Our Sky !
Explore the Sun, Moon, stars, shadows, and sky patterns!
🌌 Chapter Summary
This chapter introduces children to the wonders of the sky, exploring the Sun, Moon, stars, shadows, and how they change throughout the day and night. It explains how the Sun appears to move, how shadows form and shift, and how the Moon changes shape. Children observe sky patterns, sketch shadows, understand how ancient people used the Moon’s shape to make calendars, and learn about festivals like Eid, Diwali, and Guru Poornima based on Moon phases. It also introduces India’s Chandrayaan mission, encouraging curiosity about space.
Let Us Answer
Page 153: Sky Observation Table
Sample Sky Observation Table:
| Time of Day | Sky Observation |
|---|---|
| Morning | Orange sky, rising sun, chirping birds |
| Afternoon | Bright blue sky, strong sunlight |
| Night | Black sky, Moon, twinkling stars |
Do animals and plants behave differently during the day?
Ans: Yes. Birds chirp in the morning, cows graze in daylight, owls are active at night, and flowers like sunflowers bloom in sunlight but close in the evening.
Page 154: Sunrise and Sunset Observations
When the Sun rises:
Ans:
Sky look: Orange-red horizon with rising sun
Birds & animals: Birds chirp, animals wake up
Home changes: People wake up, start daily chores
When the Sun sets:
Ans:
Sky look: Sky turns orange and purple
Birds & animals: Birds return to nests, dogs bark
Home changes: Lights turn on, people rest/dinner time
Page 155: Shadow Changes
Shadow Changes:
Ans:
Morning Shadows: Long, pointing west
Noon Shadows: Shortest, right below object
Evening Shadows: Long, pointing east
Are shadows only formed in sunlight?
Ans: No, they are also formed under torchlight, lamp, or any light source.
Why do shadows change?
Ans: Because the position of the light source (like the Sun) changes throughout the day.
Page 156: Torchlight Activity
If the torch is closer to the object:
Ans: The shadow becomes bigger.
If the direction of the torch changes:
Ans: The shadow direction also changes.
Page 157: Shadow Drawing
Describe Shadow Changes:
Ans:
Morning: Sun in East, shadow long and westward
Noon: Sun overhead, shadow short and below
Evening: Sun in West, shadow long and eastward
Page 158: Sundial & Time
Do you know?
Ans: Ancient people used sundials to tell time by observing shadows. Jantar Mantar in India has a Samrat Yantra, a giant sundial.
Page 159: Star Patterns
Star Patterns:
Ans: Draw star patterns like:
- Saptarshi (Big Dipper)
- Orion (Hunter)
- Cassiopeia (W-shape)
(Students may create their own patterns too.)
Page 160–161: Moon Observations
Moon Shapes:
Ans:
- 🌕 Full Moon (Poornima)
- 🌗 Half Moon
- 🌘 Crescent Moon (like letter ‘C’)
- 🌑 New Moon (Amavasya – no Moon)
Festivals based on Moon:
| Moon Phase | Festival |
|---|---|
| Full Moon | Guru Poornima, Buddha Poornima |
| New Moon | Diwali |
| Crescent Moon | Eid |
Page 162–163: Think and Answer
Two differences between:
(a) Day and night
Ans:
- Day: Bright, Sun visible
- Night: Dark, Moon and stars visible
(b) Morning and Evening Sky
Ans:
- Morning: Orange with rising Sun
- Evening: Orange-pink with setting Sun
(c) Our activities
Ans:
- Day: School, work
- Night: Rest, sleep
(d) Animal activities
Ans:
- Day: Birds active, cows graze
- Night: Owls and bats come out
Meera’s questions to teacher (Examples):
Ans:
- Why does the Sun appear to move across the sky?
- Is the Sun actually moving or is it Earth that moves?
Shadow direction and length:
Ans:
In morning: Sun is east, shadow falls west
In afternoon: Sun is west, shadow falls east
Length: Shadow is longer in morning/evening and shorter at noon.
Page 163: Creative Corner
Sample Poem:
Ans:
The sky turns pink, then blue so wide,
Clouds like ships on a peaceful ride.
At night it shines with Moon and stars,
A magical show from near and far!
Riddle:
Ans:
Only one colour, but not one size
Appears with light, looks very nice
Answer: Shadow
Activities
Page 153: Sky Observation Table
Activity: Observe the sky at different times and record changes.
Instructions: Note the sky’s appearance in the morning, afternoon, and night in a table. Include details like colours, Sun/Moon, and bird activity.
Page 156: Torchlight Activity
Activity: Use a torch to create and observe shadows.
Instructions: Shine a torch on an object, move it closer/farther, and change its direction. Record how the shadow’s size and direction change.
Page 157: Shadow Drawing
Activity: Draw shadows of an object at different times of the day.
Instructions: Place an object (e.g., a stick) outside in the morning, noon, and evening. Trace its shadow on paper and describe changes in length and direction.
Page 159: Star Patterns
Activity: Identify and draw star patterns in the night sky.
Instructions: On a clear night, observe constellations like Saptarshi, Orion, or Cassiopeia. Draw their shapes or create your own patterns on paper.
Page 160–161: Moon Observations
Activity: Observe the Moon’s shape over a month and note festivals.
Instructions: Sketch the Moon’s shape (e.g., crescent, full) every few days. Match shapes to festivals like Eid (crescent) or Diwali (new Moon).
Page 163: Creative Corner
Activity: Write a poem or riddle about the sky.
Instructions: Create a short poem about the sky’s beauty or a riddle about shadows or stars. Share with classmates.
Let Us Reflect
Students can reflect on the chapter by discussing how the sky influences daily life, the importance of Moon phases in festivals, and India’s space achievements like Chandrayaan. They can share their sky observations and creative works.
Concepts Covered
- Changes in the sky: Sun, Moon, stars, and shadows
- Sun’s apparent movement and shadow changes
- Moon phases and their link to festivals
- Star patterns and constellations
- Ancient timekeeping with sundials
- India’s Chandrayaan mission
- Hands-on activities: Sky observation, shadow drawing, star patterns, Moon tracking, creative writing
