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!
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Recommended for 5th Graders! A Collection of Easy, Fun Self-Study Ideas (71–80)
Make a storm glass and observe it
Have you ever heard of an instrument called a storm glass? These days, you can sometimes find it in variety shops as a home decor item.
A storm glass is a glass container filled with a special liquid that changes its appearance depending on weather conditions such as temperature and humidity, and in the 19th century it was used for weather forecasting.
If you look into it, you’ll find it can be made with items available at drugstores, so give it a try.
Observe the completed storm glass and put together a report by making a table of the day’s weather, temperature, humidity, and the appearance of the liquid inside the storm glass.
Snow globe making
During long vacations, we’re swamped with homework, independent research projects, and playtime.
It’s easy to put things off and run out of time.
That’s when this snow globe is highly recommended! The glitter and “snow” that slowly fall and sparkle inside the glass are beautiful, aren’t they? You can get most of the materials at a 100-yen shop: purified water, liquid glue, a hot glue gun, a jar, a sponge, decorations you want to put inside, and glitter.
It also doesn’t take much time, so it’s truly a strong ally for independent research projects.
cardboard sword
As an irresistibly exciting idea for a summer research project, let me introduce the Cardboard Sword.
This project involves creating a three-dimensional sword out of cardboard.
The appeal is that you can recreate swords from your favorite games or anime.
First, choose a design as your motif and make a template.
Then cut the cardboard, layer the pieces, and assemble the sword.
There are many tutorials online on how to make cardboard swords, so try working on it while using those as references.
It can also be fun to make other items using the same approach.
I’ll try drawing some trick art!
Trick art makes drawings on a flat surface look three-dimensional, as if they’re popping out, and there are even hands-on facilities where you can experience it.
Let’s try drawing that trick art ourselves.
There are, of course, a few tips to keep in mind, but once you’ve got them, try drawing a lot! By using human visual illusions and techniques like shading, you can create pictures that make people want to reach out and touch them.
It’s a bit challenging, so I think it’s a good independent research project for upper elementary school students.
Newton’s cradle
Have you ever heard of Newton’s cradle? It’s a device where about five small steel balls are suspended on strings in a row.
When you lift and release one ball at the end, only the ball on the opposite end is knocked outward.
This is related to the conservation of momentum and the conservation of mechanical energy.
Let’s write a report summarizing the results of changing conditions—for example, what happens if you lift and release two balls instead of one, or what happens if you change the size of the balls.
Another nice point is that after the experiments, the Newton’s cradle you made can be displayed as interior decor.
Bath bomb making
As a science project recommended for people who love stylish things, making bath bombs is a great choice.
You can make bath bombs with items from home improvement stores or 100-yen shops, so it’s quite easy.
However, simply making them isn’t enough for a middle school research project, so it’s recommended to test how they dissolve using various materials or explain in detail how bath bombs work.
pinhole camera
Let’s try making a pinhole camera, a classic for independent research projects.
A pinhole camera is a camera that forms an image using a tiny pinhole instead of a camera lens.
There are methods using a milk carton or a paper cup, and it’s surprisingly easy to make.
If you choose a pinhole camera for your project, after building it you should observe how the image actually appears, think about why it appears that way, and compile your findings into a report.