[For 4th Graders] Fun Independent Research Ideas You Can Do With Everyday Materials

Simple salt sand art

@watako.hoiku

Also great for summer projects 🌻 | Salt Sand Art |Simple craftIndependent Researchtranslation

♬ เสียงต้นฉบับ – น้องมิแมวว♡ – ⋅˚₊‧ ୨ 𝒎𝒎𝒊𝒊 ୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅

This is about layering different colors of salt in a glass to create a picture-like, beautiful look.

Start by making colors that match what you want to create: mix paint into the salt to prepare it.

Once your colored salt is ready, simply layer it into the glass.

It’s best to pay attention to the boundaries between colors and avoid overmixing.

After filling the glass, press the layers to compact them—you can aim for more complex shapes this way.

Try various patterns to see what you can achieve.

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kappamaki

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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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Challenge in video production

Summer vacation independent research: video production—creators give elementary schoolers hands-on lessons

It’s a great idea to incorporate video production into an independent research project, especially for today’s kids who are used to watching videos on YouTube and other platforms.

By switching roles—from watching to actually filming and creating their own videos—they can gain a deeper understanding of how videos are made.

It could be interesting to decide on a theme, such as who the video is for, what kind of video it should be, and how long it should be, and make that the focus of the project.

To keep it fun and engaging, it’s best to choose a topic they’re genuinely interested in.

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mayumi

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Musical instruments made from empty cans

[WakuWaku-san’s Craft Class] Make “can instruments” out of empty cans—build them and play them! (We’re introducing two can instruments!)

Let’s have fun making can instruments from empty cans.

Here, we introduce two instruments: an ocarina and another instrument that produces a scale alongside it.

Use an aluminum can for the ocarina and a steel can for the other instrument.

First, here’s how to make the ocarina.

Remove the pull-tab from the can, and tape a slightly thick straw to the mouth opening.

On the side of the can near the mouth opening, use a punch to make five holes spaced 2 centimeters apart.

Make one more hole at the top on the opposite side, and it’s done! For the other instrument, remove the can’s pull-tab and rub the bottom with something hard like a chopstick.

The pitch will change, so adjust it to the notes you want and line them up.

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sasashina

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3 simple coasters

[For Summer Vacation Crafts 🍉] 3 Easy Coasters ✨❣️ #easy #summerVacationCrafts #summerHomework

How about making coasters as a summer vacation craft? Here, we’ll introduce three methods.

The first is a coaster made by arranging tiles on top of paper clay.

The second is a coaster made by lining up beads and melting them in the microwave.

The third is a summery coaster that expresses a seasonal scene by placing shells, sequins, and stickers in resin.

They’re all easy to make, so give them a try.

You can buy most of the materials at 100-yen shops.

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sasashina

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Simple kaleidoscope

Peek in for a rainbow! How to make an easy kaleidoscope. Perfect for 3rd–4th grade elementary school summer break crafts! “Rainbow Kaleidoscope” (takes about 30 minutes to make) #crafts #kaleidoscope #handmadeToys

Let’s make a kaleidoscope that shows rainbow colors.

Prepare three mirrors for a kaleidoscope and glue them together into a triangular prism with the mirror sides facing inward.

Place this inside a toilet paper tube, and seal one end with black construction paper that you’ve pierced with numerous holes using a pin.

Seal the other end with black construction paper that has a diffraction (rainbow) film attached at the center.

Finally, decorate the outside of the toilet paper tube with masking tape or similar, and you’re done! It’s very easy, so please give it a try.

It’s not a kaleidoscope with changing patterns, but the rainbow colors are truly beautiful.

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sasashina

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I tried expressing sound with salt

[Sound LAB] Great for independent research! We tried representing sound with salt!

Let’s observe how salt patterns change with sound! Tape a black plastic bag over a bowl, then poke a small hole to keep the air pressure inside the bowl stable.

Wipe the surface with a damp tissue to remove static electricity, and sprinkle salt on top.

Now you’re ready—try making different sounds near the bowl, such as low and high voices.

The salt will respond to the sound and move, creating various patterns.

It will be helpful to note which sounds produced which patterns and to take photos, making it easier to compile your report.

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sasashina

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