Chapter 11: Making Things
Discover how everyday objects like pots and bricks are made!
Chapter Summary
This chapter explores how everyday objects like pots, bricks, and houses are made using natural materials such as clay, mud, and wood. Through Mini’s story and real-world examples, children learn about traditional methods of pottery, the process of brick making, and the importance of safety during construction. Key themes include the pottery process, making clay at home, identifying nature-inspired patterns, brick making, types of houses, and safety practices.
Let Us Answer
Page 137: Potter’s Work
What are pots used for?
Ans: Pots are used for storing water, cooking, decorating, and planting.
What else do potters make?
Ans: Piggy banks, cups (kulhads), birdbaths, plates, lamps.
Why are pots baked in a kiln?
Ans: To make them hard and durable for use.
Page 138–139: Making Clay and Patterns
How to help at home like Mini?
Ans: Cleaning, decorating, helping in kitchen, or painting.
Arrange pot-making steps:
Ans: Correct order:
- Collect clay
- Knead it
- Spin on wheel
- Shape it
- Dry it
- Bake in kiln
Page 142–143: Brick Making
Where have you seen bricks?
Ans: Houses, schools, walls, buildings.
How are bricks made?
Ans: Clay is put into moulds, dried, then baked in kilns.
What are bricks used for?
Ans: To build homes, schools, offices, hospitals.
Page 144–145: Types of Houses
Are all houses made of bricks?
Ans: No, some are made of mud, wood, grass, or bamboo.
Why are mud houses better for the environment?
Ans: They are made of natural, eco-friendly, and locally available materials.
What are houses in your neighbourhood made of?
Ans: Mostly bricks, cement, and concrete; some may have mud or bamboo.
Match pictures to house types:
| House Type | Material |
|---|---|
| Igloo | Ice |
| Hut | Straw/mud |
| Brick house | Bricks |
| Wooden house | Wood |
| Tent | Cloth |
Page 146–147: Safety First
Safety rules at construction sites?
Ans: Wear helmets, safety vests, sturdy shoes.
Safety rules at home/school?
Ans: Don’t touch electric plugs, no running on stairs, wear shoes.
Activities
Page 137: Draw Potter’s Items
Activity: Draw items made by a potter: pots, diyas, piggy bank.
Instructions: Sketch and label the items in your notebook, then color them.
Page 138–139: Make Your Own Clay
Steps:
- Collect muddy soil.
- Sieve to remove stones and debris.
- Soak in water, discard top water after settling.
- Knead the clay and shape.
Activity: Make 2 clay items and dry in sun.
Instructions: Create small clay objects (e.g., bowls, animals) under adult supervision and let them dry for 2–3 days.
Page 140–141: Patterns from Nature
Activity: Draw or observe:
- Leaf pattern (Example: Neem leaf)
- Animal pattern (Example: Zebra stripes)
- Object pattern (Example: Mat weaving)
Tick patterns on Indian pottery: Most traditional pots have geometric or floral patterns.
Activity: Decorate pot outlines with nature-inspired patterns.
Instructions: Draw a pot outline and add patterns inspired by leaves, flowers, or animals using pencils or crayons.
Page 146: Build and Compare Walls
Activity: Make mock walls using clay bricks or boxes.
Which arrangement is stronger? The interlocking (zigzag) pattern is sturdier.
Instructions: Use clay or small boxes to build two walls—one straight, one interlocking—and test their strength by gently pushing.
Let Us Reflect
A. Write
Process of pot making:
Ans: Collect clay → knead → shape on wheel → dry → bake in kiln
Artist inspiration:
Ans: From nature — plants, animals, patterns in surroundings
What is a kiln?
Ans: A very hot oven used to bake clay pots or bricks
What are houses made of?
Ans: Bricks, wood, mud, cement, stones, grass, bamboo
Explore further (video task):
Ans: Steps can include material collection, shaping, decorating, drying, baking
B. Draw and Colour
Draw: Igloo, hut, brick house
Instructions: Sketch and color the three house types in your notebook, labeling each one.
C. Discuss
Why different houses?
Ans: Because of different climates, cultures, available materials
Why helmets at construction sites?
Ans: To protect the head from falling objects or accidents
If no patterns in nature?
Ans: Nature would look dull; patterns help identify species and inspire art
D. Interview
Craftsperson/Toymaker Questions:
Ans:
- What do you make?
- What tools do you use?
- Where do you learn your craft?
- How are objects made?
Materials of school items:
Ans:
- Pencil: Wood, graphite, rubber
- Eraser: Rubber or plastic
- Pen: Plastic and ink
- Notebook: Paper from trees, binding
Bonus:
Ans: Statues are usually made of stone, metal, or stronger clay types — not the same as pot clay.
Concepts Covered
- Traditional pottery process and tools
- Brick making and construction
- Types of houses and their materials
- Nature-inspired patterns in art
- Safety practices at construction sites and home/school
- Hands-on activities: Making clay, decorating pots, building mock walls
0 Comments