First Day at School: CBSE Class 2 English Unit 1 Poem

Summary of 'First Day at School'

This poem captures the sweet and innocent thoughts of a child on their first day of school. The child is full of 'wonder'. First, they think about their drawing and wonder if it will be as good as their classmates' drawings. This shows they want to do well and be liked. Next, the child wonders about the other children in the class. They hope the other kids will be friendly and not just stare. Then, the child’s thoughts turn to the teacher. They wonder if the teacher will be kind and loving, like their Mom or their Grandmother (Gran). This shows the child is looking for comfort and care at school. Finally, as they get ready to leave for school, they think about their pet puppy and wonder where it will be while they are away. The poem beautifully shows the mix of curiosity, slight nervousness, and the need for friendship and kindness that every child feels on a big day like this.

What is the Child Thinking and Feeling?

New Words from the Poem

Wonder

To think about something with curiosity and ask yourself questions about it. For example, 'I wonder if it will rain today.'

Drawing

A picture you make with a pencil, crayon, or pen. For example, 'I made a drawing of a flower.'

Stare

To look at someone or something for a long time without looking away. For example, 'It is not polite to stare at people.'

Gran

A short and loving word for Grandmother. For example, 'My Gran tells me wonderful stories.'

Puppy

A baby or young dog. For example, 'My puppy loves to play with a ball.'

Practice Questions with Solutions

• Q: What does the child in the poem wonder about their drawing?
  A: Step 1: Read the first part of the poem. It says, 'I wonder if my drawing / will be as good as theirs'.
  Step 2: Understand the meaning. The child is comparing their drawing to the drawings of other children in the class.
  Final answer: The child wonders if their drawing will be as good as their classmates' drawings.

• Q: Why does the child wonder if their teacher will look like 'Mom' or 'Gran'?
  A: Step 1: Think about who 'Mom' and 'Gran' (Grandmother) are. They are people who love and care for the child.
  Step 2: The child is hoping the teacher will also be loving and kind, just like their mother or grandmother.
  Final answer: The child wonders this because they hope their teacher will be as loving and caring as their Mom or Gran.

• Q: What two things does the child think about the other children in the class?
  A: Step 1: Find the part of the poem that talks about 'they'. It says, 'I wonder if they'll like me / or just be full of stares'.
  Step 2: Identify the two different thoughts. The first thought is positive ('if they'll like me'). The second thought is a worry ('or just be full of stares').
  Final answer: The child wonders if the other children will like them, or if they will just stare at them.

• Q: What is the child's last worry in the poem before going to school?
  A: Step 1: Read the last stanza of the poem. It says, 'I wonder if my puppy / will wonder where I am'.
  Step 2: This thought is about someone at home, not at school. The child is thinking about their pet.
  Final answer: The child's last worry is about their puppy, wondering if the puppy will miss them and wonder where they have gone.

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