NCERT Class 4 The World Around Us Our Wonderous World: Chapter 7 — Things Around Us
This unit, "Things Around Us," for Class 4's "The World Around Us" subject, introduces students to the world around them, focusing on how various objects function and are constructed. It encourages hands-on exploration through activities like making and testing spinners and paper boats, and experimenting with floating and sinking objects in water. The unit also delves into the process of making things, including paper, and emphasizes sustainable practices through the 5Rs of waste management. By engaging with traditional and modern techniques, students develop an appreciation for everyday materials and their environmental connections, fostering curiosity and critical thinking about how things work and are made, aligning with CBSE learning objectives.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 4 |
| Subject | The World Around Us |
| Book | Our Wonderous World |
| Chapter | Chapter 7 — Things Around Us |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 3 minutes |
| Word count | 513 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand how common objects and toys work through observation and experimentation.
- Predict and test which objects sink or float in water.
- Learn about the process of making paper and other items.
- Understand the importance of sustainable practices like the 5Rs of waste management.
- Develop curiosity and critical thinking about the world around them.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Familiarises | Makes someone acquainted with or knowledgeable about. |
| Sustainable | Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level; relating to environmental protection. |
| Properties | A quality or characteristic of a substance or object. |
| Experimenting | Trying out new ideas or methods to discover something. |
| Appreciation | Recognition and enjoyment of the good qualities of someone or something. |
| Phenomena | Facts or situations that are observed to exist or happen, especially something whose cause or explanation is in question. |
| Facilitate | Make an action or process easy or easier. |
| Curiosity | A strong desire to know or learn something. |
| Pulp | A soft, moist, and shapeless mass of material. |
| Innovation | New methods, ideas, or products. |
The complete chapter text is read in the official NCERT PDF viewer below (streamed from ncert.nic.in). This page provides NCERT Help study material — summary, vocabulary, practice questions, and FAQs — not a full reproduction of the textbook.
Read chapter online
This PDF is loaded from the official NCERT website (ncert.nic.in). Use the page buttons below to read — download is disabled on NCERT Help.
Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.
Practice questions
- What are some activities mentioned in the unit that help understand how things work? Answer: Making and testing spinners, paper boats, and observing floating/sinking objects.
- What is one important concept related to waste management that students will learn? Answer: The 5Rs of waste management.
- Besides learning how things work, what else does this unit teach? Answer: How different things are made, including handmade paper.
- What kind of materials are suggested for hands-on activities? Answer: Coins, bangles, wooden spinners, leaves, stones, cardboard, toothpicks, and adhesive.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main objective of the 'Things Around Us' unit in Class 4?
The unit aims to familiarize students with various things around them, how they work, and how they are made, promoting curiosity and sustainable practices.
What hands-on activities are included in this unit?
Activities include making and testing spinners and paper boats, and experimenting with objects that sink or float.
What role does waste management play in this unit?
Students learn about sustainable practices through the 5Rs of waste management.
What will students learn about paper in this unit?
They will learn about the properties of paper, how it is made on a large scale, and how to prepare handmade paper.
What is the purpose of the 'Note to the Teacher' section?
It provides guidance on facilitating activities, key concepts, and materials needed for Chapters 7 and 8.
Which chapters are covered under the 'Things Around Us' unit?
The unit covers Chapter 7: How Things Work and Chapter 8: How Things are Made.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 4 The World Around Us — Our Wonderous World — Chapter 7 — Things Around Us. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.