom right page, include dotted lines of pieces of the frog to show kids sections to draw.
Panel 1: A young Japanese boy (Toshi) is setting origami figures out at a table. They are different colors. There are craft supplies. His dad is helping. Panel 2: The table is done, Toshi is looking at it and Dad is walking toward the door. Panel 3: Toshi and his dad are sitting at the table along with other children. A woman (Sister Morgan) is standing at the head of the table and speaking. Panel 4: Toshi is speaking and holding up an origami bird/boat/illustrator’s choice. The children are smiling and holding versions of the same origami in different colors. Panel 5: The children are divided into two groups at each end of the table. Each group is around a paper where they are drawing a frog together. Toshi is in a group, but he is watching and smiling. Panel 6: Toshi is standing and stacking paper to make a tower. Two children are standing next to him ready to hand him another piece of paper Panel 7: Still at the table, they are eating ice cream. There are many different kinds of candy and toppings. Panel 8: Toshi and his dad are standing at the front door seeing the kids out. A few are walking out, smiling. One is talking to Toshi and his dad. Panel 9: Toshi is speaking, Dad is smiling. Activity Spot: Draw a frog illustration on the bottom right page, include dotted lines of pieces of the frog to show kids sections to draw.
Panel 1: A young Japanese boy (Toshi) is setting origami figures out at a table. They are different colors. There are craft supplies. His dad is helping. Panel 2: The table is done, Toshi is looking at it and Dad is walking toward the door. Panel 3: Toshi and his dad are sitting at the table along with other children. A woman (Sister Morgan) is standing at the head of the table and speaking. Panel 4: Toshi is speaking and holding up an origami bird/boat/illustrator’s choice. The children are smiling and holding versions of the same origami in different colors. Panel 5: The children are divided into two groups at each end of the table. Each group is around a paper where they are drawing a frog together. Toshi is in a group, but he is watching and smiling. Panel 6: Toshi is standing and stacking paper to make a tower. Two children are standing next to him ready to hand him another piece of paper Panel 7: Still at the table, they are eating ice cream. There are many different kinds of candy and toppings. Panel 8: Toshi and his dad are standing at the front door seeing the kids out. A few are walking out, smiling. One is talking to Toshi and his dad. Panel 9: Toshi is speaking, Dad is smiling. Activity Spot: Draw a frog illustration on the bottom right page, include dotted lines of pieces of the frog to show kids sections to draw.
Panel 1: A young Japanese boy (Toshi) is setting origami figures out at a table. They are different colors. There are craft supplies. His dad is helping. Panel 2: The table is done, Toshi is looking at it and Dad is walking toward the door. Panel 3: Toshi and his dad are sitting at the table along with other children. A woman (Sister Morgan) is standing at the head of the table and speaking. Panel 4: Toshi is speaking and holding up an origami bird/boat/illustrator’s choice. The children are smiling and holding versions of the same origami in different colors. Panel 5: The children are divided into two groups at each end of the table. Each group is around a paper where they are drawing a frog together. Toshi is in a group, but he is watching and smiling. Panel 6: Toshi is standing and stacking paper to make a tower. Two children are standing next to him ready to hand him another piece of paper Panel 7: Still at the table, they are eating ice cream. There are many different kinds of candy and toppings. Panel 8: Toshi and his dad are standing at the front door seeing the kids out. A few are walking out, smiling. One is talking to Toshi and his dad. Panel 9: Toshi is speaking, Dad is smiling. Activity Spot: Draw a frog illustration on the bottom right page, include dotted lines of pieces of the frog to show kids sections to draw.
Panel 1: A young Japanese boy (Toshi) is setting origami figures out at a table. They are different colors. There are craft supplies. His dad is helping. Panel 2: The table is done, Toshi is looking at it and Dad is walking toward the door. Panel 3: Toshi and his dad are sitting at the table along with other children. A woman (Sister Morgan) is standing at the head of the table and speaking. Panel 4: Toshi is speaking and holding up an origami bird/boat/illustrator’s choice. The children are smiling and holding versions of the same origami in different colors. Panel 5: The children are divided into two groups at each end of the table. Each group is around a paper where they are drawing a frog together. Toshi is in a group, but he is watching and smiling. Panel 6: Toshi is standing and stacking paper to make a tower. Two children are standing next to him ready to hand him another piece of paper Panel 7: Still at the table, they are eating ice cream. There are many different kinds of candy and toppings. Panel 8: Toshi and his dad are standing at the front door seeing the kids out. A few are walking out, smiling. One is talking to Toshi and his dad. Panel 9: Toshi is speaking, Dad is smiling. Activity Spot: Draw a frog illustration on the bottom right page, include dotted lines of pieces of the frog to show kids sections to draw.

Your activity was so fun! Thank you!

Panel 1: A young Japanese boy (Toshi) is setting origami figures out at a table. They are different colors. There are craft supplies. His dad is helping. Panel 2: The table is done, Toshi is looking at it and Dad is walking toward the door. Panel 3: Toshi and his dad are sitting at the table along with other children. A woman (Sister Morgan) is standing at the head of the table and speaking. Panel 4: Toshi is speaking and holding up an origami bird/boat/illustrator’s choice. The children are smiling and holding versions of the same origami in different colors. Panel 5: The children are divided into two groups at each end of the table. Each group is around a paper where they are drawing a frog together. Toshi is in a group, but he is watching and smiling. Panel 6: Toshi is standing and stacking paper to make a tower. Two children are standing next to him ready to hand him another piece of paper Panel 7: Still at the table, they are eating ice cream. There are many different kinds of candy and toppings. Panel 8: Toshi and his dad are standing at the front door seeing the kids out. A few are walking out, smiling. One is talking to Toshi and his dad. Panel 9: Toshi is speaking to a girl in a wheelchari, Dad is smiling. Activity Spot: Draw a frog illustration on the bottom right page, include dotted lines of pieces of the frog to show kids sections to draw.

Thank you for coming!

Illustrations by Lesley Danson