1.

The Wonderful World of Science

Curiosityand Science
Human beings are naturallycurious and start exploringtheir surroundings from
childhood.
Scienceis a way of thinking andexploring to understand the worldand the universe.
The key to learning science is curiosity—asking questions and findingout how things
work.
What is Science?
Scienceis like solvinga giant puzzle; each newdiscoveryadds a piece.
Sometimes new discoveries change what we know, as science is constantly evolving.
Scienceis everywhere, from tiny grains of sandto the vastness of space.
Discoveries Around Us
Whether looking at stars, flowers, or natural phenomena, science helps explain these
mysteries.
There are manyexcitingquestions, like whystars shineor how aflower knows when
to bloom.
What Will We Explorein This Book?
We will study topics likeEarth, life forms, food, water, materials, andtemperature.
We will explore questions likewhy it rains, howwater turns into ice, and what different
objects are made of.
The Scientific Method
The steps of the scientific method are:
Observation: Notice something interesting.
Question: Ask a question about it.
Hypothesis: Guess ananswer.
Experiment/Observation: Test theguess.
Conclusion: Analyzeif the guess was correct.
Anyonefollowingthis method, like scientists, cooks, or repairers, cansolveproblems
scientifically.
Sciencein Daily Life
Scienceis not just for experts—everyoneuses scientific thinking in daily life.
Learning science enhances our problem-solving abilities and helps us explore the
worldbetter.
Collaborationin Science
Scientists work in teams, and it’ s always fun to discover things together.
The journey ofsciencewill continue beyond Grade 6, andthere’ s always more to
learn.
Examples of Scientific Thinking
Daily life examples:
If a pen stops working, we ask, “Why did it stop?” and test if the ink is finished.
A cook may ask whyfood is burning, and check if the heat is too high.
A bicycle repairperson might find out where air is leaking from aflat tire.
These areexamples of applyingscientific methods in everydaylife.
Scienceand Exploration
Sciencehelps us ask questions not onlyabout Earthbut also about outer space.
Topics like theSun, the Moon, andstars are explored through science.
Children arenaturally curious, just likescientists, and they explore the world by asking
questions.
HowWe LearnThroughScience
The process of learning science is continuous, starting withbasic observations and
growingto more complex understandings.
Sciencehelps us connect different ideas, like how food, water, andmaterials work
together to support life.
Discoveries in science often come from unexpected places—like the kitchenor
playground.
Real-Life Applications of Science
Scienceis not just about experiments in the lab; it is about understanding andsolving
real-worldproblems.
For example, scientists usescienceto invent newtechnologies, make medicines, and
understandenvironmental changes.
The Joy of Science
The chapter emphasizes that scienceis a joyful journey of discovery.
Students are encouraged to enjoy their scientific journey, never stop asking
questions, and always stay curious about the world.
Just like children enjoythe rain, science shouldbe fun andexcitingfor everyone.
Scientific Attitude
Developing a scientific attitudeis about beingopen to newideas, asking questions,
and always being readyto learn.
Scienceis not about memorizing facts; it’ s about understanding theworld through
continuous exploration andcuriosity.
The Importance of Being Curious
Curiosityis thefoundation of all scientific learning.
The more curious youare, the more questions youwill ask, and the more you will
learn.

2. Diversity in the Living World

Introduction to Diversity inNature
Nature is full of diverselivingorganisms, includingplants and animals.
The chapter introduces a nature walk withDr. Raghuand Maniram Chacha to observe
the variety of plants andanimals in the environment.
Diversity inPlants and Animals
Plants varyin features such as stem height, leaf arrangement, and flower color.
Animals differ in habitat, food, andmovement. Some live onland, while others livein
water or canmove between both.
Observingand Recording Diversity
The chapter encourages students to observe and recorddifferent plants and animals
they encounter, noting features like stem types, leaf shapes, and flower colors.
Students are guidedto create tables (e.g., Table2.1 and 2.2) to recordtheir
observations of plant and animal diversity.
Grouping of Plants
Plants can be groupedinto herbs, shrubs, andtrees based ontheir height andstem
structure:
Herbs: Small plants withsoft stems (e.g., tomato).
Shrubs: Medium-sizedplants with woody stems (e.g., rose).
Trees: Large plants withthick, woody stems (e.g., mango).
Plants can also be groupedbasedon leaf venation:
Reticulatevenation (e.g., hibiscus): A net-likepatternof veins.
Parallel venation (e.g., grass): Veins run parallel to eachother.
Grouping of Animals
Animals can be grouped based on:
The food they eat.
Their habitat (land, water, or both).
Howthey move(walking, flying, crawling).
For example, fishswim using fins, while birds fly using wings.
Adaptations
Adaptations are special features that helpplants and animals survive inspecific
environments.
Examples:
Cactus: Thick, fleshystems to storewater in deserts.
Camels: Widehooves to walk on sand, humps to store food.
Deodartrees: Conical shapeto shedsnoweasily in mountainous regions.
Habitats
A habitat is the environment where a plant or animal lives, providing food, water,
shelter, and other survival needs.
Habitats can beterrestrial (land) or aquatic (water), and each habitat supports
specific plants and animals.
Importance of Biodiversity
Biodiversity refers to the variety of plants andanimals ina region.
Damage to habitats leads to the loss of biodiversity, affectingspecies that dependon
thesehabitats for survival.
ConservationEfforts
The chapter mentions initiatives like Project Tiger andthe Cheetah Reintroduction
Project in Indiato protect endangered species and their habitats.
Sacred groves are traditional community-protected forests that help preserve
biodiversity.
Key Terms
Herbs, Shrubs, Trees: Plant types based onheight and stem.
Reticulateand Parallel Venation: Patterns ofveins on leaves.
Taproot and Fibrous Root: Types of plant root systems.
Dicot and Monocot Plants: Based on the number of seedcotyledons.
Terrestrial andAquatic Habitats: Land andwater habitats.
Adaptation: Special features enabling survival inspecific environments.
Biodiversity: Variety of lifein a specific region.
Habitat: Theplace wherea plant oranimal lives.
Mindful Eating: APath to a Healthy Body

3. Mindful Eating: A Path to a Healthy Body

What DoWe Eat?
Food isessential for dailylife. Peopleconsume a variety of fooditems basedon
availability, region, andculture.
Activity: Record thefood you eat in a week and compareit withfriends to observe
differences.
Food in Different Regions
Food diversityexists in every part of India due to differences inthecrops grown, soil,
climate, andtraditions.
Examples:
Punjab: Wheat andmaize are the main crops, and traditional dishes includeMakki di
roti, Sarson dasaag.
Karnataka: Rice and ragi are common crops, and dishes likeidli, dosa, and sambhar
are widely consumed.
Activity 3.2: Explore the different foods and crops of various states by interacting
withfriends, family, or reading books
How Have Cooking Practices Changed Over Time?
Culinary practices have evolved. Earlier, peoplecooked using traditional methods like
the chulha (wood stove), nowmodern gas stoves andgrinders arecommon.
Factors like technology and transportation have influenced thesechanges.

Componentsof Food
Carbohydrates: Provide energyfor our dailyactivities. Found in cereals likerice,
wheat, potatoes, and sweet potatoes.
Fats: Store energy andhelp keepthe body warm. Common sources include ghee,
butter, nuts, and seeds.
Proteins: Help build andrepair the body. Found in pulses, milk, eggs, meat, and fish.
These areknown as body-building foods.
Vitaminsand minerals: Essential for overall health, preventingdiseases likescurvy
and goitre. Found in fruits, vegetables, milk, and meat.
Roughage: Also called dietary fibre, helps in digestion. Found in fruits, vegetables, and
whole grains.
Deficiency Diseases
Deficiency diseasesarecausedby a lack of nutrients:
Scurvy (VitaminC deficiency): Causes bleeding gums and slow healing of wounds.
Goitre (Iodinedeficiency): Causes swelling inthe neck.
Rickets(Vitamin Ddeficiency): Leads to soft and weak bones.
Activity 3.4: Conduct a surveyto check if people aroundyou showsymptoms of
deficiencydiseases and findways to improvetheir diet.
Balanced Diet
Abalanced dietincludes all the essential nutrients inthe right amounts for proper
growth andhealth.
It should consist ofcarbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, roughage, and
water.
Activity 3.8: Reviewyour weeklyfoodlist to check if it contains all thenecessary
nutrients fora balanceddiet. Identify the nutrients that maybe missing.
Tests for Nutrients
Test for Starch: Addiodinesolution to food items. A blue-black colour indicates the
presence of starch.
Test for Fats: Wrap thefood item in paper andpress it. If an oily patch forms, it
contains fats.
Test for Proteins: Addcopper sulphate and caustic soda to afood item. Ifthe
solution turns violet, thefood contains proteins.
Junk Food vs Healthy Food
Junk food (highin fat and sugar) can lead to obesity and health issues. Examples:
potato chips, candy bars.
Healthy options include fruits, vegetables, andwhole grains.
Millets
Millets(like jowar, bajra, and ragi) are nutritious grains richin vitamins, minerals, and
dietary fibre. Theyareeasyto grow andgood for health.

Food Miles
Food miles refer to the distance foodtravels from thefarm to the consumer. The
shorter thefood miles, thefresher and healthier the food, and it also reduces pollution
caused by transportation.
Activity 3.9: Compare nutritional information of two food items (likepotato wafers
and roasted chana) to understand the benefits of healthier options.
Water and Dietary Fibres
Water is essential forthebody to absorb nutrients and removewaste. We should
drink sufficient water daily.
Dietary fibres help in digestionby making the passageof food through the intestines
smoother.
Fortified Foods
Some food items are fortified with extranutrients to improve their quality. For
example, iodised salt and babyfoods arefortifiedto provide essential vitamins and
minerals.
FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) ensures that packagedfoods in
India meet quality and safety standards.
Avoid Food Wastage
Manypeople waste foodby leavingit on their plates. To reduce waste, take only as
muchas you can eat, rememberingtheeffort farmers and others put into bring food
from farm to plate.
Key Concepts to Remember:
Balanced diet: Includes all nutrients in the right quantities.
Carbohydrates and fats: Provide energy.
Proteins: Help in body growth and repair.
Vitaminsand minerals: Protect from diseases.
Millets: Nutritious and easy to grow, a healthyfood choice.
Avoid junk food: It lacks essential nutrients and causes health problems.
Water and dietary fibres: Important for digestionand overall health.
Food miles: Aim to reduce them byeating locally grownfood.

4 Exploring Magnets Curiosity

Magnets inAncient Times:
Sailors used lodestones, a naturallyoccurring magnet, for navigation.
Modernmagnets are madefrom materials like iron, and artificial magnets areusedin
everyday objects (toys, pencil boxes, etc.).
Magnetic and Non-magnetic Materials:
Magnetic materials: Materials that areattractedto magnets, e.g., iron, nickel, cobalt.
Non-magnetic materials: Materials not attracted to magnets, e.g., wood, plastic.
Poles of a Magnet:
Magnets have two poles: North and South.
Maximum magnetic force is concentrated at the poles.
Breakinga magnet results in smallermagnets, each witha North andSouth pole.
Finding Directions withMagnets:
A freelysuspended magnet always points in thenorth-south direction.
Magnetic compasses use this property to helpfind directions.
Attraction andRepulsion:
Like poles (North-North or South-South) repel each other.
Unlike poles (North-South) attract each other.
Magnetic Effect through Materials:
Magnetic forces canpass through non-magnetic materials like wood, plastic, orglass.
Fun with Magnets:
Magnets can be usedin various fun activities, like moving steel balls through mazes or
picking up objects from water without gettingwet.
Safety withMagnets:
Magnets should bestored carefullyin pairs withtheir opposite poles facing each
other, separated by soft materials.

5 Measurement of Length andMotion

How do we Measure?
In ancient times, peoplemeasuredlengths usingbody parts (e.g., handspan, foot).

However, body-based measurements are not consistent, as body sizes vary.

Standard Units of Measurement
To avoidconfusion, standard units wereintroduced globally (SI units).
SI unit of length: metre (m).
1 metre = 100 centimetres (cm).
1 cm = 10 millimetres (mm).
For largerdistances: 1 kilometre(km) = 1000 metres.
Correct Way of Measuring Length
Use the appropriatescalefortheobject (e.g., a 15 cm scale for small objects,
measuring tapeforlarger ones).
Key points:
Place the scale correctlyalong the object.
Your eye must be positioneddirectly abovethe scale.
If the scale is broken, start from another mark and subtract thereadings.
Measuring Curved Lines
Curved lines can be measured using a thread. Measurethe thread’ s length witha
ruler.
Describing Position
A reference point is neededto describethe position of anobject.
Example: Kilometre stones show thedistancefrom a city.
Motion
An object is in motion if its position changes withtime relativeto a reference point.
Otherwise, it is at rest.
Example: Acar movingon a roadis in motion.

Typesof Motion
Linear Motion: Movement along astraight path (e.g., car moving ona straight road).
Circular Motion: Movement along a circular path (e.g., a merry-go-round).

Oscillatory Motion: Movement to andfro around a fixed point (e.g., aswing).

Key Formulas
1 km = 1000 m
1 m = 100 cm
1 cm = 10 mm
Practical Activities
Measure everyday objects (e.g., pencil, notebook) usingappropriate scales.
Identify linear, circular, and oscillatory motions in your surroundings (e.g., swing, clock
hands).

6 Materials Around Us
Observing ObjectsAround Us
Introduction: Ghulan and Sheetaobserve thevarious materials they interact with
daily, including notebooks, pens, andother objects in theirclassroom.
What are Materials?: Every object around us is madeup of materials such as paper,
wood, glass, metal, plastic, and clay. A material is any substanceusedto create an
object.
How to Group Materials?
Grouping Based on Properties: Objects canbe groupedbased on common
properties like shape, color, hardness, softness, shine, dullness, or the materials they
are made from. This process of arrangingobjects into groups is calledclassification.
Different Properties of Materials
Materials canbe classifiedbasedon their properties:
1. Appearance:
Lustrous Materials: Materials witha shiny surface(e.g., metals like iron, copper, and
aluminum).
Non-lustrous Materials: Materials without a shiny surface (e.g., wood, rubber, and
paper).
2. Hardness:
Hard Materials: Difficult to compress or scratch (e.g., iron, stone).
Soft Materials: Easily compressible (e.g., rubber, erasers).
3. Transparency:
Transparent Materials: Objects that allow light to pass through clearly (e.g., glass,
water).
Translucent Materials: Objects that allowsome light to pass through but arenot
clear (e.g., frostedglass).
Opaque Materials: Objects that do not allowlight to pass through (e.g., wood,
metals).
4. Solubility:
Soluble Materials: Substances that dissolve in water (e.g., sugar, salt).
Insoluble Materials: Substances that do not dissolvein water (e.g., sand, chalk).
Heaviness and Lightness
Objects that are heavier have more mass, and objects that are lighter have
less mass.
The mass of an object can be measured using abalance.
Spaceand Volume
Volume refers to the space occupied by anobject.
The volume of liquids is measuredin litres (L) or millilitres (mL).
Example: Bottles of water may have labels suchas 500 mL indicatingthe volumeof
liquid inside.
Matter
Matter is anything that occupies space andhas mass.
Mass is measured ingrams (g) or kilograms(kg).
Volume is measuredin litres (L) or millilitres(mL).
Uses of Different Materials
Objects can be made from different materials basedon their use. For example:
Tumbler: Made from glass or metal because these materials can hold water.
Pen: Made from acombinationof plastic, metal, and ink.
 7 Temperature and its Measurement
Introduction:
Temperature helps us understandhow hot orcold an object or environment is.
In this chapter, welearn about how temperature is measured, thetypes of
thermometers used, and how they function.
Hot or Cold?
Inference: Our sense oftouch is not always reliable for determining temperature, so a
thermometer is used for accurate measurement.
Temperature
Definition: Temperatureis a reliable measure of howhot or coldsomething is.
Key Concept: Ahotter body has a higher temperature than a colder one.
Measuring Device: A thermometer is adevice used to measure temperature.
Clinical Thermometer
Clinical Thermometers: Used to measure human bodytemperature.
Digital Clinical Thermometers: These thermometers displaytemperaturereadings
digitally and arebattery-operated.
Safety: Digital thermometers are safer compared to mercury thermometers (which
are being phased out due to thetoxicityof mercury).
Procedure for Using a Clinical Thermometer:
Washthe thermometer’ s tip with soapand water.
Reset the thermometer.
Place it under the tongue andcloseyour mouth.
Wait for abeep or light flashand then check thetemperature.
Record thetemperature and clean the thermometer again after use.
Normal Body Temperature: 37.0° C (98.6° F) is consideredtheaverage
temperature of ahealthy humanbody. However, temperatures mayvaryslightly
amongindividuals due to factors like age, time of day, or activitylevels.
Scales of Temperature:
Celsius Scale: Denotedas ° C, commonlyusedin scientific measurements.
Fahrenheit Scale: Denoted as ° F, not commonly used in scientific work but still seen
in someregions.
Kelvin Scale: Denoted as K, used inscientific studies, with no degreesymbol (° )
used.

Laboratory Thermometer

Laboratory Thermometers: Used for a broaderrange of temperature measurements,

typically from -10° C to 110° C.
Structure: It consists of a long glass tubewith abulb filled witha liquid (usually alcohol
or mercury) at thebottom.
How it Works: The liquid in thethermometer rises when heated andfalls when cooled.
The temperature readingis taken where the topof the liquid column aligns withthe
markedCelsius scale.
Measuring Temperature with a Laboratory Thermometer:
Immerse the thermometer in warm water without letting the bulb touch the
container’ s sides orbottom.
Holdthe thermometer vertically and readthe temperature while the thermometer is
still inthe water.
Once removedfrom water, theliquidlevel begins to fall, so the reading should be
taken while the thermometer is still immersed.
Air Temperature
Air Temperature Measurement: Oftenmeasuredusing room thermometers or
specific weather measurement instruments.
Weather Reports: Dailymaximum and minimum air temperatures are commonly
sharedthrough weather reports.
Important Temperature Ranges:
Normal Body Temperature: Around 37.0° C (98.6° F).
Laboratory Thermometer Range: From -10° C to 110° C.
Human Body Temperature Range: Between 35° C and 42° C.
Absolute Zero: The theoretical lowest temperaturepossible, closeto -273.15° C (0
Kelvin).
Key Points toRemember:
Temperature is a measure of howhot or cold something is.
Thermometers are usedto measure temperature accurately, as our sense of touch
can beunreliable.
Clinical Thermometers are used for humanbody temperatures, while Laboratory
Thermometers measurea broader range of temperatures.
Celsius, Fahrenheit, and Kelvin arethe three mainscales of temperature, with Celsius
and Kelvin being the most used in science.

8 A Journey through Statesof Water

Introduction:
Water exists in different states: solid(ice), liquid (water), and gas (water vapour).
The chapter explores how water changes between thesestates and the conditions
that affect these changes.
Investigating Water’ s Disappearing Act
Activity: When youleave a puddle of water, it seems to disappear over time. This is
due to evaporation, where water changes from its liquid stateto water vapour.
Evaporation: The process by which water turns into vapour evenat room
temperature.
Examples of evaporation:
Water drying from utensils after washing.
Wet clothes dryingunder the sun.
Water on the ground drying after rain.
The Mystery of Condensation
Condensation: The process by whichwater vapour turns back into liquid when it
comes incontact with acold surface.
Example: Water droplets form onthe outside of a cold glass filled withice.
Activity: When youtakea glass of cold water, ice inthe glass cools theouter surface,
causing water vapour in the air to condense into liquid droplets.
Different States of Water
Water can exist in three different states:
Solid (Ice): Ice maintains its shape, does not flow, andremains rigid.
Liquid (Water): Water flows and takes theshapeof its container. It spreads on
surfaces but keeps its volumeconstant.
Gas (Water Vapour): Watervapour spreads out anddoes not have a fixed shape. It
exists in the air around us, though invisible.
How Can We Change the States of Water?
Melting: Solid (ice) turns into liquid (water) whenheated.
Freezing: Liquid (water) turns into solid (ice) when cooled.
Evaporation: Liquid (water) turns into gas (vapour) when heated.
Condensation: Gas (vapour) turns into liquid (water) whencooled.
Example: Wax can melt into aliquidwhen heatedand solidify when cooled, similar to
water.
Evaporation: Fast or Slow?
Factors affecting evaporation:
Exposed surface area: More surface area allows faster evaporation (e.g., water in a
plate evaporates faster thanin a bottlecap).
Temperature: Water evaporates faster ona hot daythanon a cold day.
Air movement: Wind helps speed upevaporation (e.g., clothes dry faster on a windy
day).
Cooling Effect of Evaporation
Water in earthenpots remains cooler due to evaporation. Water seeps through the
pot’ s surface andevaporates, coolingtheremainingwater.
Example: Whenwe applysanitiser or sprinkle water on hot surfaces, evaporation
leads to acooling effect.
How Do Clouds Give UsRain?
Water vapour inthe air condenses into droplets whenit cools at high altitudes,
formingclouds.
Rain occurs whenwater droplets in the clouds become heavyand fall to the Earth.
This process is part of the water cycle, wherewater evaporates from the Earth’ s
surfaceand returns as rain, snow, or hail.
The Water Cycle
Evaporation: Water from oceans, lakes, and rivers turns into vapour.
Condensation: Water vapourrises, cools, andforms clouds.
Precipitation: Water falls back to Earth as rain, hail, or snow.
Collection: Water collects in oceans, lakes, and rivers, continuingthecycle.
Summary of Key Concepts
Evaporation: Liquid to gas.
Condensation: Gas to liquid.
Melting: Solid to liquid.
Freezing: Liquid to solid.
Water Cycle: The continuous movement of water on, above, and belowthe Earth’ s
surface.
 9 Methods of Separation in Everyday Life
Handpicking
A simple methodused to separate substances based on differences insize, color, or
shape.
Example: Removing small stones from grains like rice or wheat.
Threshing
The process of separating grains from stalks by beating.
Commonly used by farmers afterharvesting crops.
Winnowing
Separatinglighter components like husk from heaviergrains by blowing air or using
wind.
Traditionallydone using a bamboo tray (soop).
Sieving
Used to separate components of different sizes.
Example: Sieving flour to remove bran or small stones.
Evaporation
A method to separate dissolvedsolids from liquids byheating.
Example: Obtainingsalt from seawater.
Sedimentation and Decantation
Sedimentation: The heavier solidsettles at the bottom when left undisturbed.
Decantation: The liquid is gently poured out, leaving thesolid behind.
Example: Separatingtea leaves from tea.
Filtration
Separates insoluble solids from liquids using a filter (e.g., filter paper or cloth).
Example: Filtering muddywater.
Churning
Used to separate butter from curd byrotatingor shaking.
Butter, being lighter, floats at thetop.
Magnetic Separation
Separatingmagnetic materials from a mixture using amagnet.
Example: Removing ironnails from sawdust.
Summary of Separation Methods
Handpicking: Removes larger, visible components.
Threshing: Separates grains from stalks.
Winnowing: Uses windto blowaway lighter substances.
Sieving: Separates components based onparticle size.
Evaporation: Recovers solids from asolution.
Sedimentation&Decantation: Separates heavier particles by settling.
Filtration: Uses filters to separate solids from liquids.
Churning: Extracts butter from curd.
Magnetic Separation: Isolates magnetic materials from non-magnetic o
10. Living Creatures: Exploring their Characteristics
Characteristicsof Living Beings:
Living beings aredifferent from non-living things basedon these characteristics:
Movement: Livingbeings can move by themselves (e.g., animals walk or fly). Plants
show movement likeopening of flowers and the movement of climbers or
insectivorous plants.
Growth: Livingbeings grow over time. Forexample, plants growfrom seeds into
larger plants, andhumans and animals grow in size.
Need for Food (Nutrition): All livingbeings require food to growand gain energy.
Respiration: Living beings breatheand respire to obtainenergy from food. For
example, humans and animals breathe oxygen, while plants take inair through
stomata.
Excretion: Living beings excrete waste. For example, humans excreteurine and
sweat, while plants excretewater through leaves.
Response to Stimuli: Living beings respond to their environment. For example, a
touch-me-not plant folds its leaves when touched.
Reproduction: Living beings reproduce to produceoffspring. Animals givebirth to
young ones, whileplants produce seeds that growinto newplants.
Death: All living beings eventually die when they no longer show thesecharacteristics.
Difference Between Living and Non-Living Things:
Living things (e.g., plants, animals) can move, grow, reproduce, breathe, andexcrete.
Non-living things (e.g., a chair, car) do not grow, moveon their own, or show anyof
the abovecharacteristics.
Seed Germination:
For seeds to grow into plants, they need theright conditions:
Water: Softens the seed coat andhelps the embryo develop.
Air: Seeds useair from the soil for respiration.
Sunlight: Although not necessary for germination, it is essential for the further growth
of the seedling.
Germination begins when a seed turns into a sprout. The right combination of water,
air, and warmth allows seeds to growinto plants.
Plant Growth and Movement:
Plant Growth: Plants grow byextendingtheir roots downward into the soil andtheir
shoots upwardtowards the sun.
Plant Movement: While plants do not move from place to place, they show
movements like bending toward light (phototropism) and roots growing downward
(geotropism).

Life Cycle of a Plant:

The life cycle of a plant begins withseed germination, followedby growth into a
seedling, and eventually, the plant produces flowers andfruits. The fruits contain
seeds that lead to the next generation ofplants.
Life Cycle of a Mosquito:
Mosquitoes pass through four stages:
Egg: Laid in water.
Larva: Lives in water andbreathes air at the surface.
Pupa: Stage wherethemosquito develops insidewater.
Adult: The mature mosquito flies away and repeats the cycle.
Life Cycle of a Frog:
Frogs go through thefollowingstages:
Egg: Laid in water.
Tadpole: Lives inwater with atail for swimming.
Froglet: Develops legs andstarts living onland andwater.
Adult Frog: Lives bothon landand in water, and reproduces to complete the cycle.
 11 Nature’ s TreasuresCuriosity
Introduction to Nature’ s Treasures:
Ajji introduces Bhoomi and Suryato the natural treasures aroundher village, including
fresh air, fertile soil, sunlight, and biodiversity(varietyof plants and animals).
These treasures are essential for lifeon Earth, as theyprovide resources for survival
and comfort.
Air:
Importance of Air:
Air contains oxygen which is crucial for survival. Humans andmost livingbeings need
oxygen for performing bodily functions.
Activity: Breathing exercises to observe the significance ofoxygen.
Composition of Air: 78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen, and 1% Argon, carbon dioxide, and
other gases.
Wind: Moving air is called wind, whichcan be fast (storm) or slow(breeze). Wind
energy is used inwindmills to generate electricity.
Water:
Usesof Water: Water is used for drinking, cooking, farming, and industrial purposes.
Sources of Water: Oceans, seas, rivers, lakes, andunderground water. Most of
Earth’ s water is saline, makingfreshwater limited andprecious.
Water Conservation:
Importance of using water efficiently, reducing wastage, andpreventing water
pollution.
Rainwater Harvesting: Collectingand storingrainwater for future use. It is practiced in
stepwells in Rajasthan (Bawadi) and Gujarat (Vav).
Water Pollution: Causes include trash dumping and industrial waste, which make
water unfit for consumption.
Energy from the Sun:
The Sun is the main source of energy on Earth.
Uses:
Helps plants prepare food(photosynthesis).
Used for drying clothes and food (e.g., drying chilies).
Solarenergy can becapturedusing solar panels for electricity, cooking, and heating.
Renewable Energy: Solar energy is renewableand eco-friendly.
Forests:
Forests are home to a varietyof plants, animals, and insects.
Importance of Forests:
They provide foodand shelter for animals.
They helpin soil conservation by preventing erosion.
Forest cover has been decreasing dueto deforestation.
Conservation Efforts: Van Mahotsav (Forest Festival) promotes treeplantingand
forest conservation. The Chipko movement, where people huggedtrees to prevent
them from being cut, is a famous example of forest protection.
Soil, Rocks, andMinerals:
Soil Formation: Soil is formed by the breakdown of rocks over thousands of years.
Typesof Soil: Different soils are goodfor different purposes, such as agriculture or
building materials.
Rocks and Minerals:
Rocks are used inconstruction andtools.
Minerals like gold, copper, and iron areimportant for making electronics and vehicles.
Soil Conservation:
Soil is a precious resourcethat supports biodiversity andplant life.
Fossil Fuels:
Fossil fuels (petroleum, natural gas, coal) are formedfrom the remains of ancient
organisms.
Usage: Fossil fuels are used for transportation, electricity generation, and domestic
purposes.
Non-renewable: These resources arelimited and take millions ofyears to form,
making their conservation crucial.
Pollution: Burning fossil fuels causes air pollution by releasingsmokeand carbon
dioxide.
Natural Resources:
Definition: we get heat andlight from theSun, waterfrom rivers, and food from plants
and animals. Theseresources whichwe get from naturearecallednatural resources
Types:
Renewable Resources: Replenishednaturally over time.
Examples: Air, water, sunlight, forests.
Non-Renewable Resources: Limited in supply and take millions of years to form.
Examples: Fossil fuels, minerals, rocks.
Human-Made Resources:
Definition: Wealso use natural resources to makemany useful things for our
convenience. For example, electric bulbs, furniture, solar panels, bicycles, etc., make
our lives comfortable. All such resources created by human beings are called
humanmade resources.
Characteristics:
Requirehuman effort and technology for their creation.
Dependon natural resources as rawmaterials.
Activities for Awareness:
Water and Air Conservation: Usewater responsiblyand avoidpollutingair and water.
Tree Plantation: Plant trees to increasegreen cover and combat deforestation.
Survey: Conduct a survey to learnabout vehicle fuel types in the neighborhood.
 12 Beyond Earth
Introduction
Location: Nubra in Ladakh, India, is knownfor clear skies, makingstars easilyvisible.
Characters: Yangdol and Dorjay, siblings, are fascinated bythe night sky and star
patterns.
Stars and Constellations
Stars: Shinewith their own light, and some are brighter than others.
Constellations: Groups of stars forming patterns, used for navigationin ancient times.
Example: Orion (Hunter), Canis Major (Dog), Taurus (Bull).
88 constellations havebeen officially recognized by theInternational Astronomical
Union (IAU).
Pole Star (Polaris): Appears stationaryin the north andhelps in navigation.
Big Dipper and Little Dipper: Well-known patterns. TheBig Dipper is part of Ursa
Major, and theLittle Dipper is inUrsa Minor.
Watching theNight Sky
Best conditions: Aclear, dark place withno city lights.
Use apps: Like SkyMap to find constellations and stars.
Preparation: Bring a compass and print out star maps for easy observation.
The Solar System
The Sun: Astar closest to Earth, provides heat and light, and is about 150 million km
away.
Diameter: 100 times largerthanEarth.
The Earthand other planets revolve aroundit.
Planets: Large, nearly spherical objects revolvingaround the Sun.
Inner Planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars (rocky surfaces).
Outer Planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune(mostlygases).
Pluto: Reclassified as a dwarf planet in2006.
Natural Satellites
Moons: Natural satellites that revolvearound planets.
Earth’ s moon takes about 27 days for afull revolution.
Features: Craters formed by asteroid impacts.
India’ slunar missions: Chandrayaan 1, 2, and 3 (successfully landed on the Moon’
s south pole).
Asteroids and Comets
Asteroids: Small rocky objects, mainly foundin the asteroid belt between Mars and
Jupiter.
Comets: Objects made of dust, gas, rocks, and icethat form a visibletail when near
the Sun.
Example: Halley’ s Comet, visible every76 years.
The Milky Way Galaxy
Galaxy: A vast system of stars; the Milky Way contains millions to billions of stars,
including our Solar System.
Visibleas afaint band of light in thenight sky.

The Universe
Beyondthe Milky Way: There are many other galaxies. Scientists areexploring
exoplanets to find evidence of life, but no proof has beenfoundyet