NCERT Class 4 EVS Our Wondrous World Chapter 07 How Things Work PDF Download

Unit 4: Things Around Us

About the Unit

This unit familiarises students with various things around them, how different things work and also how those things are made.

Students observe and test how things work by engaging with easily available toys, such as spinners and paper boats. They try out different possibilities with these toys and study how things work. They also test out which things sink or float by putting different things in the water.

Other than how things work, students will also learn about how different things are made. They will also learn how to prepare handmade paper and gradually learn how papers are made in large scale through machines. This unit gives them a chance to understand the properties of paper and the making of coloured papers too. In the process, students will learn sustainable practices through 5Rs of waste management and get ready to take responsible decisions. By experimenting with both traditional and modern paper-making techniques, they will develop a deeper appreciation for the materials we uses in everyday life and their connection to our environment.

Note to the Teacher

This unit consists of Chapter 7 - How Things Work and Chapter 8 - How Things are Made. The key concepts covered in these chapters are listed below.

Chapter 7

• 'How Things Work' nurtures student's natural curiosity to try out and observe common phenomena around them, including spinning, floating and sinking. Through hands-on activities with toys, papers and other materials used in day-to-day life, they will discover the patterns, and develop a sense of wonder about how things work.
• The simple experiments will enable students to observe what happens and how things work in different situations. In this process, they will discover various common patterns which gives them new learning about the materials. These new discoveries will raise their interest and curiosity in things further, and it also encourages them to know how things work.

Chapter 8

• 'How Things are Made' provides space to students to make something with their own hands, using locally available material. They will learn how to prepare paper pulp and make handmade paper out of this. They will also learn how paper is made.
• By making recycled paper, they will discover the beauty of sustainability and innovation. They will also learn the 5Rs of waste management which are essential in today's world.

Teacher to Facilitate

• Arrange objects, such as coins, bangles, wooden spinners, leaves, and stones for activities including spinning, floating and sinking. Keep cardboard, toothpicks and adhesive ready for students to undertake these hands-on activities.
• Organise group activities like making and testing spinners, predicting and observing floating and sinking objects, and designing boats with different materials. Encourage students to record these observations.
• Arrange needed materials for the floating and sinking activities. Encourage students to note predictions and results. Guide them to think critically about different shape and materials, etc.
• Organise an exhibition where students will be able to display their handmade boats and share their findings.

Chapter 7: How Things Work

Every day, we see and use different things around us, like the books we read and the toys we play with. Some of these things help us work. We use a pencil for writing, a bag to carry books, and so on.

Have you ever wondered how these things work? Do they always work the same way in all situations? What changes might be needed to make them work even better? Let us explore and find out how different things around us work.

Meera and Dhruv love exploring how things work. Every weekend, they discover something new to explore. That Sunday was no different. Meera spun a coin and observed curiously. "Watch this!", she said.

Activity 1

1. Do you think all objects can spin? Make a list of a few objects that can spin.
2. Collect the objects mentioned in the table given below. Spin and observe them. Then, complete the table.

Teacher's Note

When you spin different objects, notice how their shape and weight affect how long they spin and how smoothly they move. Some objects wobble and fall quickly, while others spin steadily for longer - this happens because of how their weight is distributed. By observing these patterns across many objects, you can predict which ones will spin well before you even try them.

Key Points

• Different objects have different abilities to spin, and some spin better than others depending on their shape and weight distribution.
• When spinning objects slow down, their movement changes - they may wobble, shake, or make different sounds as they lose speed.
• Careful observation during simple experiments helps you discover patterns about how things work and why they behave the way they do.
• Exploring with everyday objects like coins, bangles, and spinners develops your curiosity about the world around you.

This is a preview of the first 4 pages. To get the complete chapter, click below.