Class 4 EVS NCERT Book Chapter 2 Exploring Our Neighbourhood

 Page 1


On Our Way Back Home
The classes got over and the school bell rang. 
Students talked with excitement about the wonderful 
books that their teachers showed them in the 
library. School buses and e-rickshaws were waiting 
at the gate. 
Navya saw her grandfather standing outside the 
school gate. She ran up to him, “Dada ji, let us take 
the market route today!”
They walked to the bus stop, where some people 
were already waiting for the bus. 
Exploring Our Exploring Our 
Neighbourhood Neighbourhood
2
Chapter 2.indd   17 Chapter 2.indd   17 30-03-2025   09:39:20 30-03-2025   09:39:20
Page 2


On Our Way Back Home
The classes got over and the school bell rang. 
Students talked with excitement about the wonderful 
books that their teachers showed them in the 
library. School buses and e-rickshaws were waiting 
at the gate. 
Navya saw her grandfather standing outside the 
school gate. She ran up to him, “Dada ji, let us take 
the market route today!”
They walked to the bus stop, where some people 
were already waiting for the bus. 
Exploring Our Exploring Our 
Neighbourhood Neighbourhood
2
Chapter 2.indd   17 Chapter 2.indd   17 30-03-2025   09:39:20 30-03-2025   09:39:20
18 Our Wondrous World
A bus stopped, the doors opened and everyone 
boarded the bus one by one. Navya found a seat by 
the window and watched the people outside.
As the bus passed a red postbox on the corner, 
Navya pointed to it and said, “Look, a postbox, 
Dada ji!”
Dada ji said, 
“Yes, Navya. You 
could write a letter 
and post it here”. 
He continued, 
“When I was 
young, I used to 
write letters to my 
brother, who was 
studying in a different city. I used to drop letters 
into the postbox. Then, the postman would take 
them to the post office. The post office would sort 
letters according to regions and send them to their 
destinations. Post offices offer a variety of other 
services too”.
1
Note to the Teacher
Encourage students to write letters to each other in pairs or 
cyclically in groups of threes, so that all students both send and 
receive letters. The idea is that the students experience letter 
writing, and the joy of sending and receiving letters. Explain 
to the students about the importance of togetherness and 
communication.
1. Write a letter to a friend and post it.
2. Teacher can take students on a field trip to a post office, 
to explore various activities that take place there. 
Chapter 2.indd   18 Chapter 2.indd   18 30-03-2025   09:39:22 30-03-2025   09:39:22
Page 3


On Our Way Back Home
The classes got over and the school bell rang. 
Students talked with excitement about the wonderful 
books that their teachers showed them in the 
library. School buses and e-rickshaws were waiting 
at the gate. 
Navya saw her grandfather standing outside the 
school gate. She ran up to him, “Dada ji, let us take 
the market route today!”
They walked to the bus stop, where some people 
were already waiting for the bus. 
Exploring Our Exploring Our 
Neighbourhood Neighbourhood
2
Chapter 2.indd   17 Chapter 2.indd   17 30-03-2025   09:39:20 30-03-2025   09:39:20
18 Our Wondrous World
A bus stopped, the doors opened and everyone 
boarded the bus one by one. Navya found a seat by 
the window and watched the people outside.
As the bus passed a red postbox on the corner, 
Navya pointed to it and said, “Look, a postbox, 
Dada ji!”
Dada ji said, 
“Yes, Navya. You 
could write a letter 
and post it here”. 
He continued, 
“When I was 
young, I used to 
write letters to my 
brother, who was 
studying in a different city. I used to drop letters 
into the postbox. Then, the postman would take 
them to the post office. The post office would sort 
letters according to regions and send them to their 
destinations. Post offices offer a variety of other 
services too”.
1
Note to the Teacher
Encourage students to write letters to each other in pairs or 
cyclically in groups of threes, so that all students both send and 
receive letters. The idea is that the students experience letter 
writing, and the joy of sending and receiving letters. Explain 
to the students about the importance of togetherness and 
communication.
1. Write a letter to a friend and post it.
2. Teacher can take students on a field trip to a post office, 
to explore various activities that take place there. 
Chapter 2.indd   18 Chapter 2.indd   18 30-03-2025   09:39:22 30-03-2025   09:39:22
19 Exploring Our Neighbourhood
1. Have you or your family members ever sent, or received 
a letter or a parcel? 
2. How does the post office help people stay connected 
with each other? 
Long ago, people communicated 
using drumbeats and carvings on 
rocks.
Do you know?
Later, people started 
sending letters carried by 
messengers and pigeons.
Today, we have mobile phones, 
and computers that use internet. 
The internet helps us connect with 
anyone and anywhere, in seconds!
With time, new inventions like the 
telephone, radio and television 
made it easier to communicate, 
and share information.
Much later, the postal service came 
into being. It was used to send letters, 
parcels and important documents to 
others.
Chapter 2.indd   19 Chapter 2.indd   19 30-03-2025   09:39:24 30-03-2025   09:39:24
Page 4


On Our Way Back Home
The classes got over and the school bell rang. 
Students talked with excitement about the wonderful 
books that their teachers showed them in the 
library. School buses and e-rickshaws were waiting 
at the gate. 
Navya saw her grandfather standing outside the 
school gate. She ran up to him, “Dada ji, let us take 
the market route today!”
They walked to the bus stop, where some people 
were already waiting for the bus. 
Exploring Our Exploring Our 
Neighbourhood Neighbourhood
2
Chapter 2.indd   17 Chapter 2.indd   17 30-03-2025   09:39:20 30-03-2025   09:39:20
18 Our Wondrous World
A bus stopped, the doors opened and everyone 
boarded the bus one by one. Navya found a seat by 
the window and watched the people outside.
As the bus passed a red postbox on the corner, 
Navya pointed to it and said, “Look, a postbox, 
Dada ji!”
Dada ji said, 
“Yes, Navya. You 
could write a letter 
and post it here”. 
He continued, 
“When I was 
young, I used to 
write letters to my 
brother, who was 
studying in a different city. I used to drop letters 
into the postbox. Then, the postman would take 
them to the post office. The post office would sort 
letters according to regions and send them to their 
destinations. Post offices offer a variety of other 
services too”.
1
Note to the Teacher
Encourage students to write letters to each other in pairs or 
cyclically in groups of threes, so that all students both send and 
receive letters. The idea is that the students experience letter 
writing, and the joy of sending and receiving letters. Explain 
to the students about the importance of togetherness and 
communication.
1. Write a letter to a friend and post it.
2. Teacher can take students on a field trip to a post office, 
to explore various activities that take place there. 
Chapter 2.indd   18 Chapter 2.indd   18 30-03-2025   09:39:22 30-03-2025   09:39:22
19 Exploring Our Neighbourhood
1. Have you or your family members ever sent, or received 
a letter or a parcel? 
2. How does the post office help people stay connected 
with each other? 
Long ago, people communicated 
using drumbeats and carvings on 
rocks.
Do you know?
Later, people started 
sending letters carried by 
messengers and pigeons.
Today, we have mobile phones, 
and computers that use internet. 
The internet helps us connect with 
anyone and anywhere, in seconds!
With time, new inventions like the 
telephone, radio and television 
made it easier to communicate, 
and share information.
Much later, the postal service came 
into being. It was used to send letters, 
parcels and important documents to 
others.
Chapter 2.indd   19 Chapter 2.indd   19 30-03-2025   09:39:24 30-03-2025   09:39:24
20 Our Wondrous World
“Did you not have mobile phones?” Navya asked. 
Dada ji laughed, “No Navya. Earlier, we used to write 
letters. Sometimes, it would take weeks to get a 
reply”. “That is a really long time!” Navya exclaimed. 
Dada ji replied, “Yes, with mobile phones and emails, 
communication is much faster. However, sometimes 
I miss the joy of writing and receiving a handwritten 
letter.”
2
Interview with Elders
1. Discuss with the elders in your neighbourhood and 
find out how they communicated with each other when 
they were of your age. Compare their answers to how 
you and your friends communicate today; and fill in the 
table below:
Category
Communication 
in earlier times
Communication 
in present time
Type of 
communication
Letter, telegram
Internet, social 
media, text 
message
Speed of 
communication
Frequency of 
communication 
Language of 
communication
Challenges faced
Chapter 2.indd   20 Chapter 2.indd   20 30-03-2025   09:39:24 30-03-2025   09:39:24
Page 5


On Our Way Back Home
The classes got over and the school bell rang. 
Students talked with excitement about the wonderful 
books that their teachers showed them in the 
library. School buses and e-rickshaws were waiting 
at the gate. 
Navya saw her grandfather standing outside the 
school gate. She ran up to him, “Dada ji, let us take 
the market route today!”
They walked to the bus stop, where some people 
were already waiting for the bus. 
Exploring Our Exploring Our 
Neighbourhood Neighbourhood
2
Chapter 2.indd   17 Chapter 2.indd   17 30-03-2025   09:39:20 30-03-2025   09:39:20
18 Our Wondrous World
A bus stopped, the doors opened and everyone 
boarded the bus one by one. Navya found a seat by 
the window and watched the people outside.
As the bus passed a red postbox on the corner, 
Navya pointed to it and said, “Look, a postbox, 
Dada ji!”
Dada ji said, 
“Yes, Navya. You 
could write a letter 
and post it here”. 
He continued, 
“When I was 
young, I used to 
write letters to my 
brother, who was 
studying in a different city. I used to drop letters 
into the postbox. Then, the postman would take 
them to the post office. The post office would sort 
letters according to regions and send them to their 
destinations. Post offices offer a variety of other 
services too”.
1
Note to the Teacher
Encourage students to write letters to each other in pairs or 
cyclically in groups of threes, so that all students both send and 
receive letters. The idea is that the students experience letter 
writing, and the joy of sending and receiving letters. Explain 
to the students about the importance of togetherness and 
communication.
1. Write a letter to a friend and post it.
2. Teacher can take students on a field trip to a post office, 
to explore various activities that take place there. 
Chapter 2.indd   18 Chapter 2.indd   18 30-03-2025   09:39:22 30-03-2025   09:39:22
19 Exploring Our Neighbourhood
1. Have you or your family members ever sent, or received 
a letter or a parcel? 
2. How does the post office help people stay connected 
with each other? 
Long ago, people communicated 
using drumbeats and carvings on 
rocks.
Do you know?
Later, people started 
sending letters carried by 
messengers and pigeons.
Today, we have mobile phones, 
and computers that use internet. 
The internet helps us connect with 
anyone and anywhere, in seconds!
With time, new inventions like the 
telephone, radio and television 
made it easier to communicate, 
and share information.
Much later, the postal service came 
into being. It was used to send letters, 
parcels and important documents to 
others.
Chapter 2.indd   19 Chapter 2.indd   19 30-03-2025   09:39:24 30-03-2025   09:39:24
20 Our Wondrous World
“Did you not have mobile phones?” Navya asked. 
Dada ji laughed, “No Navya. Earlier, we used to write 
letters. Sometimes, it would take weeks to get a 
reply”. “That is a really long time!” Navya exclaimed. 
Dada ji replied, “Yes, with mobile phones and emails, 
communication is much faster. However, sometimes 
I miss the joy of writing and receiving a handwritten 
letter.”
2
Interview with Elders
1. Discuss with the elders in your neighbourhood and 
find out how they communicated with each other when 
they were of your age. Compare their answers to how 
you and your friends communicate today; and fill in the 
table below:
Category
Communication 
in earlier times
Communication 
in present time
Type of 
communication
Letter, telegram
Internet, social 
media, text 
message
Speed of 
communication
Frequency of 
communication 
Language of 
communication
Challenges faced
Chapter 2.indd   20 Chapter 2.indd   20 30-03-2025   09:39:24 30-03-2025   09:39:24
21 Exploring Our Neighbourhood
Over time, the ways in which people communicate 
have evolved. While letters were common in the 
past, today messages and video calls make 
communication much faster. Technology has made 
it easier for us to stay connected with everyone.
1. Letters took a long time to reach other 
persons. How do you think it affected 
communication between people in the 
past?
2. How is it different from the way people communicate 
now?
3. Today quick messages make sharing the news easier, 
but sometimes wrong information spreads very quickly 
too. How can we ensure the news we share is true? 
The bus took a turn and 
Navya saw a metro  train 
passing by. “Look at that! 
The train is moving so 
fast”, she exclaimed.
“Navya, the metro trains 
travel very fast. Also, there 
are high roads known 
as  flyovers. They help 
vehicles move above the 
busy roads and crossings. 
So, they save the time of 
travellers”.
Note to the Teacher
Encourage students who have travelled by a metro train to share 
their experiences, describing what they saw, how they got the 
tickets and what they found interesting. 
Chapter 2.indd   21 Chapter 2.indd   21 30-03-2025   09:39:24 30-03-2025   09:39:24