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)

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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Cardboard guitar that makes sound

Let's Make a Sound-Making Guitar! [Cardboard Craft]

Cardboard guitar that makes sound

Let’s introduce a fun-to-make cardboard guitar.

Prepare one cardboard box, five rubber bands, a food tray, packing tape, glue, scissors, and a cutting mat, then let’s get started.

Draw a rough outline of a guitar on the opened cardboard and cut out each part along the lines.

Make slits along the long side of the food tray; the depth of the slits will change the sound it produces.

Thread the rubber bands through the slit area.

Attach the food tray to the hole in the guitar body part using packing tape.

Glue the neck and head together.

Then glue the neck and head onto the guitar body to complete it.

Paint it and add decorations to finish your own original guitar!

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A study on easy ice cream you can make in one minute

@nonno.chan
Summer vacation independent research, part two! Ice cream made in 1 minute using the power of chemistry. I’d be happy if you find it helpful!#Summer Vacation Independent Research translation #HomemadeIceCream
♬ 3 minutes cooking style pop / cooking / sweets(957554) – ArcTracks

Have fun with it! Here’s an idea for a simple ice cream experiment you can make in just one minute.

Not many people have actually made ice cream themselves.

How about trying a fun and easy experiment where you can also enjoy delicious ice cream? All you need is milk, sugar, ice, salt, and resealable bags.

The steps are simple and easy to follow, so kids will likely jump right in! And since this is for learning, don’t forget to keep records of what you do!

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Pop-up book

Handmade Picture Book: How to Make a Pop-up Book

Pop-up book

Let’s try making a pop-up book! Here are some ideas for pop-up picture books.

Are you familiar with pop-up books? Even if the term doesn’t ring a bell, many of you have likely encountered them when thinking back to picture books you read in childhood.

A pop-up book is a type of interactive picture book where three-dimensional illustrations or pages spring up when you turn the page.

This time, let’s make one of these unique pop-up books.

In the video, we carefully and clearly explain each step of the process!

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