6. Every Drop Counts
Class 5 · Environmental Studies
3 ideas in Class 5 Environmental Studies, explained in plain words, with games and quizzes to practise.
Traditional Rainwater Harvesting
Part of: Water, Communities and the Environment
The chapter describes Ghadsisar as one lake in a chain of nine. When it filled, extra water flowed to a lower lake, then on to the next. It also describes lakes and johads collecting rain, and stepwells that let people walk down steps to the water.
Why it matters. Older water systems show how people planned to keep rainwater available beyond the rainy days.
Try it in two minutes
- Trace what happens when the first lake fills.
- Compare a stepwell with drawing water upward from a well.
- Name one way the stored water helped people.
Try at home. With an adult, find out whether your area has a lake, well or stepwell and who uses it.
Groundwater and Water Shortages
Part of: Water, Communities and the Environment
The chapter says some lake water soaks into the ground and reaches wells and stepwells, making soil wet and fertile. It lists possible reasons old wells dried: heavy pumping from underground, vanished lakes that once held rainwater, and cement covering soil around trees and parks.
Why it matters. Children can see that water availability depends on both how people use groundwater and whether rain can soak into the land.
Try it in two minutes
- Trace one path from rain to a well.
- Name a change that can reduce water soaking into soil.
- Discuss how pumping water faster than it is restored can affect a well.
Try at home. Look for soil and paved areas near your home or school and ask where rainwater goes. Observe from a safe place.
Fair Access and Community Water Work
Part of: Water, Communities and the Environment
The chapter shows different ways families get water: tankers, wells, limited tap supply, pumps, salty handpumps and canals. It also describes people being denied access to some wells because of caste. In a separate story, villagers and a support group build a lake together, reducing water and food problems for animals and helping people earn more.
Why it matters. Children can understand that access to water is uneven and that shared work can improve local water supplies.
Try it in two minutes
- Compare two ways families in the chapter get water.
- Notice who faces a longer walk, queue or restriction.
- Explain what changed after villagers and the group made a lake.
Try at home. With a trusted adult, learn where your home gets water and identify one local source people maintain together.
What your child will practise
- Fair Access and Community Water Work: Jungle Puzzle (Clue Puzzle)
- Fair Access and Community Water Work: Jungle Quick Fire (Quick Fire)
- Groundwater and Water Shortages: Candy Quick Fire (Quick Fire)
- Groundwater and Water Shortages: Lab Explorer Quest (Collect the Answer)
- Traditional Rainwater Harvesting: Ocean Quest (Match It Up)
- Quiz: Fair Access and Community Water Work (8 questions)
- Quiz: Groundwater and Water Shortages (8 questions)
- Quiz: Traditional Rainwater Harvesting (8 questions)