Recommended for 5th graders! A collection of easy self-study ideas you can enjoy while learning
When fifth graders are told to do independent study, it can be hard to know what to do, right?
First, try to find something you’re interested in.
When you learn about something you like, you can keep it up and have fun.
Here, we’ve collected simple ideas for independent study that can lead to surprising discoveries by learning a little every day.
Try using different methods like materials and books, or videos.
Learning together with friends or family can make it even more enjoyable.
Learning can open up new worlds and lead to new discoveries.
Make the most of what you’ve been interested in so far, and try some fun independent study!
- Recommended for 6th graders! A collection of easy self-study ideas you can enjoy while learning
- Recommended for 3rd graders! A collection of easy self-study ideas you can try
- Recommended for 4th graders! A collection of easy self-study ideas to try
- Self-study that impresses your teacher! Recommended science self-study ideas for 5th graders
- [5th Grade Elementary School] Independent Research Themes & Crafts | A Collection of Ideas That Lead to Learning
- Recommended Independent Research Projects for 5th Graders [Elementary School Students]
- Recommended for elementary schoolers! A fun collection of craft ideas for 5th graders
- Self-directed study that impresses your teacher! Recommended independent science study ideas for 6th graders
- For 6th Graders: Unique and Fun Ideas for Independent Research Projects
- Independent study that impresses your teacher! Science self-study ideas recommended for third graders
- [For 4th Graders] Fun Independent Research Ideas You Can Do With Everyday Materials
- [For 2nd Graders] Make it with everyday materials! Irresistibly engaging ideas for independent research projects
- Self-study that teachers will praise! Recommended independent science study ideas for 4th graders
Recommended for 5th Graders! A Collection of Easy Self-Study Ideas You Can Enjoy (61–70)
Let’s enjoy haiku
Working together with the Chiba Prefectural Board of Education! Here are some ideas to help you get familiar with haiku.
In elementary school, students usually learn haiku around the third grade, right? Many people may have learned about it in class but want to know more, or even try composing their own.
In the video, they feature haiku by poets like Yosa Buson and clearly explain the structure and rules of haiku.
It also teaches about seasonal words (kigo) with examples, so it’s highly recommended.
Be sure to give it a try!
Let’s look into old textbooks.
The textbook we use in our regular classes has undergone multiple revisions to reach its current form.
Let’s research the pre-revision version of the textbook, or even older editions, and explore the differences.
A smooth way to start is by checking whether older textbooks are available at libraries or local history archives.
Let’s make paper from various ingredients
Paper is something we’re always surrounded by—whether it’s notebooks or toilet paper, there are many types of paper closely tied to our daily lives.
This is a free research project that shines a spotlight on paper: let’s try making paper from food and other materials! First, use a blender or similar tool to grind the food into a fine paste.
If it’s hard to blend, try adding a little water.
Use a tofu container and a mesh net like those for sink strainers to press out the moisture, then let it dry for at least a day in a memo-pad size sheet.
Put together your results with photos: which foods turned into something paper-like, and which ones didn’t?
Let’s investigate delicious/tasty water
In Japan, delicious natural spring water can be found all over the country.
There are kits available from various sources that let you test the taste and pH of such water.
How about a science project where you use these kits to check and compare the taste and pH of Japan’s natural spring water and bottled water? It might also be interesting to investigate the relationship between similar-tasting waters and the terrain where they spring up.
Shiitake cultivation
If you’re looking for a science project theme where you can enjoy delicious food, growing shiitake mushrooms is a great choice.
In this experiment, you’ll use a shiitake mushroom growing kit to actually cultivate the mushrooms.
Depending on the temperature, it takes about a week for the mushrooms to grow, so be sure to prepare with enough time.
It’s easy for anyone to do, so it’s recommended even for lower elementary school students.
Observing ants
How about observing ants using a kit that lets you watch them build their nest? People have observed ants for ages, but kits make it easier to see and study them.
You prepare a special gel and pour it into the case.
Then put in the ants you’ve caught and observe them every day.
As long as an adult helps with making the gel, the rest is just observation.
It’s a free research project that first graders in elementary school can do.
Making alpha rice
Alpha rice is made by soaking freshly cooked rice in water, removing the moisture, and processing it so it can be eaten by adding water or hot water.
Here’s how to make this rice commonly used as preserved or emergency food.
After placing the cooked rice in a strainer and mixing it, spread it on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and heat it in the oven.
Stir the rice to dry it evenly, heating it about five times.
Once you take it out of the oven, tap the rice to break it apart, and your alpha rice is ready.
To rehydrate, simply add hot water equal to 1.5 go of water to the alpha rice and let it sit for about 15 minutes before eating.
It’s also great to take along for activities like camping or mountain climbing.
