This Instructable is about creating an origami swan, not to be confused for the crane, the swan is a classic origami model that can be done by children from first grade and up. Practicing origami helps children develop their fine motor skills as they fold the paper and cognitive develop skills such as spatial awareness. Above all else, children (and adults) get to create a swan of their own and delve into the world of art, origami, and craftmanship.

Learning Objectives:

Students should be able to:
Use their fine motor skills to fold the paper
Develop their spatial awareness and cognitive development as they work with folding paper into a 3D object
Develop an appreciation for craftsmanship/visual arts from other countries around the world
Create a folded swan model

Resources:

Youtube video: Origami Swan - Paper Swan Instructions
Origami Resource Center: Easy Origami Swan

Supplies

Origami paper (5 in x 5 in)
For children, you don't want to go too small nor too large, 5 in x 5 in is great
If you don't have origami paper on hand, you can create your own square sheet out of whatever is available (printer paper is a great option)
Link to tutorial: How to turn an A4 sheet of paper into a perfect Square // Origami 折り紙
Patience!

Step 1:

Start with your square colored side up
Valley fold your paper in half diagonally

Step 2:

Flip the paper to the white side and tilt it diagonally so it looks like a diamond

Step 3:

Bring the top right edge of the paper to the center fold line and crease.
Repeat the same step for the top left fold line

Step 4:

Flip the paper to the other side
Repeat the same steps, as before
Bring the right edge to the center crease of the paper
Then bring the left edge to the center crease of the paper

Step 5:

To start creating the neck, grab the top point of the paper and bring it to the bottom point and crease

Step 6:

Next, to make the head, take the point and bring it up as far as you like.
Remember, the larger the head, the smaller the neck and vice versa.

Step 7:

It should look something like this

(The paper does not have to be completely pressed flat down, this is one of the quirks of paper)

Step 8:

Rotate the model 180 degrees (upside down)
The next step is to do a mountain fold for the whole structure
Use the crease that was made in Step 1 for this part

Step 9:

Grab the body in one hand and the neck in the other
Pull the neck away from the body gently
Once you have it in a position that you like, crease(press down) the newly made fold
This can be adjusted later on if wanted