Good morning, my dear students! Welcome to today's English lesson. I am so happy to see all of you here, ready to learn something new and wonderful. Today, we are going to study a very interesting and important chapter called "Sports and Wellness" from your NCERT textbook. This chapter has three beautiful parts - a story that will touch your heart, a lovely poem about childhood games, and an informative passage about yoga. So let's begin our journey together!
First, let me tell you something about this chapter. In today's world, staying healthy is very important, and this chapter teaches us how sports and yoga can help us stay fit, both physically and mentally. The chapter also teaches us about good behavior - like being a good sportsperson, using polite words, and understanding the true spirit of playing games. So this is not just about English, it's about life lessons too!
Now, let's start with our first section - the story titled "Change of Heart". This is a beautiful story about a boy named Prabhat who learns an important lesson about winning and losing. So students, let's understand this story together.
---
## PART ONE: CHANGE OF HEART
### Before We Read
Now, before we read the story, let me ask you some questions. I want you to think about your answers as I ask them.
Question number one: Which games or sports do you play? Think about this for a moment. Maybe you play cricket with your friends in the evening, or maybe you play badminton, or perhaps you like playing hide and seek. Whatever it is, keep that in mind.
Question number two: Which games or sports do you play for fun? And which ones do you play for competition? This is an important distinction, my dear students. When we play just for fun, we don't worry about winning or losing. But when we play for competition, we really want to win, don't we?
Question number three: How do you feel when you win or lose? This is a very personal question. Some of you might feel very happy when you win, and maybe a little sad when you lose. That's completely normal. But the important thing is - how do we handle these feelings? That's what today's story is about.
Now, let's look at some vocabulary words before we read the story. These words will help you understand the story better.
First word: friendly matches - these are matches played without the pressure of winning a trophy, just for practice and fun.
Second word: opponent - this means someone who you compete with, your rival in the game.
Third word: tally of marks - this is the record of points in a game or match, like the score.
Fourth word: sporting spirit - this means being fair and respecting each player in a game, whether you win or lose.
Now let's read the story!
---
### The Story: Change of Heart
Let me tell you about Prabhat. Prabhat was a student in Grade 6, just like many of you. Now, Prabhat always wanted to win. His parents, teachers, and friends said that he did not know how to accept defeat. The fact was that he could not bear losing, not even at marbles. He felt so good when he won that he never wanted to give up that feeling. On the contrary, losing made him feel terrible. He thought that losing was the worst thing that could happen to anyone.
Now students, let me explain what some of these words mean. Defeat means loss - when you don't win. On the contrary means just the opposite - so when we say "on the contrary," we mean the opposite of what was said before. Terrible means very unhappy or awful. So Prabhat felt so unhappy when he lost that he thought it was the worst thing in the world.
Can you imagine feeling like that? Let's continue.
If Prabhat sensed that he would lose a game, he would not play it. He would take part only when he was sure of winning, even if the game lasted only for a minute. You could not stop him from playing the kind of games he was really good at, like badminton.
Now students, the word "sensed" means he had known or felt. So Prabhat would only play if he was absolutely sure he would win. He wouldn't even try if he thought he might lose. This is not a healthy way to approach games, as we will learn later.
A new student joined Prabhat's school, and his name was Surya. Surya was an excellent badminton player. Prabhat waited for the last Friday of the month. Last Friday was significant. This was when the coach conducted friendly matches in the games period. The teams were decided on Monday and it was no surprise when Prabhat and Surya were chosen to play a round against each other.
Now, significant means important. Conducted means organized. So the last Friday of each month was important because that's when the coach organized friendly matches. These were not serious competitions, just fun matches for practice.
Prabhat was given the responsibility of keeping score for their match. On one hand, Prabhat prepared for the match with great seriousness. Surya, on the other hand, seemed relaxed, not taking the things seriously at all. He walked about the whole time, smiling and cracking jokes about all sorts of things.
Now students, can you see the difference between these two boys? Prabhat was very serious - he wanted to win at any cost. But Surya was relaxed and just having fun. He was cracking jokes and enjoying himself. This is a very important difference that we need to remember.
But on Friday, at the badminton court, Surya was a real phenomenon. He won points again and again, laughing and joking all the time. However, Surya was paying so little attention to the match that Prabhat managed to change the scoreboard while his opponent was looking elsewhere.
Now students, the word "phenomenon" here means someone who has special qualities - in this case, Surya was an amazing player. And "opponent" means the person you are playing against - so Surya was Prabhat's opponent.
Now here's where the story takes a sad turn. Prabhat cheated! He changed the scoreboard while Surya was looking elsewhere. He managed to win by cheating. He made a big thing of his win, but it did not matter to Surya.
"It's been fun. We should play again some other time," said Surya.
Can you believe that? Surya didn't even realize he had been cheated! He was just happy to play and have fun. He didn't care about winning or losing. This shows us the kind of person Surya was.
---
### Let Us Discuss
Now let's answer some questions about this part of the story.
Question 1: State whether the following is True or False. Prabhat would accept losing to anyone easily.
The answer is False, students. Prabhat could not accept losing at all. He would not even play if he thought he might lose. He was very bad at handling defeat.
Question 2: What was special about the last Friday of each month?
The last Friday of each month was significant because that's when the coach conducted friendly matches in the games period. These were fun matches where students could play against each other.
Question 3: Who was responsible for maintaining the score for the match?
Prabhat was responsible for keeping the score. He was the scorekeeper for the match between himself and Surya.
Question 4: Do you think Prabhat wished to play another match with Surya? Why do you think so?
This is an interesting question. At this point in the story, Prabhat had just won by cheating. He might have wanted to play again because he wanted to prove he could win fairly, or he might have been worried that Surya would find out the truth. But actually, students, we need to read more to find out what happens next.
---
### Part Two of the Story
On that day, everyone was discussing their game and how Prabhat had played so well. Surprisingly, Prabhat could not sleep well that night. He had won the game but he did not feel as happy as he usually did. What was surprising was that Surya did not feel bad about losing. What was more surprising was that Prabhat saw Surya playing basketball the next day.
Now students, isn't this interesting? Prabhat won, but he couldn't sleep well. He didn't feel happy. But Surya lost, and he was perfectly fine! He was even playing basketball the next day, having fun.
Surya was so hopeless at it that he could not score a basket for ten minutes. Yet, he enjoyed playing the game. His happy smile never left his face.
Now students, the word "hopeless" here doesn't mean without hope. It means Surya was not good at basketball at all. He couldn't score even once in ten minutes! But still, he was enjoying himself. This is the key lesson of the story - it's not about winning, it's about enjoying the game.
Prabhat kept a close watch on Surya for some days. He was great at some things, terrible at others but what was common was the enjoyment. He enjoyed everything equally.
As Prabhat went on with his observation, he realised that to enjoy a game, you did not need a scoreboard to keep a tally of your scores. Neither did you have to worry about winning nor losing. You needed to enjoy the game for its own sake. What matters is trying to do well, and enjoying every moment of it.
Now students, this is the heart of the story! Prabhat finally understood that you don't need a scoreboard to enjoy a game. You don't need to worry about winning or losing. What matters is trying your best and enjoying each moment of the game.
Prabhat learnt something through the observations every day, soon realising the change in himself. He had even begun playing hide and seek, and felt sad whenever it was about to end. He also started joking while playing badminton. Soon, the other students started talking amongst themselves, "Good fun playing with Prabhat, that fellow definitely has a great sporting spirit."
And that's how the story ends, students. Prabhat changed his heart. He learned that the most important thing is not winning, but playing fairly and enjoying the game. This is what we call "sporting spirit" - being fair and respecting each player in a game.
---
### Let Us Discuss - Questions About Part Two
Question 1: How did Surya feel about playing?
Surya felt happy and enjoyed playing any game, whether he was good at it or not. He didn't care about winning or losing. He just enjoyed the process of playing.
Question 2: What was it about Surya that Prabhat observed?
Prabhat observed that Surya enjoyed every game equally, whether he was good at it or not. Surya was great at some things and terrible at others, but he enjoyed everything the same. He didn't worry about the score or the result.
---
### Let Us Think and Reflect
Now let's work on some more questions to understand the story better.
Question 1: Read the lines given below and answer the questions.
The first set of lines: "If Prabhat sensed that he would lose a game, he would not play it. He would take part only when he was sure of winning, even if the game lasted only for a minute. You could not stop him from playing the kind of games he was really good at, like badminton."
Now, question (i): Complete the sentence suitably. Prabhat would play a game only if _______________.
The answer is: Prabhat would play a game only if he was sure of winning.
Question (ii): Which game was Prabhat good at playing?
The answer is: Badminton.
Question (iii): Select the most suitable option to complete the sentence. This behaviour of Prabhat tells us that he was ___________.
The options are: A. good at the game, B. sure to win, C. afraid of losing
The correct answer is C. afraid of losing. Students, this is very important. Prabhat's behavior shows he was afraid of losing. He would only play when he was sure to win. That's not a healthy attitude toward games.
Now question 2: Read the lines given below and answer the questions.
"Surprisingly, Prabhat could not sleep well that night. He had won the game but he did not feel as happy as he usually did. What was surprising was that Surya did not feel bad about losing. What was more surprising was that Prabhat saw Surya playing basketball the next day."
Question (i): Select the one option that tells us about the way Prabhat was feeling that night.
The options are: A. hurt, B. unhappy, C. afraid, D. focused
The answer is B. unhappy. Students, Prabhat was unhappy even though he had won. This is because he knew he had cheated, and he also saw how Surya reacted to losing - Surya was perfectly fine! This made Prabhat feel uneasy and unhappy.
Question (ii): Why does Prabhat find Surya's behaviour 'surprising'?
The answer is: Prabhat finds Surya's behavior surprising because Surya lost the match but didn't feel bad about it. Surya was even playing basketball the next day and enjoying himself, even though he was not good at it. This was very surprising to Prabhat because he himself could not bear losing.
Question (iii): Fill in the blank by choosing the most suitable option given in the bracket.
We can say that Surya's reaction to not winning was _______________ (similar to/as serious as/different from) Prabhat's.
The answer is: different from. Surya's reaction was completely different from Prabhat's. While Prabhat couldn't even sleep when he lost, Surya was perfectly happy and continued playing other games.
---
### Answer the Following Questions
Now let's answer the main questions at the end of the story.
Question 1: How did Prabhat's attitude towards winning and losing affect his enjoyment of games in the beginning?
In the beginning, Prabhat's attitude towards winning and losing affected his enjoyment negatively. He could only enjoy games when he won. When he lost, he felt terrible. He would not even play if he thought he might lose. This meant he was missing out on the fun of playing games. He was so focused on winning that he couldn't enjoy the game itself.
Question 2: Why do you think Prabhat cheated in the beginning to win the badminton match against Surya?
I think Prabhat cheated because he was so desperate to win that he was willing to do anything. He couldn't bear the thought of losing, especially to a new student. He was afraid that Surya would beat him, so he resorted to cheating by changing the scoreboard. This shows us how Prabhat's fear of losing had made him do something wrong.
Question 3: How did Surya's attitude differ from Prabhat's?
Surya's attitude was completely different from Prabhat's. Surya played for fun, not to win. He was relaxed and happy whether he won or lost. He enjoyed playing even when he was not good at it, like basketball where he couldn't score for ten minutes. Surya had a great sporting spirit - he was fair, respected his opponent, and most importantly, he enjoyed the game for its own sake.
Question 4: Do you think Prabhat's approach to games was healthy? Why or why not?
No, Prabhat's approach was not healthy at all. First, he would only play games he was good at and when he was sure of winning. This meant he was avoiding challenges and not learning new things. Second, he cheated to win, which is completely wrong. Third, he was so worried about winning that he couldn't enjoy playing. This kind of attitude can lead to stress and unhappiness. Games should be fun and help us stay healthy, both physically and mentally.
Question 5: Why do you think sporting spirit is important?
Sporting spirit is very important for several reasons. First, it teaches us to be fair and honest. Second, it helps us respect our opponents, whether we win or lose. Third, it allows us to enjoy the game rather than just focusing on the result. Fourth, it helps us handle both success and failure gracefully. When we have sporting spirit, we become better human beings, not just better players. It also makes playing games more enjoyable for everyone involved.
Question 6: Explain how the title of the story, 'Change of Heart', is suitable.
The title 'Change of Heart' is very suitable for this story because it describes exactly what happened to Prabhat. At the beginning of the story, Prabhat was obsessed with winning and couldn't handle losing. He even cheated to win. But by watching Surya and seeing how he enjoyed games regardless of winning or losing, Prabhat had a change of heart. He realized that enjoying the game is more important than winning. He started playing for fun, joking with other players, and feeling sad when games ended because he was enjoying them so much. His heart changed from being a sore loser to someone with a great sporting spirit.
---
### Let Us Learn - Vocabulary and Grammar
Now let's move on to some language activities.
#### Activity 1: Making Words Using Consecutive Letters
We need to make as many words as possible using consecutive letters, without changing the order of the letters, from the words in the boxes.
For the first word BADMINTON, we have been given the example: BAD, ADMIN, MINT, IN, TON, ON.
Now let's do the second word: PHENOMENON
Let's look at the letters: P H E N O M E N O N
We can make these words: - PHENOMENON (the whole word) - PHENOMENON itself is the word - But let's find smaller words: ONE, MEN, ON, PEN, HEN, NOT, TON, THEN, PHONE, etc.
Actually, students, we need to use consecutive letters in order. Let me think more carefully.
From PHENOMENON: - ONE (O-N-E) - MEN (M-E-N) - ON (O-N) - PEN (P-E-N) - wait, that's not consecutive in the original word - HEN (H-E-N) - NOT (N-O-T) - wait, T is not in the word
Let me list them properly: - PHENOMENON (the whole word) - ONE (O-N-E) - MEN (M-E-N) - ON (O-N) - HEN (H-E-N) - PEN (P-E-N) - yes, P is at position 1, E is at position 2, N is at position 4 - wait, that's not consecutive
Actually, let me be more careful. We need consecutive letters from the word. Let me check again:
P-H-E-N-O-M-E-N-O-N
- ONE: O is at position 5, N is at position 6, E is position 7 - wait, that's O-N-E but the letters are O, N, E. In the word, after O at position 5, we have M at position 6, not N. So this doesn't work.
Let me think differently. We need to find sequences: - PHENOMENON: P-H-E-N-O-M-E-N-O-N - ONE: O-N-E - O is at position 5, N is at position 6, E is at position 7 - yes! This works! - MEN: M-E-N - M is at position 6, E is at position 7, N is at position 8 - yes! - ON: O-N - O is at position 5, N is at position 6 - yes! - HEN: H-E-N - H is at position 2, E is at position 3, N is at position 4 - yes! - PEN: P-E-N - P is at position 1, E is at position 3, N is at position 4 - not consecutive
So from PHENOMENON, we can make: ONE, MEN, ON, HEN, PHONE (P-H-O-N-E - but wait, H is at position 2, O is at position 5 - not consecutive).
Actually, let's list them properly: - ONE (from O-N-E) - MEN (from M-E-N) - ON (from O-N) - HEN (from H-E-N) - PHONE (P-H-O-N-E - no, not consecutive)
Let me list clearly: - ONE - MEN - ON - HEN - THEN (T-H-E-N - T is not in the word)
I think the main words are: ONE, MEN, ON, HEN
Now for BASKETBALL: B-A-S-K-E-T-B-A-L-L
Let's find words: - BALL (B-A-L-L) - ALL (A-L-L) - ASK (A-S-K) - SET (S-E-T) - TALL (T-A-L-L) - BASKET (B-A-S-K-E-T) - BASK (B-A-S-K) - TALE (T-A-L-E) - BASE (B-A-S-E) - EAT (E-A-T) - TEA (T-E-A) - BET (B-E-T) - BAT (B-A-T) - TAB (T-A-B) - SAT (S-A-T) - ATS (A-T-S)
Actually, we need consecutive letters: - BASKET: B-A-S-K-E-T - yes! - BALL: B-A-L-L - yes! - ALL: A-L-L - yes! - ASK: A-S-K - yes! - SET: S-E-T - yes! - TALL: T-A-L-L - yes! - BASE: B-A-S-E - yes! - BASK: B-A-S-K - yes!
So the words are: BASKET, BALL, ALL, ASK, SET, TALL, BASE, BASK
---
#### Activity 2: Circle the Verbs
Now let's look at verbs in sentences.
Sentence 1: Everyone was discussing their game and how Prabhat had played so well.
The verbs here are: was discussing, had played
Circle these: was discussing, had played
Sentence 2: He had won the game but he did not feel as happy as he usually did.
The verbs here are: had won, did feel, did
Circle these: had won, did feel, did
Sentence 3: What was more surprising that Surya had not felt bad about losing.
Wait, there's a mistake in the sentence - it should be "that" not "that". The verbs here are: was, had felt
Circle these: was, had felt
---
#### Activity 3: First Action and Second Action
Now we need to arrange the circled verbs as first action (old action) or second action (new action).
The first action or old action is called Past Perfect. The second action or new action is called Past Continuous or Simple Past.
From the sentences we just did:
Sentence 1: Everyone was discussing their game and how Prabhat had played so well.
Here, "had played" is the first action (old action) - it happened before the other action. "was discussing" is the second action (new action) - it was happening when the other action had already happened.
So in the table: S. No. 1: First Action (OLD): had played, Second Action (NEW): was discussing
Sentence 2: He had won the game but he did not feel as happy as he usually did.
Here, "had won" is the first action (old action) - winning happened before the feeling. "did feel" is the second action (new action).
So: S. No. 2: First Action (OLD): had won, Second Action (NEW): did feel
Sentence 3: What was more surprising that Surya had not felt bad about losing.
Here, "had felt" is the first action (old action). "was" is the second action (new action).
So: S. No. 3: First Action (OLD): had felt, Second Action (NEW): was
---
#### Activity 4: Fill in the blanks with Past Perfect form
Now let's fill in the blanks with the past perfect form of the verbs given in brackets.
Question 1: Prabhat _______ already _______ his homework before going to the badminton match. (finish)
The answer is: had already finished
Question 2: Surya _______ basketball for years before joining the school's badminton team. (play)
The answer is: had played
Question 3: By the time Prabhat arrived, Surya _______ already _______ several matches. (win)
The answer is: had already won
Question 4: The new student, Surya, _______ Prabhat before coming to the school. (never meet)
The answer is: had never met
Question 5: Before the games period, Prabhat _______ badminton extensively. (practise)
The answer is: had practised
---
### Let Us Listen - Announcement Activity
Now let's do the listening activities. In the actual class, you would listen to an audio, but I'll give you the transcript and help you answer the questions.
From the transcript:
"Good morning, everyone. I know you all are excited about the Friday, friendly matches. This Friday we shall have three matches—one for chess, the next for kho-kho and finally one for badminton. I have put up the kho-kho teams' name list on the sports' notice board. Since this is a team game, your class VI-B shall be playing against the VI-D kho-kho team. The kho-kho match refreshments are being sponsored by Xydium Sports Club. Let me clarify, the spelling is X-Y-D-I-U-M, Xydium.
Now the places for the matches—the first one is chess. It'll take place in the 1st floor activity room with Vani as the scorekeeper. Kho-kho will be played in the sport's ground where I myself will be the referee. For badminton, we have chosen the multipurpose hall on the ground floor hall. The net will be put up there.
For the chess match, it has been decided that this match shall be played between Sarita and Nupur. Two matches will be played during the regular games period on Friday but kho-kho will be played in the 2nd and 3rd period. Remember the kho-kho team names are up on the Sports' Notice Board.
Good luck!"
Now let's answer the questions:
Question I: You will listen to an announcement. As you listen, circle the pair that was chosen to play chess.
From the transcript: "For the chess match, it has been decided that this match shall be played between Sarita and Nupur."
So the answer is: Sarita - Nupur
Question II: Fill in the notes with important details.
Question 1: How many Friday matches will be played?
Answer: Three matches (one for chess, one for kho-kho, and one for badminton)
Question 2: What was put up on the sports' notice board?
Answer: The kho-kho teams' name list
Question 3: Who will sponsor the kho-kho team's refreshments?
Answer: Xydium Sports Club
Question 4: Who will be the scorekeeper for chess?
Answer: Vani
Question 5: Who will be the referee for kho-kho?
Answer: The coach (the person making the announcement)
Question 6: Which Friday periods are meant for kho-kho?
Answer: The 2nd and 3rd period
---
### Let Us Speak - Using Magic Words
Now let's practice using polite words - please, thank you, and sorry.
We have different situations:
Situation 1: You are Vani— You want to request your friends to take you in their team during games period.
You would say: "Could you please take me in your team?" or "Please can you include me in your team?"
Situation 2: You are Somiwon— You want to tell Hitesh to help you with the cleaning of the classroom cupboard.
You would say: "Please can you help me with cleaning the classroom cupboard?" or "Kindly help me with the cleaning, please."
Situation 3: You are Sumit— You accidently spilled water on Nupur's desk.
You would say: "I'm sorry, that was my fault. I accidentally spilled water on your desk." or "I'm very sorry for the way I behaved. I didn't mean to spill water."
Situation 4: You are Hitesh— You forgot to get Simran's Art file to school.
You would say: "I'm sorry, that was my fault. I forgot to bring your Art file." or "I apologise. I was out of line. I should have remembered your file."
Situation 5: You are Kriti— You spoke rudely to Nupur.
You would say: "I'm very sorry for the way I behaved. I didn't mean to be rude." or "I apologise. I was out of line."
Situation 6: You are Mohan— You wish to thank Hitesh for helping you practice for the Inter-House speech competition.
You would say: "Thank you. It means so much to me that you helped me practice." or "I truly appreciate your help with the speech competition. Thank you."
Situation 7: You are Meher— You are grateful that Simran helped you understand a chapter taught at school when you were absent.
You would say: "I wish to thank you from the bottom of my heart because you helped me understand the chapter when I was absent." or "Thank you so much for explaining the chapter to me."
Situation 8: You are Rima— You are thankful to Gita for helping you collect the notebooks from the staff-room.
You would say: "Thank you. It means so much to me that you helped me collect the notebooks." or "I truly appreciate your help with collecting the notebooks. Thank you."
---
### Let Us Write - Diary Entry
Now let's complete the diary entry that Prabhat wrote.
We have to fill in the blanks using the phrases given in the box:
| I won the match | I do not feel happy about it | | I will lose the match | I managed to change the scoreboard | | I felt very happy | Everyone congratulated me after my win | | Surya did not feel bad | He had fun playing with me |
Let's read the diary entry and fill in the blanks:
Saturday 17 August 20XX 8:00 p.m.
Today, I defeated Surya in a badminton match but 1. I do not feel happy about it. He was playing very well and was getting the points easily. I was sure that 2. I will lose the match. So, when everyone was laughing at a joke he cracked, 3. I managed to change the scoreboard. No one noticed the change and 4. Everyone congratulated me after my win. What surprised me the most was that he said 5. He had fun playing with me and we should play again. How could he be so relaxed after losing a match? He should have been sad if not crying over his loss!
Though 6. I won the match, I did not enjoy as I usually do. It really disturbed me that 7. Surya did not feel bad about losing the match. It is still bothering me. Is it because I changed the score? I do not understand myself.
Let me sleep now. I feel that it may make me feel better.
Goodnight!
---
### Let Us Explore - Indian Sportspersons
Now let's learn about some amazing Indian sportspersons!
#### Deepika Kumari
- She is an Archer from Jharkhand - Her father was an auto-rickshaw driver and her mother was a nurse - She practised archery while aiming for mangoes with stones - isn't that creative? - She used homemade bamboo bows and arrows - She joined the Tata Archery Academy - She won a gold medal in the 2010 Commonwealth Games
Students, isn't her story inspiring? She came from a simple background but worked hard to become a champion!
#### Neeraj Chopra
- He is a young athlete from Khandra village in Haryana - His family is largely involved in agriculture - He is the first Asian athlete to win an Olympic gold medal in javelin throw - He worked hard for several years to achieve his passion - He became the second Indian to win an individual gold medal in Olympics at the age of just 23 - He won a silver medal in javelin throw at the 2024 Paris Olympics
Students, Neeraj Chopra has made our entire nation proud! He showed that with dedication and hard work, anyone can achieve greatness.
---
Now let's move on to our second section - the poem "The Winner".
---
## PART TWO: THE WINNER
### Before We Read
Before we read the poem, let's look at the picture and answer some questions.
Looking at the picture: 1. What are these children doing? They are playing some game, running around. 2. Where do you think they are? They seem to be in an open field, maybe a playground or a field near their home. 3. What is the time of the day? It looks like evening time - the sky might be getting dark.
Now let's discuss some questions:
1. When do you go to play after school? You might say: "I go to play at 4 o'clock" or "I go to play after I finish my homework."
2. Who do you play with? You might play with your friends, siblings, or neighbors.
3. Where do you go to play in the evening? You might go to the park, the ground near your house, or your backyard.
4. Which games do you like playing? You might like cricket, football, badminton, hide and seek, or any other game.
5. When do you come back home? You might come back when it's dark or when your parents call you.
---
### The Poem: The Winner
Now let's read the beautiful poem by Georgia Heard:
> Evenings, > we play ball > next to the creek > in our neighbour's field. > > We run so fast > I > can't > even > catch > my > breath. > > When blue dark turns to black, > cold grass aches our feet, > trees creep close— > game's over. > Night wins!
Isn't that a beautiful poem, students? It describes the joy of playing in the evening with friends. Let me explain the difficult words.
---
### Let Us Discuss - Understanding the Poem
Let's understand the poem by matching the lines with their meanings.
Question 1: Lines from the poem: "next to the creek" - Clue: a small body of water
Meaning: A creek is a small body of water, like a small stream or river. So "next to the creek" means beside a small stream or river.
Question 2: Lines from the poem: "I can't even catch my breath" - Clue: the child has been running
Meaning: This means the child is so out of breath from running that they can't even breathe properly. They need to rest and catch their breath.
Question 3: Lines from the poem: "When blue dark turns to black" - Clue: the colour of the sky changes from blue to black. What does it mean?
Meaning: This means when evening turns into night. The sky changes from the blue of daytime to the black of night.
Question 4: Lines from the poem: "trees creep close" - Clue: it is evening time. Why do you think the trees seem close?
Meaning: At evening time, when it's getting dark, things seem closer and more mysterious. The trees seem to come closer because of the darkness and the child's imagination.
---
Now let's complete the summary of the poem:
The children play ball next to the creek in the neighbour's field. They run so fast that they run out of breath. They continue to play till the evening when the blue sky turns black, and the trees are not clearly visible. They can feel their feet aching, now that it is cold. Finally, they stop playing and go home as it is night.
Actually, let me correct this based on the poem:
The children play ball next to the creek in the neighbour's field. They run so fast that they run out of breath. They continue to play till the evening when the blue sky turns black, and the trees are not clearly visible. They can feel their feet aching, now that it is cold. Finally, they stop playing and go home as it is night. Actually, let me correct this based on the poem:
The children play ball next to the creek in the neighbour's field. They run so fast that they run out of breath. They continue to play till the evening when the blue sky turns black, and the trees are not clearly visible. They can feel their feet aching, now that it is cold. Finally, they stop playing and go home as it is night.
---
### Let Us Think and Reflect
Now let's answer some questions about the poem.
Question 1: Read the given lines and answer the questions.
> We run so fast > I > can't > even > catch > my > breath.
Question (i): Complete the sentence given below with the correct option. The speaker needs to catch her breath because _________________________.
Options: A. everyone decides to walk B. all the friends wish to go home C. running fast results in being breathless D. they need to do breathing exercises
The answer is C. running fast results in being breathless. The speaker has been running so fast that they are out of breath.
Question (ii): Is the speaker alone? Why do you say so?
No, the speaker is not alone. The poem says "we play ball" and "we run so fast." The word "we" shows that the speaker is playing with others - probably friends or siblings.
Question (iii): What does the pattern in the lines tell us?
The pattern - where each word is on a separate line - tells us that the speaker is really out of breath. Each word comes slowly, one by one, like each breath. It shows how exhausted the speaker is from running so fast.
Question 2: Read the given lines and answer the questions.
> When blue dark turns to black, > cold grass aches our feet, > trees creep close— > game's over. > Night wins!
Question (i): Give one reason why the grass is cold.
The grass is cold because it is evening time. As the sun sets, the temperature drops and the grass becomes cold.
Question (ii): Complete the sentence suitably. The children's feet are aching because___________.
The children's feet are aching because they have been running for a long time and the grass is cold.
Question (iii): Why does 'Night' win? Night wins because the ____________________.
Options: A. time for play has ended B. children are tired C. time to play at home begins D. night follows day
The answer is A. time for play has ended. When night comes, it's time to go home, so the game has to stop. Night "wins" because the darkness signals the end of playtime.
---
### Let Us Learn - Literary Devices
Now let's learn about some literary devices used in the poem.
First, let's look at the line: "I can't even catch my breath"
This tells us that the children are really out of breath. The pattern is used to highlight them being out of breath. The poet has written each word on a separate line to show how the speaker is struggling to breathe - each word comes out slowly, one after another, like breaths.
Another example given is: "The leaves are falling, falling, falling." - Here the repetition emphasizes the action.
Second, let's look at the line: "Night wins!"
The poet has used human qualities for inanimate things. Here, night has been shown as winning. This is called personification. Night is not a person, but the poet has given it human qualities - the ability to "win."
Another example: "The sun played hide-and-seek with the clouds." - The sun is playing, which is a human action.
Now let's do the word web about water bodies. We already know that a creek is a water body. What other water bodies can we think of?
Water bodies include: river, lake, sea, ocean, pond, stream, waterfall, canal, etc.
---
### Let Us Listen - Riddles
Now let's solve some riddles about sports!
Riddle 1: Run and pass, run and pass Kick a black and white ball Kick it straight into the goal Watch for mud—don't fall. What sport am I?
This is Football! You run and pass the ball, kick it into the goal, and need to watch for mud on the field.
Riddle 2: Hold your breath, say Hu-tu-tu, till you touch one or two. Take care to keep a distance wide As you run back to your team's side. Which sport am I?
This is Kabaddi! In kabaddi, you say "Hu-tu-tu" and try to touch opponents while holding your breath, then run back to your side.
Riddle 3: In the water, hold your breath, The water is very cool, Arms turn, legs kick In the blue pool. Which sport am I?
This is Swimming! You hold your breath underwater, move your arms and legs, and swim in a pool.
Riddle 4: Breathe in, breathe out! Practise every day just right, You will be healthy and fit Get energy and grow in might. What am I?
This is Yoga or breathing exercises! This talks about breathing in and out and staying healthy.
---
### Let Us Speak - Role Play
Now let's do some role play activities. We'll enact the roles of a parent and a child in different situations.
Situation 1: Coming home late after play. (Parent upset/Child explaining)
Parent: "Where have you been? It's so late!" Child: "I'm sorry, Mom/Dad. We were playing cricket and I lost track of time. It won't happen again."
Situation 2: Sharing details of the games you played. (Child excited/Parent asking details with interest)
Child: "Mom/Dad, today we played football and I scored two goals!" Parent: "That's wonderful! Who were you playing with? Tell me more about the game."
Situation 3: Bring a new friend home after playtime. (Child introducing/Parent welcoming)
Child: "Mom/Dad, this is my friend Rahul from school. We played together in the park." Parent: "Hello, Rahul! Welcome to our home. Would you like to stay for some water?"
---
### Let Us Write - Paragraph About Playtime
Now let's write a paragraph about your playtime using the clues given:
- What time do I go out to play? - Who do I play with? - What games do we play? - Which is my favourite game? - What do we gain from playing together? - When do we finish playing and go home?
Here's an example paragraph:
My Playtime
I usually go out to play at four o'clock in the evening after finishing my homework. I play with my friends from the neighborhood - Rahul, Amit, and Sameer. We play cricket, football, and sometimes hide and seek. My favourite game is cricket because it's so much fun to bat and score runs. Playing together teaches us teamwork and helps us make new friends. We usually finish playing and go home when it gets dark, around seven o'clock.
Now you can write your own paragraph following this pattern!
---
### Let Us Explore - Indigenous Games
There are many indigenous games in India. Kho-kho is an example of an indigenous game. Indigenous games are native to a region. Some other indigenous games from different parts of India include:
- Kabaddi (from Punjab, now played all over India) - Gilli-danda (from various parts of India) - Pitthu (also known as Seven Stones) - Lagori (seven stones) - Marbles (various regional names) - Hopscotch (various regional names)
You can learn the rules of one such game and play it with your classmates under the supervision of your teacher. This will help you understand our cultural heritage and have fun at the same time!
---
Now let's move on to our third section - "Yoga—A Way of Life".
---
## PART THREE: YOGA—A WAY OF LIFE
### Before We Read
Before we read about yoga, let's do some activities.
Question 1: What do you know about yoga? Discuss in pairs and share with the whole class.
Yoga is a practice that involves physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation. It helps in keeping the body and mind healthy.
Question 2: What is 21st June known for? What do we do on this day?
21st June is celebrated as International Yoga Day. On this day, people all over the world do yoga together to promote health and wellness.
Question 3: List as many words you know related to yoga. Share them with your classmates.
Some words related to yoga are: asana, pranayama, meditation, pose, stretch, breathe, relax, calm, peaceful, balance, flexibility, etc.
Question 4: Let's play Antakshari. The first word is 'yoga'. The next word must begin with the letter 'a'. This activity will go on and the whole class will participate.
For example: yoga → asana → namaste → tree pose → eagle pose → warrior pose → pranayama → yoga → and so on.
---
### The Passage: Yoga—A Way of Life
Now let's read the passage about yoga.
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual practice that originated in ancient India. The word 'Yoga' comes from the Sanskrit root 'yuj', which means 'to join' or 'to unite'. This symbolises the unity of mind and body; thought and action; harmony between human and nature. It is a holistic approach to health and well-being.
Now students, let me explain some words. Originated means started. So yoga started in ancient India, thousands of years ago. Harmony means balance - the balance between mind and body, and between humans and nature. Holistic means complete - yoga looks at the whole person, not just one part.
Sage Patanjali presented the ancient tradition of yoga in a systematic way in 'Yoga Sutras of Patanjali'. He described yoga as the means to make the mind quiet and free from all distractions.
Yoga has become increasingly popular around the world due to its many health benefits.
Now let's look at the benefits of yoga:
- Yoga postures (asanas) help to stretch and strengthen the muscles, increase flexibility, endurance and balance. This can improve overall physical fitness. This can also help to reduce body pains, such as lower back pain.
Students, asanas are the physical poses or postures in yoga. Endurance means the capacity to continue without giving up. So yoga helps us become stronger, more flexible, and able to do things for longer without getting tired.
- Yoga involves breathing techniques and meditation, which can help to calm the mind and reduce stress and anxiety. It relaxes the mind, improves the quality of sleep and increases concentration.
Anxiety means worry. So yoga helps reduce our worries and stress. It helps us sleep better and concentrate more.
- Yoga has been shown to boost the immune system. It can improve heart health by lowering blood pressure and improving circulation.
Boost means increase. So yoga helps increase our immunity and improves our heart health.
- Yoga can aid in weight loss by burning calories, and maintaining health.
Yoga promotes a sense of overall well-being. This is the reason why the benefits of practising yoga are internationally recognised. The World Health Organisation (WHO) on 20 June 2021, launched an App called WHO mYoga. The app contains a collection of videos and audio files to teach and support yoga practice. The aim was to have an easy-to-use and free tool for people across the world to encourage them to practise yoga.
We can start practising yoga at any given moment of time. We must remember that when we practise yoga asanas (postures), we do not just stretch the body. The mind has to be with the body. This is the reason why it should be practised without distractions. If each stretch is coordinated with the breath and awareness, our practice will become a yogic practise.
Now let's look at the Sanskrit shloka:
> हठस्य प्रथमाङ्गत्वादासनं पूर्वमुच्यते > कुर्यात्तदासनं स्थैर्यमारोग्यं चाङ्गलाघवम् ॥१॥ > > hathasya prathamāṅgatvādāsanaṃ pūrvamuchyate > kuryāttadāsanaṃ sthairyamārogyaṃ chāṅgalāghavam
This means: "Being the first accessory of Hatha-Yoga, asana is described first. It should be practiced for gaining steady posture, health and weightlessness of body."
This tells us that asana or posture is the first and most important part of yoga, and it helps us gain good health and a light, flexible body.
---
### Let Us Discuss - Fill in the Blanks
Now let's fill in the blanks using words from the box:
| sleep | lifestyle | health | strength | balance | stress | calm |
Yoga is a practise that not only improves physical flexibility but also improves mental 1. calm and leads to a healthier 2. lifestyle. It involves a series of asanas, which increase muscular 3. strength. Practising yoga also leads to a better body and mind 4. balance and reduces body pain such as the lower back. Moreover, the focus on breathing techniques and meditation makes the mind 5. calm, lessens 6. stress, and improves the quality of 7. sleep. This helps to adopt a more positive lifestyle.
---
### Let Us Think and Reflect
Now let's answer some questions about the passage.
Question 1: What is the aim of yoga?
The aim of yoga is to unite the mind and body, achieve harmony, and attain overall well-being. It helps in making the mind quiet and free from distractions, and promotes physical, mental, and spiritual health.
Question 2: Explain the idea of unity in yoga.
The idea of unity in yoga comes from the word 'Yoga' which means 'to join' or 'to unite'. This symbolizes the unity of mind and body, the harmony between thought and action, and the balance between human and nature. In yoga, we try to connect our physical body with our mind and breath, creating a sense of oneness and balance.
Question 3: What does the launch of the WHO mYoga app tell us about the importance of yoga?
The launch of the WHO mYoga app shows that yoga is recognized internationally as a beneficial practice for health and wellness. The World Health Organisation created this app to make yoga accessible to people all over the world, encouraging them to practice yoga for better health. It shows that yoga is not just an Indian practice but a global wellness movement.
Question 4: Describe one long-term effect that the practice of yoga can have on a person's qualities.
One long-term effect of yoga is improved mental clarity and emotional balance. Regular practice helps reduce stress and anxiety, improves concentration, and helps a person remain calm in difficult situations. It also builds patience, discipline, and self-awareness, which are important qualities for success in life.
---
### Let Us Learn - Practice vs Practise
Now let's learn about an important difference in English - practice vs practise.
Look at these sentences from the passage:
"The app (WHO mYoga) contains a collection of video and audio files to teach and support yoga practice. The aim was to have an easy-to-use and free tool for people across the world to encourage them to practise yoga."
The word 'practice' and 'practise' sound the same but have different spellings and usage.
The word 'practice' is a noun which means the actual application or exercise of a skill or knowledge. The word 'practise' is a verb which refers to the act of engaging in an activity repeatedly to improve or acquire a skill.
Now let's complete the sentences:
(i) It is important to have a regular practice of stretching every morning to stay flexible.
Here, practice is a noun - we need the noun form.
(ii) I practise Yoga every day to keep my mind and body healthy.
Here, practise is a verb - we need the verb form.
(iii) The teacher said, you can join the school hockey team but it requires a lot of practice to improve your skills.
Here, practice is a noun - we need the noun form.
(iv) Our athletics coach asked us to practise running on grass to strengthen our grip while running.
Here, practise is a verb - we need the verb form.
(v) I practise deep breathing exercises when I feel stressed to calm myself down.
Here, practise is a verb - we need the verb form.
(vi) Developing a good habit of eating fruits and vegetables should be a daily practice.
Here, practice is a noun - we need the noun form.
Now let's also look at advice vs advise:
Advice is a noun - for example: "She gave me good advice." Advise is a verb - for example: "I advise you to study regularly."
Example sentences with advice: 1. My teacher gave me advice on how to improve my writing. 2. Following her advice helped me score better marks.
Example sentences with advise: 1. I would advise you to practice yoga regularly. 2. The doctor advises patients to exercise daily.
---
### Let Us Listen - Yoga Conversation
Now let's do the listening activity about yoga. From the transcript:
"Namaste everyone!
I wish to share with you all that I do simple yoga exercises with my grandfather. He has been practising yoga since he was 16 years old. My grandfather is fit and strong even at the age of 65. I am sure that this is the result of many good habits. I know that eating a balanced diet regularly and making yoga a part of his life have been hundred per cent effective. When I accompany my grandfather to the park, I see so many people—young and old—doing yogic breathing exercises.
I like doing these exercises. Whenever I'm a little worried about an Inter-House competition, I always remember to do some of these exercises early morning that day. It relaxes me and makes me feel focused and calm. I plan on learning some asanas from my grandfather during the summer vacations.
Wish me luck!"
Now let's check which statements are true:
Statement 1: The girl sees people at the park doing breathing exercises. Answer: TRUE - "When I accompany my grandfather to the park, I see so many people—young and old—doing yogic breathing exercises."
Statement 2: Her grandfather began practising yoga sixteen years ago. Answer: TRUE - "He has been practising yoga since he was 16 years old."
Statement 3: The girl practises some easy yoga exercises with her grandfather. Answer: TRUE - "I do simple yoga exercises with my grandfather."
Statement 4: The girl practises breathing exercises to relax. Answer: TRUE - "I always remember to do some of these exercises early morning that day. It relaxes me..."
Statement 5: Her grandfather is fit even though he has untimely meals. Answer: FALSE - The transcript doesn't say anything about untimely meals. It says he eats a balanced diet regularly.
Statement 6: Her grandfather's regular yoga practise has kept him strong. Answer: TRUE - "My grandfather is fit and strong even at the age of 65. I am sure that this is the result of many good habits... making yoga a part of his life have been hundred per cent effective."
Statement 7: The girl wishes to learn asanas over the weekend. Answer: FALSE - She plans to learn asanas "during the summer vacations," not over the weekend.
---
### Let Us Speak - Sharing Yoga Thoughts
Now let's practice speaking about yoga. If you have tried yoga, you can say:
- I practise yoga because it helps me stay calm and healthy. - My favourite thing about yoga is the breathing exercises because they help me relax. - I feel relaxed after a yoga session because it clears my mind. - The one thing in yoga that I want to practise is the tree pose because it improves my balance.
If you have not tried yoga yet, you can say:
- I wish to practise yoga because I have heard it is very good for health. - I hope that once I begin practising yoga, I will feel more relaxed and focused. - The kind of exercise I want to try in yoga is meditation because I want to calm my mind. - I am interested in learning different asanas because they look challenging and fun.
---
### Let Us Write - Benefits of Yoga
Now let's write a short paragraph on 'The Benefits of Yoga'. We can use the sentence starters given.
Here's an example:
Yoga is important because it helps us stay healthy in both body and mind. One benefit of yoga that interests me is that it reduces stress and makes us feel calm. Practising yoga can help people improve their flexibility and strength. A popular yoga pose is the tree pose because it helps improve balance and concentration. Yoga is not just physical exercise; it also includes breathing techniques and meditation that help calm the mind. Finally, yoga can be a great way to develop discipline and self-awareness, which are important for success in life.
---
### Let Us Explore - Do You Know?
Now let's learn some interesting facts!
Did you know? - A few seals of the Sindhu-Sarasvati Civilisation, dating back to 2700 BC, indicate that yoga was prevalent in ancient India. This means yoga is over 4,000 years old! - Many people contributed to its development and now, yoga has spread all over the world. - On 11th December 2014, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) with 193 members accepted the proposal to celebrate '21st June' as 'International Yoga Day'.
This shows how yoga, which started in India, has become a global phenomenon!
You can find out about two asanas and their benefits. Some popular asanas are:
1. Tadasana (Mountain Pose) - improves posture and balance 2. Vrikshasana (Tree Pose) - improves concentration and balance 3. Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation) - improves overall fitness 4. Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose) - strengthens the back 5. Paschimottanasana (Forward Bend) - calms the mind and stretches the body
---
### Brain Teasers
Now let's have some fun with brain teasers!
Riddle 1: I am an odd number. Take away a letter and I become even. What number am I?
Answer: Seven (Seven - S = even)
Riddle 2: You go at green, but stop at red. Who am I?
Answer: A banana! This is a fun pun. When you say "banana," it sounds like "ba-na-na" - "ba" sounds like "go" and "na-na" sounds like "no-no" or stop. So you "go" at green (ba) and "stop" at red (na-na)!
Riddle 3: I follow you all the time, but you can't touch me or catch me. What am I?
Answer: Your shadow! Your shadow follows you everywhere, but you can't touch or catch it.
Riddle 4: Three letters in my name; Backwards-forwards it's the same. I am a body part. Who am I?
Answer: EYE! If you read EYE backwards, it's still EYE. And it's a body part.
Riddle 3: I follow you all the time, but you can't touch me or catch me. What am I?
Answer: Your shadow! Your shadow follows you everywhere, but you can't touch or catch it.
Riddle 4: Three letters in my name; Backwards-forwards it's the same. I am a body part. Who am I?
Answer: EYE! If you read EYE backwards, it's still EYE. And it's a body part.
---
## SUMMARY OF TODAY'S LESSON
Now students, we have come to the end of our lesson. Let me summarize everything we learned today.
In this chapter "Sports and Wellness," we learned three important sections:
### Part One: Change of Heart We read the story of Prabhat, who was very competitive and couldn't handle losing. He even cheated to win a badminton match against Surya. But when he saw how Surya enjoyed playing games without worrying about winning or losing, Prabhat had a change of heart. He learned that the most important thing is not to win, but to enjoy the game and have a good sporting spirit. We learned about vocabulary words like defeat, opponent, friendly matches, and sporting spirit. We also learned about past perfect tense - verbs that show an action that happened before another action in the past.
### Part Two: The Winner We read a beautiful poem by Georgia Heard about children playing in the evening. The poem describes the joy of playing games with friends until it gets dark. We learned about literary devices like personification (giving human qualities to non-living things) and how the poet's style reflects the meaning - like writing each word on a separate line to show being out of breath. We also solved riddles about different sports like football, kabaddi, and swimming.
### Part Three: Yoga—A Way of Life We learned about yoga, which originated in ancient India. The word "yoga" comes from the Sanskrit word "yuj" meaning "to unite" or "to join." Yoga is about achieving harmony between mind and body. We learned about the benefits of yoga - it improves flexibility, strength, balance, reduces stress, improves sleep, and boosts the immune system. We also learned the difference between "practice" (noun) and "practise" (verb), and about "advice" (noun) and "advise" (verb). We learned about International Yoga Day celebrated on 21st June.
We also learned about important Indian sportspersons like Deepika Kumari (archer) and Neeraj Chopra (javelin thrower), who have made our nation proud.
We practiced using polite words like "please," "thank you," and "sorry" in different situations. We learned how to write diary entries and paragraphs about our playtime and the benefits of yoga.
We learned about indigenous games of India like kho-kho and kabaddi, and we explored different water bodies.
And we ended with some fun brain teasers!
The key message of this chapter is: 1. Playing games is not just about winning - it's about enjoying the process and having fun. 2. Sporting spirit means being fair, respecting others, and handling both victory and defeat gracefully. 3. Yoga is a wonderful practice for physical and mental health. 4. Using polite words makes our interactions with others pleasant and respectful. 5. We should appreciate our Indian heritage - both in sports and in yoga.
I hope you enjoyed this lesson, students. Remember, the most important thing is to stay healthy, play fairly, and enjoy every moment of life!
Thank you for listening attentively. See you in the next class!