Activity 6.1 – Looking at changes from Grade 5 to 8
Q 1. What were the most commonly observable changes among students?
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Height – most children grow taller.
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Weight / strength – many become heavier and stronger.
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Appearance – some boys show tiny moustache hair; some girls start to grow breasts; both may get pimples.
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Voice – boys’ voices start to sound deeper.
Q 2. Have you also experienced some of these changes?
Yes. Every child will feel some changes, but the time and amount are different for each person, and that is normal.
Section 6.1 In-text questions
Q 3. Why do these changes happen at this age?
They happen because the body enters a new life stage called adolescence (about 10 – 19 years) when special chemicals called hormones make the body grow fast and get ready for adulthood.
Section 6.2 – Reproductive capability
Q 4. What internal change happens in adolescent girls?
They start the menstrual cycle (periods). Blood flows for 3 – 7 days once every 21 – 35 days. This shows the body can, in future, have babies.
Breaking myths about menstruation
Q 5. Why is physical isolation of menstruating girls wrong?
Because menstruation is a natural, healthy body process. There is no scientific reason to keep girls separate or treat them as unclean.
Activity 6.2 – Emotional changes table
(Example answers.)
| Key emotional change | Possible behaviour | Positive action |
|---|---|---|
| Mood swings | Happy one moment, sad the next | Talk to family/friends, play games, do art or music |
| Strong feelings | Quick anger or excitement | Deep breathing, count to ten before acting |
| Higher sensitivity | Feeling hurt easily | Write a diary, share with a trusted adult |
| Self-exploration | Trying new hobbies | Choose safe, useful activities like science club, sports |
| Compassion | Want to help others | Join a clean-up drive, visit an old-age home |
Activity 6.3 – Nutritious foods table
(Examples with simple words.)
| Food source | Main nutrients | Why useful |
|---|---|---|
| Milk, curd, cheese, paneer, millets | Calcium, proteins, good fats | Calcium → makes strong bones and teeth. Proteins → build body parts. Fats → give energy. |
| Spinach, kidney beans, dried fruits (raisins, figs) | Iron, fibre, vitamins | Iron → helps make blood. Fibre → good digestion. Vitamins → keep body healthy. |
| Eggs, fish, pulses, soyabean | Proteins, vitamin B₁₂ | Proteins mend body tissues; vitamin B₁₂ keeps nerves and blood healthy. |
| Fruits and vegetables (orange, mango, carrot) | Vitamins A & C | Vitamin A good for eyes; vitamin C heals cuts and fights colds. |
| Nuts (almond, peanuts) & seeds | Healthy fats, proteins, minerals | Give long-lasting energy and help brain growth. |
Science & Society box – Iron deficiency
Q 6. What health problem comes from lack of iron or vitamin B₁₂?
It can cause anaemia. A person feels weak and tired because there are too few healthy red blood cells.
Q 7. How can we manage iron deficiency?
Eat iron-rich foods (spinach, jaggery, dates, meat, eggs) and, if doctor says, take iron tablets.
Q 8. Name one government scheme to prevent such deficiency.
The Anaemia-Mukt Bharat programme gives iron-folic-acid tablets to school children.
Activity 6.4 – Social-media dos and don’ts (sample)
| Dos | Don’ts |
|---|---|
| Be respectful and kind. | Do not share personal photos with strangers. |
| Think before posting. | Don’t forward rumours or fake news. |
| Protect privacy—use strong passwords. | Never tell your home address or phone number online. |
| Tell parents/teacher if you see something bad. | Don’t meet online friends alone without adult permission. |
Section 6.4.5 – Substance abuse
Q 9. Why should we say NO the very first time?
Because substances like tobacco, alcohol, drugs are addictive. After “just once”, people often feel a strong need to use again, which harms body and mind.
LET US ENHANCE OUR LEARNING — Exercise answers
1. Ramesh’s pimples
(i) Pimples come because oil glands in the skin make more oil and pores clog. Germs grow and form tiny red bumps.
(ii) Wash face twice daily with mild soap, keep hair clean, drink water, avoid too much oily junk food, and do not squeeze pimples.
2. Better food option for adolescents
Set (i) (milk, fruits, nuts, vegetables, pulses) is better than set (ii) (chips, soda, sweets) because set (i) gives proteins, vitamins, minerals and good energy for growth; set (ii) is mostly fat, sugar and has little nutrition.
3. Unscramble the words
(i) nstmnoiaretu → menstruation
(ii) iceov xob → voice box
(iii) urtypeb → puberty
(iv) lahoclo and srugd → alcohol and drugs
4. Shalu’s sentence correction
Adolescence brings physical, emotional and behavioural changes, not only physical ones.
5. Questions to check statements
(i) “What kinds of behaviour changes do happen in teens? Can strong emotions affect choices?”
(ii) “What makes a substance addictive? Do people really stop easily after one try?”
6. Other behavioural changes at this age
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Wanting more independence.
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Paying more attention to friends.
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Feeling shy or self-conscious about body.
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Trying new hobbies or music styles.
7. Good menstrual-hygiene habits
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Change pad or clean cloth every 4–6 hours.
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Wash the area with clean water and mild soap.
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Wrap used pad in paper and put in covered bin—never flush.
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Keep extra pads in a clean pouch.
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Eat healthy food and drink water.
8. Mary vs Manoj neck bulge
Mary’s bulge may be an enlarged thyroid (goitre) caused by lack of iodine, so doctor gave medicine and iodine-rich food.
Manoj’s bulge is an Adam’s apple, a normal bigger voice box in boys, so no medicine needed.
9. Categorise physical changes
| Observed only in boys | Observed only in girls | Common in both |
|---|---|---|
| Change in voice, growth of moustache, growth of facial hair | Development of breasts | Pimples, hair in pubic region, hair in armpits |
10. Poster tips for a healthy adolescent life
(Short points students can write on a poster.)
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Eat balanced meals: grains + pulses + milk + fruits + veg.
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Play or exercise 1 hour daily.
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Sleep 8 hours.
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Keep clean: daily bath, wash hands, dental care.
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Say NO to tobacco, alcohol, drugs.
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Use social media safely—protect privacy.
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Respect all, be kind, talk to elders if worried.