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5. Chhotu’s House

Chhotu came to Mumbai for the first time...

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Ω Study the pictures carefully and answer the following:

What did Chhotu think when he looked at the pipe?
How did Chhotu use the pipe?
Into which parts did Chhotu divide the pipe and its surrounding area?
In which part of this house will Chhotu like to spend most of his time?
Why do you think Chhotu invited Monu to live with him in the pipe?

** A discussion on when a ‘house’ becomes a ‘home’ will help to clarify the difference between a ‘house’ and a ‘home’.

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¶ Draw a picture of your house in your notebook and colour it.

⇒ # Who all live with you in your house?

_________________ _________________ _________________ _________________

# Chhotu divided the pipe into different parts. Write the names of the different parts of your house.

_________________ _________________ _________________ _________________

ΩΩΩ # How much time in a day do you spend in each part of your house?

# Is there any part of your house where a particular member of your family spends more time?

# Is there any part of your house where a particular family member never goes or goes for a short time?

You must have seen that some animals also live with us in our houses. Some of these animals live with us because we want them to, while some are there uninvited.

** It is important to talk to children about their houses sensitively. There are different kinds of houses, this has been kept in mind and hence, instead of rooms we have used ‘parts of a house’. That some family members go or do not go to certain parts of the house, reflect the family traditions and gender biases.

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Home Sweet Home

You always tell me mother

The house belongs only to us,

But how do I believe that mother,

When I know it belongs to many more.

Look mother, how these mice,

Are all playing ‘catch-catch’ together,

And look how these mosquitoes fly,

Any how peaceful lies the happy spider.

And look mother at the lazy lizard,

How slowly it crawls to and fro,

And look at so many black ants,

All marching in a row.

And look outside in the courtyard,

The birds are all pecking about,

Just like when my sister and I,

Sometimes fight, quarrel and shout.

That is why I say, dear mother,

Don’t think this house is only ours,

It’s dear to us and all who live here,

And have been living for many years.

(Translated from the Hindi)

BACHCHA TOLI (Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti)

Do you Know?

Rats have poor eye sights but have excellent sense of smell, touch and taste.

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¶ ## Draw pictures of any two animals that live in our house uninvited. Write their names below the pictures.

_____________________

# Do you keep your house clean? How?

________________________________

Ω # Who all help to keep your house clean?

# Where do you go to freshen up in the morning?

# Where do you throw the garbage of your house?

# Is the area around your house clean?

# Do you use a toilet in or around your house?

# Who cleans it?

# How do you help in keeping it clean?

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¶ Use of Toilet

Simmi noticed that her friend Billu was getting uncomfortable. He was not talking to her.

Simmi: Billu. What happened? You look so dull.

Billu: I don’t know how to use the toilet properly. Heera Ma’am would be on her round and again she would scold me as usual for not using the toilet properly.

Simmi: Why don’t you use the toilet properly then?

Billu: I am scared that I would fall in the toilet pit!

Simmi: How stupid? And now I know it is you and many of our friends like you who make our toilets so dirty by not using the toilet properly. Don’t be scared.

Be responsible.

• Let us now see how to be responsible.

• Use the toilet by sitting properly.

• Always flush it with water after use.

• Wash yourself properly.

• Wash yours hands thoroughly.

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Did You Know?

For Gandhiji’s 150 th birthday, the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan was launched. It is to help us realise that cleanliness is everyone’s duty and responsibility.

Describe the toilet area in your school.
Is it clean?
Who cleans it and how?
How do you help in it?

From now, Billu used the toilet responsibly. He left it clean after its use and washed his hands.

⇒ # Do you leave the Toilet as clean as you want it for yourself?

# Enlist the times when you wash hands.

#When do you think your hands get dirty?

#When all do you need to keep yourself clean?

Bathing and brushing teeth
Clipping the nails regularly
________________________
________________________

# What will happen if we do not do the above?

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Look, how beautifully Lata's house is decorated.

Is there any special way in which you decorate your house? When and how ?

______________________________________

ΩΩΩ Ask your friends when and how they decorate their houses.

⇒ Name the things with which you decorate your house.