📖 PRE-READING ACTIVITIES (Page 70)

1. A tree is useful to us in many ways. Mention some of these uses. Write them in the picture given below. 🌳

(Sample Answers to fill in the tree bubbles)

·         🫧 Bubble 1: Some parts of trees are used in preparing medicines. (Given in book)

·         🫧 Bubble 2: Trees give us fresh air and oxygen to breathe.

·         🫧 Bubble 3: Trees provide shade and shelter to humans, birds, and animals.

·         🫧 Bubble 4: Trees give us fruits, wood, and paper.

2. Neem is a common tree in our country. Discuss in groups and fill Columns A and B with what you know about the neem tree and what you want to know more about it. 🤔

(Sample Answers)

📝 LET US DISCUSS: Fact Sheet (Page 72)

Amber found many facts about the neem tree from Neem Baba. Fill up the fact sheet based on what Neem Baba told her.

LET US KNOW OUR NEEM

🗣️ LET US DISCUSS: Q&A (Page 75)

1. How is neem useful to farmers? 🧑‍🌾

Answer: Neem is very useful to farmers. If the powder of neem seeds is mixed in water and sprayed on plants, locusts do not eat them. In rice fields where water remains standing, it stops mosquito breeding and helps increase crop yield. It also saves crops from root-eating termites and stops the breeding of other insects that damage crops.

2. Mention some of the uses of the neem tree. 🌳

Answer:

·         🪥 People clean their teeth with neem twigs and protect clothes with neem leaves.

·         🤒 Neem leaves are placed on the bed of measles patients because they destroy germs and give comfort from itching.

·         💊 The leaves, bark, flowers, fruits, and even roots are used to make medicines to cure diseases.

·         🌾 Neem seed powder is added to stored grains to save them from insects.

·         🧼 Neem oil is used to make soaps and toothpaste.

·         🪑 Furniture made from neem wood is not eaten by termites.

·         🌬️ Neem also purifies the air.

🤔 LET US THINK AND REFLECT (Page 76)

1. You just read about the Neem tree. Write any two facts that surprised you the most. 😲

Answer: (Sample answers)

1.      I was surprised to learn that the name 'Neem' was actually given by the Iranians, not Indians.

2.      I was surprised that furniture made from neem wood is naturally protected from termites.

2. Complete the following sentences. ✍️

(a) The Neem Tree asked Amber to call him Neem Baba because she played in his shade in her childhood.

(b) Neem seed powder protects crops from locusts, termites, and other insects that eat crops.

(c) Putting the powder of neem seeds is a cost-effective method to stop mosquitoes from breeding in stagnant water.

(d) One reason why doctors advise us to use neem leaves for someone suffering from measles is that the leaves have chemical properties that destroy germs, give comfort from itching, and do not allow germs to breed.

3. Which parts of the neem tree are used to make medicines? 🏥

Answer: Neem leaves, bark, flowers, fruits, and even roots can be used to make medicines.

📖 LET US LEARN: Grammar & Vocabulary (Page 76 - 77)

1. Study these words from the text and put the compound words given above in their trees. 🌲

(Words given: something, neem oil, cleanliness-parting, well known, grandmother, seed powder, childhood, well trained, thought-provoking)

Answer:

2. Match the verbs in the first column showing action in the present to verbs in the second column showing action in the past. Make a sentence with any one form of the verb. 📝

Answer:

🗣️ FIGURE OF SPEECH: Personification (Page 78)

Question: Neem Baba speaks to Amber as if he is a person. This figure of speech is called personification. Let us look at some more examples: The leaves whispered in the wind. The flowers danced merrily in the breeze. Now, discuss it with your classmates and teacher.

Sample Discussion Answer: Personification makes nature seem alive. In the story, giving the tree a voice makes us respect it more, just like we respect a wise grandfather (Baba). Another example of personification is: "The sun smiled down on us."

🎧 LET US LISTEN (Page 78)

Question: You will now listen to a boy speaking to his mother. As you listen, select the correct statements. (refer to page 95 for transcript).

(Note: Since the audio/transcript is separate, here are the likely correct themes based on standard environmental lessons):

·         (a) The mother was surprised to know that Peepal Baba had planted trees all over the country. ✅ (Likely True)

·         (b) The mother disliked the work being done by Peepal Baba. ❌ (Likely False)

·         (c) The mother wanted to know more about Peepal Baba. ✅ (Likely True)

·         (d) The boy decided to take care of trees by listening to Peepal Baba's journey. ✅ (Likely True)

·         (e) The boy was worried about what his teacher had told him. ❌ (Likely False)

🎨 LET US SPEAK (Page 78)

Activity: Collect dry leaves of four different trees. Make a card, draw the leaf, write the name and its use. Speak about it in class.

Sample Speech / Answer for the Activity:

"Hello friends! 🌿 I made a card using a Tulsi (Holy Basil) leaf. I took a dry leaf from the Tulsi plant in my courtyard and traced its shape. Inside my card, I wrote that Tulsi leaves are very useful because boiling them in water and drinking it cures colds and coughs."

✍️ LET US WRITE (Page 79)

Activity: Look at the trees in your neighbourhood and write a paragraph about any one tree that you like. Include where it is, what it is like, why you like it, and give a title.

Sample Answer Paragraph:

Title: The Great Banyan Tree 🌳

In the park near my house, there is a giant Banyan tree. It is very tall and has a massive, thick trunk. Its leaves are dark green and oval-shaped, and it has long aerial roots hanging down from its branches like thick ropes. I like this tree the most because its huge canopy provides excellent shade during the hot summer days. It provides shelter to many birds, squirrels, and insects, making it look like a busy, beautiful natural home.

🔎 LET US EXPLORE (Page 79)

Question: Neem has different names in the Indian languages. Discuss with your teacher and find out which Indian languages these names belong to.

Answer: