On the Move Again Class 5 NCERT EVS Guide

Chapter Overview: Why Do Families Move?

This chapter shows that moving is not always for a holiday or picnic. Many families move because they need work to earn money. After the farming season in their village, Dhanu's family travels to another place where sugarcane is cut. They live in temporary huts, work long hours, cook with what they have, and manage school in a difficult way. The chapter helps us see the difference between permanent homes and temporary shelters. It also teaches respect for labourers because their hard work gives us food, sugar, and many daily things. When you answer questions, focus on reasons, problems, feelings, and real-life connections.

Key Words and Ideas

Seasonal migration

Moving from one place to another for work during a particular season, and often returning when the work is over.

Labourer

A person who does physical work, such as cutting crops, carrying loads, digging, or building.

Temporary shelter

A place to stay for a short time, such as a hut or tent, not a permanent house.

Harvest

The time when crops are cut and collected from the field.

Wages

Money paid to workers for the work they do, usually daily or weekly.

How to Understand Dhanu's Family's Journey

1. Step 1: Notice the reason for moving — Dhanu's family does not move because they want adventure. They move because work in their village is not enough after the farming season. To earn money, they go where sugarcane cutting work is available.
2. Step 2: Observe changes in daily life — Their house, food, school, playtime, and safety change after moving. They may live in a hut near the fields, carry water from far away, cook on a simple stove, and work for many hours.
3. Step 3: Think about children — Children in migrant families may miss regular school or study in a temporary school. They may also help elders by looking after younger children, bringing water, or doing small tasks.
4. Step 4: Connect with fairness — Ask whether workers get proper wages, rest, clean water, health care, and schooling for children. This turns the chapter from a story into an EVS lesson about society.

Worked Answer Examples

• Q: Why did Dhanu's family leave their village? A: Step 1: Identify the situation in the chapter: the farming work in the village was over after the harvest. Step 2: Identify the need: the family needed money for food and daily life. Step 3: Connect both ideas: they went to another place where sugarcane cutting work was available. Final answer: Dhanu's family left their village because they needed work and money after the farming season, so they moved to work in sugarcane fields.
• Q: How is a temporary shelter different from a permanent house? A: Step 1: A permanent house is where a family lives for a long time and keeps most belongings. Step 2: A temporary shelter is made for a short stay, often near the work place, and may not have strong walls, toilets, or water nearby. Step 3: In the chapter, migrant workers stay in such shelters while cutting sugarcane. Final answer: A temporary shelter is used for a short time during work, while a permanent house is a regular home where a family lives for a long time.

Exam Tip: Write Answers Like an EVS Observer

In this chapter, avoid writing only one word answers such as work or village. CBSE EVS answers should show cause and effect. For example, write: They moved because farming work was over and they needed wages, so they went to cut sugarcane. Also mention the effect on children, such as difficulty in going to school regularly. Use simple real-life examples, but do not blame the workers; write with respect and understanding.

Important Points to Remember

• Migration can be seasonal, which means families move only during certain months for work.
• Migrant workers often face problems like temporary homes, long working hours, lack of clean water, and irregular schooling for children.
• Children of migrant families may be responsible and helpful, but they also need time to study, play, and rest.
• The chapter teaches empathy: we should respect the people whose labour helps farms, markets, and homes run.
• When writing answers, include both the reason for moving and the difficulties faced after moving.

Practice Questions with Solutions

• Q: What is seasonal migration? Explain using the chapter. A: Step 1: Seasonal means connected to a particular time of the year. Step 2: Migration means moving from one place to another. Step 3: In the chapter, Dhanu's family moves to cut sugarcane when work is available and returns later. Final answer: Seasonal migration is moving to another place for work during a particular season, like Dhanu's family moving for sugarcane cutting.
• Q: Write two difficulties faced by children when their families move for work. A: Step 1: Think about school first. Children may miss regular classes or change schools for a short time. Step 2: Think about daily life. They may not get enough time to play or rest because they help at home or near the work place. Step 3: Choose two clear points. Final answer: Children may miss regular school and may have less time to play or rest because they help their families during migration.
• Q: Why should we respect people who work in fields and cut crops? A: Step 1: Field workers do hard physical work in heat, dust, and long working hours. Step 2: Their work helps crops reach markets and homes. Step 3: Without their labour, many food items and products, such as sugar from sugarcane, would not be available easily. Final answer: We should respect field workers because their hard work gives us food and useful products, and they often work in difficult conditions.
• Q: How can a school or community help children of migrant workers? A: Step 1: Identify the problem: migrant children may not attend one school regularly. Step 2: Think of support: schools can provide temporary classes, books, and flexible admission. Step 3: Think of community help: people can help with clean water, safe spaces, and kindness. Final answer: Schools and communities can help by giving temporary classes, books, flexible admission, clean water, and a safe, respectful environment.

Frequently Asked Questions