Wonderful independent research

Recommended Independent Research Projects for 5th Graders [Elementary School Students]

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

Among summer vacation assignments, the most challenging one is often the independent research project.

Many elementary school students probably struggle each year with what topic to tackle.

So in this article, we’ll introduce independent research ideas especially recommended for fifth graders.

We’ve picked ideas mainly related to what fifth graders actually learn in science, social studies, and home economics.

You can choose a field that interests you from what you learned in the first term at school, or it’s also a good idea to work on something related to a topic that caught your attention while reading the textbook.

Now, let’s dive into the recommended ideas!

Recommended Independent Research Projects for 5th Graders [Elementary School] (71–80)

Marble Maze

Marble Maze! Craft Channel for Kids

Marble Maze

Let me introduce a marble maze that’s so much fun to roll around.

Get your materials ready: a plastic board, colored construction paper, colored pencils, a ruler, a cutting mat, scissors, double-sided tape, clear tape, a ballpoint pen, and marbles.

Cut the plastic board to create the base shape of the maze.

It’s best to assemble the base by attaching pieces around the edges.

For the maze course, cut the board and adjust the sizes as you build.

Create traps by cutting construction paper and attaching them along the course.

Adding tunnels will make it even more exciting.

Roll your marble and enjoy aiming for the goal!

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Let’s try making musical instruments from around the world

[Latin America & Education] Try it at Home: Let’s Make Musical Instruments from Around the World! [Rainstick]

Let's try making musical instruments from around the world

Let’s make a rainstick, a musical instrument from around the world that sounds like falling rain.

Prepare toothpicks, an empty plastic wrap tube, rubber bands, beads, fabric scraps, nail clippers, a hole punch or awl, and glue.

Start by making spiral-shaped holes along the tube.

It can be slippery, so be careful while punching the holes.

Insert toothpicks into the holes.

Use the nail clippers to trim any parts of the toothpicks that stick out, then apply glue over them to secure.

Cover one end of the tube with fabric and fasten it with a rubber band.

Pour beads in from the other end, then cover that end with fabric and fasten it with a rubber band in the same way.

Decorate the tube, and you’re done.

It’s a rainstick that produces the sound of rain or waves—give it a try!

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Transformable miniature house

For a summer vacation craft! How to make a miniature house that can be freely transformed

Transformable miniature house

Let me introduce a cute, transformable miniature house.

Using cardboard, choose the coverings for the ceiling, floor, and walls as you build each room.

The key is to keep in mind the kind of room you want to create while you work.

Try stacking rooms or changing the combinations to make a miniature house that’s uniquely yours.

By making the wall coverings with colored paper or using patterned paper for the miniature house, you can add originality and have even more fun.

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Let’s make dinosaur fossils

[Elementary School Craft] Let's Make a Fossil

Let's make dinosaur fossils

Let’s make some exciting dinosaur fossils! First, think about what kind of fossil you want to create, then draw your fossil illustration on a sheet of foam board (styrene paper).

Cut out the fossil shapes with scissors.

Glue the cut foam pieces onto cardboard to form your design.

Paint it with acrylic paints.

When it’s finished, attach a decorative ribbon to the back so you can display it.

It’s also a good idea to round off the corners of the cardboard.

Have fun creating your very own original fossil!

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Aquarium snow globe

[Kids’ Easy Craft] Everything from the 100-yen shop! Aquarium Snow Globe DIY — Perfect for Christmas or a Summer Vacation Project!

Aquarium snow globe

Let me introduce a refreshing aquarium-style snow globe.

Prepare liquid laundry starch (or glue), a sponge, a jar, miniature figures, ribbon, adhesive, glitter, and a chopstick.

Cut the sponge to the shape of the jar lid to make a base, then glue it in place.

Attach the figures onto the base using adhesive.

Put glitter into the jar, then add water and liquid laundry starch in a 1:1 ratio and mix well.

Close the jar with the lid that has the figures attached, making sure no air gets in, and you’re done.

Decorate it and create your own original snow globe!

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My own handmade instrument

[Summer Vacation Craft] Stand out from the crowd with your very own original instrument! Trombone Edition

My own handmade instrument

Let me show you how to make a trombone with a pleasing tone.

Prepare one thin PVC pipe, one thick PVC pipe, a funnel, vinyl tape, and aluminum tape, and let’s build it.

Slide the thin PVC pipe inside the thick PVC pipe to assemble it.

Insert a cut-off mouthpiece into the thin end and secure it with vinyl tape.

On the opposite end of the thin PVC pipe, wrap aluminum tape to slightly thicken the tip.

The key is to have a small gap when the PVC pipes are nested.

Attach the funnel to the end of the thick PVC pipe, and you’re done.

Blow into it and—surprise! You’ll hear the sound of a trombone.

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Three-dimensional sculpture made with wire and aluminum foil

Art project idea for upper elementary grades: 3D sculptures made with wire and aluminum foil

Three-dimensional sculpture made with wire and aluminum foil

Let’s make the most of pliers! Here are some ideas for creating three-dimensional artworks using wire and aluminum foil.

By the upper grades, you can use a variety of materials and tools properly and safely, right? This time, let’s try a 3D sculpture by arranging wire and aluminum foil with pliers.

It’s recommended to decide on a theme before you start, but it can also be fun to expand your ideas by comparing accidental shapes with the images in your mind.

If you insert the pieces into styrofoam, they’ll be easier to display!

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