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Wonderful independent research

Recommended for 6th graders! A collection of easy self-study ideas you can enjoy while learning

When you’re told to do independent study in sixth grade, it can be hard to know what to do.

First, try to find something you’re interested in.

When you learn about things you like, you can keep going and have fun with it.

Here, we’ve gathered simple independent study ideas that let you make amazing discoveries by learning a little bit every day.

Try using different methods like materials, books, and videos.

Learning with friends or family makes it even more enjoyable.

Learning can open up new worlds and lead to new discoveries.

Make the most of your current interests and try engaging in enjoyable independent study.

Recommended for 6th Graders! A Collection of Easy Self-Study Ideas You Can Enjoy (51–60)

Haiku Challenge

Elementary School Summer Vacation Special: Try Your Hand at Haiku!
Haiku Challenge

Learn from haiku masters! Here are some ideas for trying your hand at haiku.

The three great haiku poets of the Edo period include Kobayashi Issa, Matsuo Basho, and Yosa Buson.

A haijin is someone who composes haiku, and many haijin are active today as well! Why not try writing haiku while keeping in mind the key points taught by haiku masters? Everyone starts with no experience.

If you give it a try, you might discover a sense of excitement.

Go ahead and give it a shot!

Three steps to make a haiku

Hamagakuen Presents: Haiku Workshop for Elementary School Students (2) — Three Steps to Composing Haiku
Three steps to make a haiku

Learn from the Haiku Koshien executive committee! Here are three-step ideas for composing haiku.

Many people want to try writing haiku but aren’t sure what process to follow, or simply want to learn how to make them.

These three steps are ideas you can use in such situations.

In the video, a member of the Haiku Koshien executive committee explains the key points clearly and carefully.

Give it a try!

Survey of familiar invasive species

When I surveyed waterways with Kaneko, they were full of invasive species. [155th video]
Survey of familiar invasive species

There are cases where wild animals and plants we’ve been familiar with since childhood actually came from overseas long ago and took root here.

How about researching such nearby non-native species? It would also be good to look into what kind of impact they have had.

Let’s investigate delicious/tasty water

Independent Research Helper Kit: Let's Investigate Delicious/Good-Tasting Water – Gakken
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.

Recommended for 6th Graders! A Collection of Simple, Fun Self-Study Ideas (61–70)

Shiitake cultivation

A large number of shiitake mushrooms appeared in my room.
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.

Filtration experiment

Easy “Filtration Experiment” with a Plastic Bottle [10th Science Festival in Ishikari, Executive Committee—Video Production Division]
Filtration experiment

Murky water turns clear! Let’s keep a record of our filtration experiment.

Prepare a plastic bottle by cutting off the bottom and turning it upside down.

First, make a small hole in the cap and pack it with cotton.

Then add the materials in this order: charcoal, gauze, gravel, gauze, and sand—the filter is complete.

Next, add baking soda solution and alum solution to the cloudy water to separate the impurities.

Pour the clarified supernatant into the plastic-bottle filter, and clear water will come out from the bottom.

It’s fascinating that ordinary sand and charcoal you can find around you can make water so clean.

Observing ants

Results after observing ants for 3 weeks!! [Ant Legend] Ant Farm Observation Kit, Independent Research ☆ Saaaaaya
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.