🏠 Houses Around Us

What your child will learn

• Students will identify different types of houses (kachcha, pucca, houseboat, tent, igloo) and the materials used to build them.
• Students will explain why houses differ in different places (weather, materials available, needs).
• Students will describe how a house protects us from sun, rain, wind, and animals.
• Students will sort materials into natural (mud, wood, stone) and man-made (brick, cement, glass) and give one example of each used in a house.

Lessons in this unit

1. Types of Houses: Introduce different houses: kachcha (mud, straw), pucca (brick, cement), houseboat (wood, floats on water), tent (cloth, can be carried), igloo (snow). Observe pictures and discuss where each is found.
2. Materials of Houses: Explore materials used to build houses: natural (mud, wood, stone, straw, snow) and man-made (brick, cement, glass, iron). Observe the house and school building to identify materials.
3. Why Houses Differ: Understand that houses differ because of weather, materials available, and needs. Example: houseboat in Kerala (water), tent in desert (easy to move), igloo in snow (snow available), kachcha in village (mud available), pucca in city (strong for safety).
4. How a House Protects Us: A house gives us shelter: roof protects from rain and sun, walls from wind and animals, door from strangers, floor from cold and dirt. Discuss why we need a house.
5. Caring for Our House: We care for our house by keeping it clean, sweeping, mopping, throwing waste in dustbin, not writing on walls, and keeping things in place. Also care for the surroundings: don't break windows, keep the garden clean.

Key words

kachcha house

A house made of mud, straw, or bamboo. It is not very strong.

pucca house

A strong house made of bricks, cement, and iron. It lasts a long time.

houseboat

A house that floats on water. People live inside a boat.

tent

A house made of cloth or canvas. It can be folded and carried.

igloo

A house made of blocks of snow. It is very cold outside.

materials

Things used to make something, like mud, bricks, wood, or straw.

roof

The top part of a house that covers us from rain and sun.

walls

The sides of a house that stand up and hold the roof.

Help your child at home

What to watch for

All houses are made of bricks and cement.

Help: Some houses are made of mud, straw, or wood. They are called kachcha houses.

Wood is a man-made material because it is used to make furniture.

Help: Wood comes from trees, so it is natural. Man-made means made by people, like bricks.

All houses are the same everywhere.

Help: Houses are different because the weather and materials are different. In snow, people use snow; near water, they use boats.

A house is only for sleeping.

Help: A house protects us from sun, rain, wind, and animals. We eat, play, and rest there.

Try this at home

• Riya sees a house made of mud and straw. Is it kachcha or pucca?
• Sort: mud, wood, stone (natural) vs brick, cement, glass (man-made)
• Why can a houseboat float? It is made of light wood and shaped like a boat.
• It is raining. How does the house help?

Quick questions to ask aloud

1. Which house is made of mud and straw? (kachcha house / pucca house / igloo)
   Show answer

   A kachcha house is made of mud and straw. It is not very strong.
2. Which material is natural? (wood / brick / glass)
   Show answer

   wood. Wood comes from trees. It is natural.
3. Why do people live in houseboats in Kerala? (there is a lot of water / there is a lot of snow / there is a desert)
   Show answer

   there is a lot of water. Kerala has many rivers and lakes. People use boats as houses.

Parent guide: how to help your child with Class 2 EVS

Frequently asked questions

What will my child learn in "Houses Around Us" (Class 2 EVS)?

Your child will be able to: Students will identify different types of houses (kachcha, pucca, houseboat, tent, igloo) and the materials used to build them.; Students will explain why houses differ in different places (weather, materials available, needs).; Students will describe how a house protects us from sun, rain, wind, and animals.; Students will sort materials into natural (mud, wood, stone) and man-made (brick, cement, glass) and give one example of each used in a house..

How does MangoMindz teach "Houses Around Us"?

In 5 short parts (Types of Houses, Materials of Houses, Why Houses Differ, How a House Protects Us, Caring for Our House). Each part has a picture-based lesson read aloud by Mango Teacher, a quick check, and a quiz built from common mistakes children make, with Mango, a study buddy, for questions.

How long does "Houses Around Us" take?

About 120 minutes in total, spread over 5 parts of 15–25 minutes each.

How can I help my child with "Houses Around Us" at home?

Work through a small example together, such as: Riya sees a house made of mud and straw. Is it kachcha or pucca?; Sort: mud, wood, stone (natural) vs brick, cement, glass (man-made). Then ask a quick question aloud: Which house is made of mud and straw? (kachcha house / pucca house / igloo)

What mistakes do children often make in "Houses Around Us"?

All houses are made of bricks and cement. Fix: Some houses are made of mud, straw, or wood. They are called kachcha houses. Wood is a man-made material because it is used to make furniture. Fix: Wood comes from trees, so it is natural. Man-made means made by people, like bricks. All houses are the same everywhere. Fix: Houses are different because the weather and materials are different. In snow, people use snow; near water, they use boats.

Is "Houses Around Us" free on MangoMindz?

Yes. Every lesson part and quiz in "Houses Around Us" is free on MangoMindz, with no ads.