4. Our School—A Happy Place

By planting trees and caring for them, using dustbins, saving water, switching off lights and fans, and making a compost pit.

My class teacher, the principal or my parents.

Dry waste: Blue   Wet waste: Green

They are called kabadiwala or raddiwala. They collect old newspapers, cardboard, plastic bottles, glass bottles, metal and old electronic items.

Old newspapers, used notebooks, cardboard boxes, plastic bottles and broken metal furniture.

Old newspapers, empty bottles and tins, old clothes and a broken mixer.

Green box (wet waste): banana peel, vegetable peels, used tea bag, leftover food.

Blue box (dry waste): chips packet, used tissue, aluminium foil, pencil shavings, old pen.

Items for recycler: newspaper, plastic bottle, cardboard box, plastic can, notebook, steel spoon, old toy, juice carton, cloth bag.

In your school: It is put in a compost pit and turned into manure for the garden.

In your home: It is put in the green bin for the waste collector, or made into compost in a pot.

Waste cannot be recycled or made into compost. It piles up in big heaps. It smells bad, attracts flies and pollutes land and water. The work of sanitation workers becomes harder and unsafe.

We should separate our waste and wrap sharp things. We should not litter. They should get gloves, masks and boots. We must respect and thank them.

The white tile felt cooler. White reflects the Sun’s heat, while black absorbs it.

The white roof would reflect the Sun’s heat. The rooms below would stay cooler, and we would need fans and coolers less.

• Plant more trees.
• Paint roofs white.
• Keep windows open for breeze.
• Save electricity and use fewer vehicles.
• Protect ponds, lakes and green spaces.

Close taps after use. Report and fix leaks. Drink water from a glass. Use leftover water for plants. Put up “Save Water” posters.

Rainwater from the roof can be sent through pipes into a tank or a recharge pit. This water can be used for gardening, cleaning and flushing.

Neem, peepal, banyan, mango, ashoka and gulmohar.

Birds: sparrows, crows, mynas, parrots and bulbuls. Insects: butterflies, bees, ants and ladybirds.

What do these readings tell us? The water under the Sun became much warmer. Trees give shade and keep the surroundings cool.

Birds: neem, peepal, banyan, guava and jamun. Butterflies: marigold, hibiscus, ixora, zinnia and curry leaf plant.

Mohit is right. Many accidents happen because people break traffic rules. They drive too fast, jump signals and do not wear helmets.

1. Stop at the red light and go only at the green light.
2. Cross the road only at the zebra crossing.
3. Always wear a helmet on a two-wheeler and a seat belt in a car.

Have traffic volunteers at the gate. Make speed breakers and a zebra crossing. Ask parents to park away from the gate. Encourage walking and cycling in groups.

Stay calm and tell a teacher at once. Leave by the nearest exit without running. Crawl low under smoke with the mouth covered. Never go back inside. Go to the assembly point. Call 101 for the fire brigade.

1. Pushing and skipping the line: I would politely ask them to wait for their turn. Teachers can make line rules.
2. Scribbling on the bench: I would ask the student to stop and tell the teacher. We should all care for school property.
3. Throwing a wrapper: I would pick it up and put it in the dustbin. Then I would explain to the younger student why littering is wrong.
4. Teasing a student: I would stand by the student and tell a teacher. We should be kind and stop bullying.
5. Noise in a park: I would ask my friends to keep quiet. Public places must be shared with respect.

I would start separating waste at home. I would keep two bins — green for wet waste and blue for dry waste. I would ask my neighbours to do the same. Wet waste can be turned into compost for our plants. This will keep our area clean and healthy.

1. Build ramps and keep the school clean and safe for everyone.
2. Plant more trees and start a butterfly garden.
3. Start a “kindness corner” where students can share their feelings.