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 simple self-study ideas that are fun to do (1–10)
Simulated investment experience
This initiative lets children simulate stock trading and investing to deepen their interest in money.
In today’s society, where building assets for the future is emphasized and NISA contributions can be started by minors, it’s important to create opportunities for kids to learn about money.
Supporting a company is called investing, and it can be helpful to learn the meanings of terms like yen depreciation and yen appreciation through games.
Options include visiting facilities or seminars where kids can experience different jobs, or studying together as a family.
It’s also recommended to learn about investing using familiar themes for children, such as the prices of snacks and juice.
plant dyeing
Kusaki-zome is a traditional technique for dyeing fabric using natural plants.
By using familiar leaves, roots, flowers, and more, you can create your own original colors, letting you enjoy learning both science and home economics at the same time.
Once you’ve prepared the fabric you want to dye and the plants to use as dye, wash the fabric thoroughly in lukewarm water.
Add protein to the fabric to perform a deep-dye (mordant) treatment, then soak the washed and dried fabric.
After carrying out a mordanting process that induces color changes through chemical reactions with metals, place the dye material in nonwoven fabric and submerge it in water.
Put the prepared fabric into the liquid, wait about 15 minutes, then rinse it well with water to finish.
Tofu making
Here’s how to make tofu, a beloved Japanese food that’s delicious both on its own and cooked.
Like a science experiment, you’ll learn why tofu solidifies while also enjoying the finished homemade tofu.
Heat soy milk in a pot to 75°C (167°F), then add nigari (magnesium chloride) and stir.
Cover and let it sit to steam for about 10 minutes, then transfer the solids into a mold lined with cloth.
Place a weight on top to remove excess moisture, then soak the block in water set in a bowl for about 20 minutes.
Your tofu is ready.
It’s also fun to make while learning that the liquid solidifies because the magnesium in the nigari binds with the proteins.
Recommended for 5th Graders! A Collection of Easy, Fun Self-Study Ideas (11–20)
Making a maglev train
Introducing how to make a linear motor car using dry batteries.
Attach two layers of magnets to a plastic sheet with double-sided tape.
The key here is to control the repelling force of the magnets and stick them on without any gaps.
Cut a melamine sponge for the vehicle body, and apply aluminum tape so it forms a U-shape.
Once you hook the magnet-mounted sheet onto the tape, connect clip wires to the rails.
Sandwich the lead wires in the aluminum tape, and connect the batteries in series to finish the setup.
It’s a great independent research project theme that lets you enjoy both a science experiment and toy-making at the same time.
Making Colorful Flowers
Make Colorful Flowers: a fun experiment to learn what happens when you place flowers in inks of different colors.
Through experiments that make use of flowers’ natural features, you can deepen your knowledge while having fun.
Fill test tubes or plastic cups with printer ink or water mixed with food coloring.
Then simply place white flowers—such as roses, gerberas, or baby’s breath—into the solutions and leave them for 1 to 24 hours.
You can also split a stem in two to create a two-tone flower.
This experiment shows that plants draw water up through vessels called xylem, which carry the pigments.
Making biomass plastic
We’ll introduce how to make biomass plastic using renewable resources such as plants.
Warm some milk in the microwave, then add lemon juice and stir until white curds appear.
Pour the mixture through a strainer lined with parchment paper to separate the liquid from the solids.
Once the liquid has drained and only the solids remain, transfer them to a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
Cut out shapes with a cookie cutter and let them dry to complete your biomass plastic.
Making eco-friendly plastic can also serve as a great opportunity for children to learn about environmental issues.
Let’s make a Japan map puzzle
It’s a puzzle where pieces cut into the shapes of Japan’s prefectures are arranged correctly to complete a map of Japan.
You can have fun while learning what each prefecture looks like and where it’s located in Japan.
It’s easy to make: prepare a colorful map of Japan with prefectural borders drawn, and attach magnet sheets to the cut-out prefectures to finish.
It’s also recommended to include the prefecture names and local specialties on the pieces so you can learn the shapes and locations together with key information.
