Our Sky
Class 4 · The World Around Us
4 ideas in Class 4 The World Around Us, explained in plain words, with games and quizzes to practise.
The Sun and the Daytime Sky
Part of: Celestial Wonders and Daily Cycles
The Sun is the brightest star in our daytime sky, providing heat and light. It appears to rise in the east, move overhead by noon, and set in the west, driving natural waking and sleeping cycles.
Why it matters. Understanding the Sun's daily motion helps explain daylight, temperature changes, and why living things follow regular daily wake-sleep routines.
Try it in two minutes
- Step outside in early morning and observe the soft orange glow of the rising Sun in the east.
- Notice how animals and birds wake up and start chirping as sunlight brightens the ground.
- Compare how warm the sunlight feels at noon compared to early morning.
Try at home. Track the position of sunlight coming through a window at 8 AM, 12 PM, and 4 PM.
Shadows and How They Change
Part of: Celestial Wonders and Daily Cycles
A shadow forms when an opaque object blocks light. Because the Sun's position changes from morning to noon to evening, shadows change continuously in length and direction.
Why it matters. Exploring shadows introduces basic optics, light paths, and how ancient societies measured time with sundials like Samrat Yantra.
Try it in two minutes
- Stand outside under the Sun and observe that your shadow always points opposite the Sun.
- Compare your morning shadow (long, pointing west) with your noon shadow (short).
- Notice how using a torch in a dark room makes an object's shadow larger when moved closer.
Try at home. Place a pencil upright in clay on paper and mark the tip of its shadow every hour.
Phases of the Moon and Night Sky
Part of: Celestial Wonders and Daily Cycles
The Moon appears to change its shape night after night, from a full round circle (Poornima) to a thin crescent and invisible new Moon (Amavasya).
Why it matters. Learning moon phases helps children understand natural astronomical cycles and how ancient people tracked months and built early lunar calendars.
Try it in two minutes
- Step outside after dusk and spot the Moon and bright constellations in the night sky.
- Draw the current shape of the Moon with your child in a small notebook.
- Check whether the Moon appears as a full bright circle or a slender curved crescent.
Try at home. Keep a lunar observation diary for two weeks, sketching the Moon's shape at the same time each night.
Lunar Calendars, Festivals, and Moon Exploration
Part of: Celestial Wonders and Daily Cycles
Many Indian festivals celebrate specific moon phases. India made space history on 23 August 2023 when the Chandrayaan-3 Vikram Lander touched down softly on the Moon.
Why it matters. Connecting lunar phases to cultural celebrations and space missions links traditional cultural heritage with modern scientific inquiry.
Try it in two minutes
- Talk about why Diwali is celebrated on a dark night (Amavasya) lit by oil lamps.
- Mention festivals like Buddha Poornima and Rakshabandhan that occur on full moon nights.
- Share the story of India's Chandrayaan-3 Vikram Lander landing on the Moon on 23 August 2023.
Try at home. Light a small clay diya or draw a picture of the Vikram Lander exploring lunar soil.
What your child will practise
- Lunar Calendars, Festivals, and Moon Exploration: Space Quick Fire (Quick Fire)
- Phases of the Moon and Night Sky: Ocean Quick Fire (Quick Fire)
- Phases of the Moon and Night Sky: Space Quest (Collect the Answer)
- Shadows and How They Change: Jungle Puzzle (Clue Puzzle)
- The Sun and the Daytime Sky: Explorer'S Map Quest (Collect the Answer)
- Quiz: Lunar Calendars, Festivals, and Moon Exploration (8 questions)
- Quiz: Phases of the Moon and Night Sky (8 questions)
- Quiz: Shadows and How They Change (8 questions)
- Quiz: The Sun and the Daytime Sky (8 questions)