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

Sparkling Kaleidoscope

Sparkling Kaleidoscope: Perfect for summer vacation crafts and independent research!

If you’re unsure what to make for your summer vacation craft project, why not try a sparkling kaleidoscope? You can make this kaleidoscope with recycled materials and items from the 100-yen shop.

Cut a hard plastic case and form it into a triangular prism, then place beads in the bottom and secure them.

On the opposite end, attach a piece of black construction paper with a peephole.

Glue a milk carton—lined on the inside with black construction paper—around the triangular prism, and decorate it as you like to finish.

While kaleidoscopes typically use mirrors, in this idea the hard plastic case serves that role.

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sasashina

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lampshade

I tried making a lampshade! Perfect for a summer vacation project—my child and I had fun making it together 😊

Here’s a lampshade idea that also works as room decor.

Brush glue mixed with water onto an inflated balloon, then stick on small torn pieces of washi paper.

For sturdiness, layer the washi several times until the balloon’s color isn’t very visible.

Be sure to leave an opening where the light will go.

Since washi is white, use tissue paper if you want to add color.

Once it’s completely dry, pop the balloon and remove it, then secure a wire along the inside edge of the opening for the light to finish it off.

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sasashina

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Experimenting with resin?!

[Complete in one day] Summer research project: Experimenting with resin!? #resin #summerproject #howtosummarize

If you want to try your hand at making things with resin, why not purchase a resin craft kit? It comes with all the basic materials and tools, so you can start creating right away.

Deciding what shape to make and which parts to decorate with—and bringing your ideas to life—is a lot of fun.

While resin is often used for crafts, you can also do experiments, such as comparing how quickly different resin liquids cure! If it’s your first time, please work together with a parent or guardian.

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sasashina

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Specimen preparation

[Independent Research] Making Our First Specimen! A Parent-Child Challenge for Lower-Grade Elementary School Students—Make a Specimen

A great science project for kids who love insects is making specimen displays! Creating specimens can seem a bit challenging, but it’s sure to become a special summer vacation memory.

Some steps are tough for children to do alone, so it’s perfect for a parent–child challenge.

The key is to first collect insects in good condition.

Next, to shape them properly, soak the insects in hot water to soften them.

After soaking for about 30 minutes, arrange the shape, pin them to a base with dressmaker’s pins, and let them dry—that’s it! They’ll make a fine specimen as is, but if you encase them in resin, it will look even more professional.

Choose the method that suits your child’s age and give it a try!

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miyabi

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Bubble experiment with carbonated water

[Independent Research] A Second Grader’s Summer Vacation: Making Fizzy Bubbles in Sparkling Water in Various Ways

A free study project where students can have fun experimenting and then compile and submit their results seems like something kids would get excited about.

In this experiment, you place various items into carbonated drinks or sparkling water to see which one makes the most fizz and which substances produce lots of bubbles.

Try using familiar items like laundry soap, ramune candy, baking soda, sesquicarbonate, salt, and sugar.

You can also test differences in the carbonation itself—how about a sweet soda? Does strong carbonation make a difference? Try comparing those as well.

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utatane

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a picture from the story

[Elementary School Art: Story Illustrations] Introducing recommended picture books and ways to support children who struggle to draw from imagination — Fukiko Grandma’s Art and Craft Teaching Tips

When drawing, choosing a theme is important, and some people may struggle with that and find it hard to get started.

For those who aren’t good at deciding on a theme, a recommended approach is to use a story as a reference and create your artwork from it.

Freely choose a narrative, find a scene you like, and express it in your own way through your art.

Because cover illustrations and interior artwork can influence you, it takes skill to see how far you can distance yourself from them and how much originality you can bring.

Try to visualize the setting of the story and make a habit of expanding your imagination from there.

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kappamaki

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A piggy bank with a wagging tail

How to Make a Tail-Wagging Piggy Bank [Paper Clay, Swan, Creative Piggy Bank]

When it comes to classic summer independent projects, a “piggy bank” is a staple.

The “Yucho Idea Piggy Bank Contest” held by Japan Post Bank is also well-known.

You might think, “Have all the ideas been used up by now?” but every year a lot of creative piggy banks appear.

So, here’s one to introduce: the “wagging-tail piggy bank.” The simple mechanism is that the weight of the coin you drop in makes the tail sway gently.

If you expand on this mechanism, you could adapt the idea to things like a fishing game or a dinosaur’s neck.

We recommend using air-dry paper clay, which you can paint once it dries!