NCERT Textbook: Different Lands, Different Lives

 Page 1


Unit 5
About the Unit
This unit familiarises students with 
various land forms, lives and wide 
range of activities around them. It also 
introduces the sky including the Sun, 
the Moon and the stars.  
The world around us is full of 
wonders, from the land we walk on to 
the vast sky. ‘Our Environment’ invites 
students to explore the deep connection 
between nature and the everyday life. 
The experience of students in different 
landforms like plains, deserts, coastal 
regions and mountains enables them 
to discover how the natural set up 
in these places shape what they eat, 
wear and celebrate. Students will also 
be able to explore the unique plants 
and animals in these regions, gaining 
a better understanding of how nature 
and culture are linked. 
They will also look at the sky — 
the Sun, the Moon and the stars, and 
related cultural practices. Through 
observation, hands-on activities and 
creative expressions, students will 
be able to enrich their creative and 
analytical skills. They will also develop 
a deeper appreciation for both the 
natural world and the societies, they 
are part of.
Our Environment
Chapter 9.indd   128 Chapter 9.indd   128 27-03-2025   14:59:21 27-03-2025   14:59:21
Reprint 2026-27
Page 2


Unit 5
About the Unit
This unit familiarises students with 
various land forms, lives and wide 
range of activities around them. It also 
introduces the sky including the Sun, 
the Moon and the stars.  
The world around us is full of 
wonders, from the land we walk on to 
the vast sky. ‘Our Environment’ invites 
students to explore the deep connection 
between nature and the everyday life. 
The experience of students in different 
landforms like plains, deserts, coastal 
regions and mountains enables them 
to discover how the natural set up 
in these places shape what they eat, 
wear and celebrate. Students will also 
be able to explore the unique plants 
and animals in these regions, gaining 
a better understanding of how nature 
and culture are linked. 
They will also look at the sky — 
the Sun, the Moon and the stars, and 
related cultural practices. Through 
observation, hands-on activities and 
creative expressions, students will 
be able to enrich their creative and 
analytical skills. They will also develop 
a deeper appreciation for both the 
natural world and the societies, they 
are part of.
Our Environment
Chapter 9.indd   128 Chapter 9.indd   128 27-03-2025   14:59:21 27-03-2025   14:59:21
Reprint 2026-27
 Teacher to Facilitate
• Encourage students 
to share their travel 
experiences in the 
classroom. Guide them to 
create unique decorative 
items using materials from 
places they had visited 
and also locally available 
materials. Help students to 
conduct hands-on activities 
with torchlight and explore 
the shadows.
• Assign students to observe 
the Moon for a few days and 
sketch its changing shapes. 
Encourage them to draw 
star patterns they see at 
night.
• Arrange a stargazing 
session or a visit to a 
planetarium to deepen the 
students’ understanding of 
celestial patterns.
Note to the Teacher
This unit consists of chapter 9 — Different 
Lands, Different Lives, and chapter 10 — Our 
Sky. The key concepts covered in these chapters 
are listed below. 
Chapter 9
 • ‘Different Lands, Different Lives’ helps to 
discover the beauty of diverse landforms  
by bringing special experiences from 
plains, deserts, coastal regions and 
mountains. It will enable students to 
realise how these landscapes in??uence 
the way people in these areas live, from 
their food and clothing to their houses 
and festivals. Students will be able to 
explore the unique plants and animals 
of these regions, and connect with 
their local surroundings and deepen 
their understanding of socio-cultural 
relationship with nature.  
Chapter 10
 • ‘Our Sky’ sparks curiosity about the 
wonders of the sky and the celestial 
objects like the Sun, the Moon and the 
stars. Through observation and activities, 
children will be able to explore, and 
appreciate the related cultural practices 
and festivals. They will also observe 
the shadows formed at different times 
of the day and derive the cause of their 
changing lengths.
Chapter 9.indd   129 Chapter 9.indd   129 27-03-2025   14:59:23 27-03-2025   14:59:23
Reprint 2026-27
Page 3


Unit 5
About the Unit
This unit familiarises students with 
various land forms, lives and wide 
range of activities around them. It also 
introduces the sky including the Sun, 
the Moon and the stars.  
The world around us is full of 
wonders, from the land we walk on to 
the vast sky. ‘Our Environment’ invites 
students to explore the deep connection 
between nature and the everyday life. 
The experience of students in different 
landforms like plains, deserts, coastal 
regions and mountains enables them 
to discover how the natural set up 
in these places shape what they eat, 
wear and celebrate. Students will also 
be able to explore the unique plants 
and animals in these regions, gaining 
a better understanding of how nature 
and culture are linked. 
They will also look at the sky — 
the Sun, the Moon and the stars, and 
related cultural practices. Through 
observation, hands-on activities and 
creative expressions, students will 
be able to enrich their creative and 
analytical skills. They will also develop 
a deeper appreciation for both the 
natural world and the societies, they 
are part of.
Our Environment
Chapter 9.indd   128 Chapter 9.indd   128 27-03-2025   14:59:21 27-03-2025   14:59:21
Reprint 2026-27
 Teacher to Facilitate
• Encourage students 
to share their travel 
experiences in the 
classroom. Guide them to 
create unique decorative 
items using materials from 
places they had visited 
and also locally available 
materials. Help students to 
conduct hands-on activities 
with torchlight and explore 
the shadows.
• Assign students to observe 
the Moon for a few days and 
sketch its changing shapes. 
Encourage them to draw 
star patterns they see at 
night.
• Arrange a stargazing 
session or a visit to a 
planetarium to deepen the 
students’ understanding of 
celestial patterns.
Note to the Teacher
This unit consists of chapter 9 — Different 
Lands, Different Lives, and chapter 10 — Our 
Sky. The key concepts covered in these chapters 
are listed below. 
Chapter 9
 • ‘Different Lands, Different Lives’ helps to 
discover the beauty of diverse landforms  
by bringing special experiences from 
plains, deserts, coastal regions and 
mountains. It will enable students to 
realise how these landscapes in??uence 
the way people in these areas live, from 
their food and clothing to their houses 
and festivals. Students will be able to 
explore the unique plants and animals 
of these regions, and connect with 
their local surroundings and deepen 
their understanding of socio-cultural 
relationship with nature.  
Chapter 10
 • ‘Our Sky’ sparks curiosity about the 
wonders of the sky and the celestial 
objects like the Sun, the Moon and the 
stars. Through observation and activities, 
children will be able to explore, and 
appreciate the related cultural practices 
and festivals. They will also observe 
the shadows formed at different times 
of the day and derive the cause of their 
changing lengths.
Chapter 9.indd   129 Chapter 9.indd   129 27-03-2025   14:59:23 27-03-2025   14:59:23
Reprint 2026-27
Back to School from Holidays
The classroom was filled with excitement as children 
talked amongst themselves about their holidays. 
The desks were filled with colourful pictures and 
items from the places the children had visited. The 
teacher asked them to share their experiences.
Chandni talked about her visit to a beach in 
Odisha. Ritika described her experiences in the desert 
of Rajasthan, while Gurpreet told stories about a 
visit to his grandparents’ house in Amritsar, Punjab. 
Finally, Nayan read out from his diary describing 
his visit to the majestic mountains of Sikkim. 
Different Lands, Different Lands, 
Different Lives Different Lives
9
Chapter 9.indd   130 Chapter 9.indd   130 27-03-2025   14:59:25 27-03-2025   14:59:25
Reprint 2026-27
Page 4


Unit 5
About the Unit
This unit familiarises students with 
various land forms, lives and wide 
range of activities around them. It also 
introduces the sky including the Sun, 
the Moon and the stars.  
The world around us is full of 
wonders, from the land we walk on to 
the vast sky. ‘Our Environment’ invites 
students to explore the deep connection 
between nature and the everyday life. 
The experience of students in different 
landforms like plains, deserts, coastal 
regions and mountains enables them 
to discover how the natural set up 
in these places shape what they eat, 
wear and celebrate. Students will also 
be able to explore the unique plants 
and animals in these regions, gaining 
a better understanding of how nature 
and culture are linked. 
They will also look at the sky — 
the Sun, the Moon and the stars, and 
related cultural practices. Through 
observation, hands-on activities and 
creative expressions, students will 
be able to enrich their creative and 
analytical skills. They will also develop 
a deeper appreciation for both the 
natural world and the societies, they 
are part of.
Our Environment
Chapter 9.indd   128 Chapter 9.indd   128 27-03-2025   14:59:21 27-03-2025   14:59:21
Reprint 2026-27
 Teacher to Facilitate
• Encourage students 
to share their travel 
experiences in the 
classroom. Guide them to 
create unique decorative 
items using materials from 
places they had visited 
and also locally available 
materials. Help students to 
conduct hands-on activities 
with torchlight and explore 
the shadows.
• Assign students to observe 
the Moon for a few days and 
sketch its changing shapes. 
Encourage them to draw 
star patterns they see at 
night.
• Arrange a stargazing 
session or a visit to a 
planetarium to deepen the 
students’ understanding of 
celestial patterns.
Note to the Teacher
This unit consists of chapter 9 — Different 
Lands, Different Lives, and chapter 10 — Our 
Sky. The key concepts covered in these chapters 
are listed below. 
Chapter 9
 • ‘Different Lands, Different Lives’ helps to 
discover the beauty of diverse landforms  
by bringing special experiences from 
plains, deserts, coastal regions and 
mountains. It will enable students to 
realise how these landscapes in??uence 
the way people in these areas live, from 
their food and clothing to their houses 
and festivals. Students will be able to 
explore the unique plants and animals 
of these regions, and connect with 
their local surroundings and deepen 
their understanding of socio-cultural 
relationship with nature.  
Chapter 10
 • ‘Our Sky’ sparks curiosity about the 
wonders of the sky and the celestial 
objects like the Sun, the Moon and the 
stars. Through observation and activities, 
children will be able to explore, and 
appreciate the related cultural practices 
and festivals. They will also observe 
the shadows formed at different times 
of the day and derive the cause of their 
changing lengths.
Chapter 9.indd   129 Chapter 9.indd   129 27-03-2025   14:59:23 27-03-2025   14:59:23
Reprint 2026-27
Back to School from Holidays
The classroom was filled with excitement as children 
talked amongst themselves about their holidays. 
The desks were filled with colourful pictures and 
items from the places the children had visited. The 
teacher asked them to share their experiences.
Chandni talked about her visit to a beach in 
Odisha. Ritika described her experiences in the desert 
of Rajasthan, while Gurpreet told stories about a 
visit to his grandparents’ house in Amritsar, Punjab. 
Finally, Nayan read out from his diary describing 
his visit to the majestic mountains of Sikkim. 
Different Lands, Different Lands, 
Different Lives Different Lives
9
Chapter 9.indd   130 Chapter 9.indd   130 27-03-2025   14:59:25 27-03-2025   14:59:25
Reprint 2026-27
131 Di??erent Lands, Di??erent Lives
Note to the Teacher
Encourage students who stayed at home during vacation to 
participate in the discussion. Ask them to share their experiences 
about the places near their house, and to mention their local 
culture, food, activities, etc. 
You might have visited some places during your vacation. 
Write the name of the places and something special about 
them. Ask two or three of your friends about the places they 
had visited, and ??ll the table given below. 
Name 
of the 
friend
Name of the 
place
Types of regions 
(mountains, plains, coastal 
region, desert, etc.)
Something 
special 
about the 
place
Friend 1 Mountain Pine trees
Friend 2
Friend 3
Friend 4
Your 
Name
• Which type of place do you ??nd interesting?
• What similarities and differences do you ??nd in the 
place you visited, and those visited by your friends?
1
Chapter 9.indd   131 Chapter 9.indd   131 27-03-2025   14:59:26 27-03-2025   14:59:26
Reprint 2026-27
Page 5


Unit 5
About the Unit
This unit familiarises students with 
various land forms, lives and wide 
range of activities around them. It also 
introduces the sky including the Sun, 
the Moon and the stars.  
The world around us is full of 
wonders, from the land we walk on to 
the vast sky. ‘Our Environment’ invites 
students to explore the deep connection 
between nature and the everyday life. 
The experience of students in different 
landforms like plains, deserts, coastal 
regions and mountains enables them 
to discover how the natural set up 
in these places shape what they eat, 
wear and celebrate. Students will also 
be able to explore the unique plants 
and animals in these regions, gaining 
a better understanding of how nature 
and culture are linked. 
They will also look at the sky — 
the Sun, the Moon and the stars, and 
related cultural practices. Through 
observation, hands-on activities and 
creative expressions, students will 
be able to enrich their creative and 
analytical skills. They will also develop 
a deeper appreciation for both the 
natural world and the societies, they 
are part of.
Our Environment
Chapter 9.indd   128 Chapter 9.indd   128 27-03-2025   14:59:21 27-03-2025   14:59:21
Reprint 2026-27
 Teacher to Facilitate
• Encourage students 
to share their travel 
experiences in the 
classroom. Guide them to 
create unique decorative 
items using materials from 
places they had visited 
and also locally available 
materials. Help students to 
conduct hands-on activities 
with torchlight and explore 
the shadows.
• Assign students to observe 
the Moon for a few days and 
sketch its changing shapes. 
Encourage them to draw 
star patterns they see at 
night.
• Arrange a stargazing 
session or a visit to a 
planetarium to deepen the 
students’ understanding of 
celestial patterns.
Note to the Teacher
This unit consists of chapter 9 — Different 
Lands, Different Lives, and chapter 10 — Our 
Sky. The key concepts covered in these chapters 
are listed below. 
Chapter 9
 • ‘Different Lands, Different Lives’ helps to 
discover the beauty of diverse landforms  
by bringing special experiences from 
plains, deserts, coastal regions and 
mountains. It will enable students to 
realise how these landscapes in??uence 
the way people in these areas live, from 
their food and clothing to their houses 
and festivals. Students will be able to 
explore the unique plants and animals 
of these regions, and connect with 
their local surroundings and deepen 
their understanding of socio-cultural 
relationship with nature.  
Chapter 10
 • ‘Our Sky’ sparks curiosity about the 
wonders of the sky and the celestial 
objects like the Sun, the Moon and the 
stars. Through observation and activities, 
children will be able to explore, and 
appreciate the related cultural practices 
and festivals. They will also observe 
the shadows formed at different times 
of the day and derive the cause of their 
changing lengths.
Chapter 9.indd   129 Chapter 9.indd   129 27-03-2025   14:59:23 27-03-2025   14:59:23
Reprint 2026-27
Back to School from Holidays
The classroom was filled with excitement as children 
talked amongst themselves about their holidays. 
The desks were filled with colourful pictures and 
items from the places the children had visited. The 
teacher asked them to share their experiences.
Chandni talked about her visit to a beach in 
Odisha. Ritika described her experiences in the desert 
of Rajasthan, while Gurpreet told stories about a 
visit to his grandparents’ house in Amritsar, Punjab. 
Finally, Nayan read out from his diary describing 
his visit to the majestic mountains of Sikkim. 
Different Lands, Different Lands, 
Different Lives Different Lives
9
Chapter 9.indd   130 Chapter 9.indd   130 27-03-2025   14:59:25 27-03-2025   14:59:25
Reprint 2026-27
131 Di??erent Lands, Di??erent Lives
Note to the Teacher
Encourage students who stayed at home during vacation to 
participate in the discussion. Ask them to share their experiences 
about the places near their house, and to mention their local 
culture, food, activities, etc. 
You might have visited some places during your vacation. 
Write the name of the places and something special about 
them. Ask two or three of your friends about the places they 
had visited, and ??ll the table given below. 
Name 
of the 
friend
Name of the 
place
Types of regions 
(mountains, plains, coastal 
region, desert, etc.)
Something 
special 
about the 
place
Friend 1 Mountain Pine trees
Friend 2
Friend 3
Friend 4
Your 
Name
• Which type of place do you ??nd interesting?
• What similarities and differences do you ??nd in the 
place you visited, and those visited by your friends?
1
Chapter 9.indd   131 Chapter 9.indd   131 27-03-2025   14:59:26 27-03-2025   14:59:26
Reprint 2026-27
132 Our Wondrous World
In the Land of Agriculture, with Gurpreet
Look at the picture above and write your observations:
1. What kind of land do you see in the picture?
2. List the activities that people are engaged in.
3. Which animals do you see in the picture?
4. Do you notice anything unique about the clothing of 
the people?
Chapter 9.indd   132 Chapter 9.indd   132 27-03-2025   14:59:28 27-03-2025   14:59:28
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