🌿 Chapter 3: Nature Trail
Join a virtual nature trail to learn about forests, wildlife, and conservation!
🌿 Chapter Summary
This chapter takes students on a virtual nature trail in Pachmarhi, where they explore forests, observe animals and birds, study leaves, and learn about interdependence in nature. Children discover how all living beings are connected and how careful observation reveals behaviors, movements, and roles of species. The chapter encourages conservation through activities like nature walks, leaf tracing, birdwatching, and role-play, fostering appreciation for the environment.
✅ Let Us Answer
Page 37: Forest Rules
Rules to follow in a forest:
Ans:
- Do not feed animals
- Do not pluck flowers
- Do not litter
- Do not make loud noises
Why important?
Ans: To protect wildlife and maintain forest cleanliness and safety.
Page 39: Animal Classification
Animals on land:
Ans: Deer, Tiger, Rabbit, Bison, Elephant
Birds in sky:
Ans: Peacock, Hornbill, Owl, Sparrow
Page 40: Animal Features
Examples:
| Name | Feature |
|---|---|
| Elephant | Long trunk for food and water |
| Sparrow | Short beak to crack seeds |
| Tiger | Sharp teeth and claws for hunting |
| Owl | Can see in the dark |
| Deer | Fast runner, sensitive ears |
Indian Giant Squirrel vs. local squirrel:
Ans: The Indian Giant Squirrel is larger, red in color, and lives mostly on trees. Local squirrels are smaller, usually grey or brown, and quick movers.
Page 44–45: Bird Identification
Birds shown (example answers):
Ans: Hornbill, Owl, Peacock, Sparrow
Tool Matching for Food Picking (Examples):
| Food Item | Tool |
|---|---|
| Grains | Spoon (sparrow-like beak) |
| Berries | Toothpick (long beak like sunbird) |
| Nuts | Pliers/tongs (parrot-like beak) |
| Fruit Pieces | Spoon or hand |
Page 47: Bird Diary Entry (Sample)
Observation:
| Feature | Observation |
|---|---|
| Head colour | Black |
| Back colour | Brown |
| Wing colours | White and black |
| Beak shape | Short and curved |
| Throat colour | White |
| Leg colour | Yellow |
| Interesting Fact | It chirps loudly and hops quickly |
Page 48: Water-Dwelling Animals
Movement:
| Animal | Movement |
|---|---|
| Fish | Swims |
| Crab | Walks sideways |
| Frog | Jumps |
| Turtle | Swims, crawls |
| Crocodile | Swims and crawls |
| Snake | Slithers |
Page 49: Insects Around Us
Home insects:
Ans: Ants, houseflies, mosquitoes, beetles, cockroaches
Name the insects shown (examples):
Ans:
- (a) Ant
- (b) Butterfly
- (c) Bee
- (d) Grasshopper
- (e) Ladybird
- (f) Dragonfly
- (g) Praying mantis
Page 50–51: Leaf Observation Table
Example:
| Leaf Name | Colour | Shape | Texture | Other Observations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lemon | Green | Oval | Smooth | Strong smell |
| Neem | Dark green | Long & narrow | Rough | Medicinal use |
| Banana | Light green | Large and wide | Soft | Useful for plates |
Leaf vein types:
Ans: Parallel (e.g., banana) vs. netted (e.g., mango)
Page 54–55: Web of Life Game
Animal you’d love to be? Why?
Ans: Eagle – to fly high and see everything from above.
How are plants and animals dependent?
Ans: Animals depend on plants for food and shelter; plants depend on animals for pollination and seed dispersal.
Role of a nature scientist:
Ans: Studies plants and animals, protects the environment, and educates others about conservation.
Word Search – Treasures of Forest (Examples):
Ans: Tiger, Elephant, Deer, Owl, Banyan, Compost, Snake, Plants, Squirrel, Kingfisher, Sparrow, Eggshell
✩✩ Activities
Page 42–43: Footprint Activity
Activity: Name animals likely to visit the pond (e.g., Deer, Rabbit, Tiger, Leopard).
Instructions: Draw footprints in your notebook, such as a hoof for deer), a large paw print for a tiger, or webbed feet for a duck. Label each footprint.
Page 47: Bird Diary Entry
Activity: Observe a bird and note its features in a diary entry format.
Instructions: Watch a local bird (e.g., sparrow) for 5–10 minutes, record details like colors and beak shape, and write an interesting fact in your notebook.
Page 52: Leaf Autograph
Activity: Place leaf vein-side up, cover with paper, rub crayon to reveal pattern.
Try with: Guava, Mango, Neem, Peepal leaves
Instructions: Collect 2–3 leaves, place them under a sheet of paper, and gently rub with crayons to create a leaf pattern. Label each leaf type.
Page 56: Nature Walk Task
Activity: Identify 3–5 local trees, birds, or animals and learn their features.
Examples:
- Banyan: aerial roots
- Crow: black feathers, loud call
- Dog: loyal, sensitive nose
Instructions: Take a walk in a park or garden, observe and list 3–5 species, and note unique features in your notebook.
Page 56: Role-play
Activity: Assign forest characters (tree, bird, insect, human), rehearse lines about protecting nature.
Instructions: In groups, enact a short skit where each student plays a forest character and shares a conservation message.
Page 56: Paper Turtle Craft
Activity: Make a paper turtle using old newspaper.
Instructions: Fold newspaper following teacher guidance to create a turtle shape, then decorate it with colors or markers.
Page 56: State Symbols Activity
Example (Assam):
Ans:
- State Animal: One-Horned Rhino
- State Bird: White-Winged Wood
- State Tree: Hollong
- State Flower: Foxtail
Instructions: Research your state’s symbols using books or online resources and present them in class.
🧠 Reflect
No specific reflection questions are listed, but students can reflect on chapter themes through activities like the Web of Life game or discussions about conservation and interdependence.
🧠 Concepts Covered
- Forest safety and observation
- Identification of birds, animals, and their features
- Animal movements and footprints
- Leaf types, shapes, and textures
- Role of beaks and claws in birds
- Insects and tiny animals
- Interdependence through the “Web of Life” game
- Environmental protection and nature appreciation
- Hands-on activities: Nature walks, leaf tracing, birdwatching, role-play
