Wonderful independent research

[For 2nd Graders] Make it with everyday materials! Irresistibly engaging ideas for independent research projects

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked for 10 years as a kindergarten teacher and for 7 years as an after-school childcare instructor, then took a post as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I also engaged in activities that shared Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational play, working with many children. Afterwards, through freelance writing, planning, and editing work at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and conveying ideas. Leveraging the perspective cultivated in educational settings and my experience as an editor, I aim to deliver practical information—focusing on fields related to music and children—that values both input and output. Hobbies include instruments, singing, handcrafts, toys, drawing, traditional play, the outdoors, books, DIY, and crafts. Special skill: spinning-top tricks.
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

For summer vacation independent study projects, especially for second graders, it’s common to wonder, “What should I do?” Here, we introduce craft and experiment ideas you can enjoy with excitement using familiar materials.

From mysterious color-changing experiments to a diorama packed with ocean memories and a sparkling hourglass, there are plenty of activities that both boys and girls will enjoy.

Be sure to find a wonderful independent study project to go along with your summer vacation memories!

[For 2nd Graders] Make it with everyday materials! Irresistible independent research ideas (1–10)

Let’s make canned space

How to Make a Galaxy Jar [Parent-Child Craft]: How to Make a “Bottled Universe.”

Let's make canned space

Shall we try making a beautiful, dreamy “bottled cosmos,” a lovely interior decor item that’s popular overseas? You’ll need an empty jar, craft cotton, water-based paint, a brush, and your choice of glitter, star-shaped beads, or sequins to create a space-like vibe.

You can make it with items you already have at home or from a 100-yen shop.

First, pack the cotton firmly into the empty jar.

Since it’s fluffy, it may look full right away, but gradually add a little water and press it down tightly.

Spread 2–3 colors of paint bit by bit around the cotton, add glitter, and you’re done.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Chiikawa mini storage

http://www.lemon8-app.com

Get soothed by cute characters! Here are some ideas for Chiikawa mini storage.

“Chiikawa” is short for “something small and cute,” and many fans find comfort in the everyday lives of the characters featured in the anime and manga.

This time, let’s make mini storage items with a Chiikawa motif.

You’ll need cardboard, character pocket tissues, double-sided tape, a craft knife, shatterproof glass film, and some tape.

They’re practical and will make organizing feel exciting!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Long Boots Piggy Bank

Boot-shaped Piggy Bank! [Crafts | Easy How-To | Recycled]

Long Boots Piggy Bank

Let’s make use of those memory-filled items! Here’s an idea for a rain boot piggy bank.

Many of us feel that children grow up so fast.

Clothes and shoes need to be replaced each time… throwing them away as they are is such a waste! This time, let’s repurpose outgrown rain boots and turn them into a piggy bank.

What you’ll need: outgrown rain boots, interlocking foam mats, scissors or a utility knife, adhesive, and so on.

It’s nice to be able to keep using your favorite rain boots as a piggy bank, isn’t it?

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

For 2nd Graders: Hands-On, Everyday-Materials Projects! Irresistible Free Research Ideas (11–20)

Let’s make a cloud in a plastic bottle

Let's make a cloud in a plastic bottle ♪ [Fun experiment]

Let's make a cloud in a plastic bottle

How about trying a fun experiment like “Let’s make a cloud in a plastic bottle”? An empty 500 ml plastic bottle—like the kind that once held sparkling water—is recommended.

Put a small amount of water in it, add four or five pumps of rubbing alcohol, and loosely cap it.

If you repeatedly squeeze the bottle firmly, a bit of air mixes in and something like a cloud will form.

This happens because the water vapor reacts with the evaporated alcohol.

It would be great to put together a short report explaining the mechanism of how clouds form, too!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Let’s make fizzy ramune

Can be done in a day! Summer project: Easy fizzy ramune candy with just 4 ingredients [Summer Vacation]

Let's make fizzy ramune

Ramune, that fizzy and refreshing candy you can’t help but snack on when it’s around.

Did you know you can make it yourself? If you do know, how about making lots of colorful ramune using familiar ingredients? All you need is powdered sugar, baking soda, citric acid, and shaved ice syrup for coloring.

Be sure to use food-grade baking soda and citric acid.

Mix all the ingredients thoroughly until the mixture comes together.

Use two small spoons to press and shape the mixture tightly, then let it dry for about half a day.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Let’s make a gel candle

[DIY] Jelly Candle Making with 100-Yen Shop Items! Summer Vacation Independent Research Snow Globe ☆ Saaaaaya

Let's make a gel candle

How about making a summery, translucent gel candle? The best part is that all the materials can be bought at a 100-yen shop, so you can start right away whenever inspiration strikes.

What you’ll need: a heat-resistant glass container for the candle base, colored sand, a candle wick, glass beads, glass decorations, and candle gel.

Warm the candle gel in a bowl of hot water to melt it.

Use chopsticks to position the wick in the center of the glass container, then pour in layers: colored sand, candle gel, glass trinkets, and more candle gel.

With a bit of creativity, you can make all kinds of candles.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Let’s think about ways to remember kanji.

This way of memorizing kanji is scary!! [Second grade of elementary school]

Let's think about ways to remember kanji.

For children who find it hard to remember kanji stroke order or more complex characters, here’s a fun, recommended idea: a free research project where they think about enjoyable ways to memorize kanji.

Focus on the second-grade kanji learned up to summer break, try breaking the kanji down into katakana, and create stories based on those combinations.

For example, the kanji 多 contains two katakana タ, so you can come up with a story that starts with “ta.” You can even put it all together like a picture diary, with illustrations and text.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem