Class 5 EVS

Here you can find Class 5 EVS Notes. These notes include important revision points, simple explanations of “The World Around Us”.

Chapter 1.  Water — The Essence of Life

This chapter explains how water is the essence of life, found as ice, liquid, and vapour, but only a small part is freshwater fit to drink. The water cycle—evaporation, condensation, and rainfall—replenishes rivers, lakes, and underground sources. Essential for people, plants, animals, farming, and industry, water is becoming scarce due to wastage, pollution, and overuse. Conserving it through rainwater harvesting, tree planting, and careful use is vital, as without water, life cannot exist.

Key Points

• Water exists in three forms: Solid (ice), Liquid (water), Gas (water vapour).

• Sources of water: Rain, rivers, lakes, ponds, wells, handpumps, seas, and oceans.

• Freshwater vs Saltwater: Only a small part of Earth’s water is fresh and fit for drinking; most is salty.

• Water cycle: Evaporation → Condensation → Precipitation (rainfall).

• Groundwater: Rainwater seeps into soil and fills underground reservoirs (wells, handpumps).

• Importance of water: Drinking, cooking, cleaning, farming, industry, and supporting plants & animals.

• Water scarcity: Wastage, pollution, deforestation, and overuse reduce availability of safe water.

• Conservation: Rainwater harvesting, planting trees, avoiding wastage, recycling water.

• Without water, life cannot exist on Earth.

👉 👉Water is precious and limited. We must use it wisely, conserve it, and keep it clean to protect life on Earth.

Chapter 2. Journey of a River

This chapter explains how a river begins in the mountains from glaciers or springs and flows through different stages—fast in the upper course with waterfalls, curving slowly across plains in the middle course, and finally spreading into distributaries to join the sea at the lower course. Along its journey, a river carries water, soil, sand, and minerals, making plains fertile and supporting farming, transport, fishing, and electricity generation. Rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, Narmada, and Godavari are lifelines of India, but they face threats from pollution, overuse, deforestation, and climate change. Conserving rivers by keeping them clean, planting trees, saving water, and protecting aquatic life is essential for sustaining life and livelihoods.

Key Points

• Origin of rivers: Most rivers begin in the mountains from glaciers or springs.

• Course of a river:

  1. Upper course (Mountains) → Fast flow, waterfalls, rapids.

  2. Middle course (Plains) → Slower flow, meanders (curves), fertile soil.

  3. Lower course (Delta/Sea) → River spreads into distributaries, joins sea/ocean.

• Rivers carry → Water, soil, sand, and minerals.

• Importance of rivers:

• Provide water for drinking, farming, and industries.

• Make soil fertile for agriculture (alluvial soil).

• Support transport, fishing, and hydroelectricity.

• Act as lifeline for villages and cities along the banks.

• Famous rivers in India: Ganga, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, Narmada, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri.

• Threats to rivers: Pollution, overuse, deforestation, building dams, and climate change.

• Conservation: Keep rivers clean, avoid dumping waste, plant trees, save water, and protect aquatic life.

👉 👉 Rivers are the lifelines of nature and people. We must keep them clean and conserve them for future generations. 

Chapter 3. The Mystery of Food

This chapter explains that food is essential for life as it gives us energy, helps us grow, repairs our body, and protects us from diseases. We get food from plants like fruits, vegetables, and grains, and from animals like milk, eggs, meat, and fish. Based on its role, food is of three types—energy-giving, body-building, and protective food. A balanced diet with all nutrients keeps us healthy, while poor diet leads to malnutrition. People have different food habits, such as vegetarian and non-vegetarian, and food diversity in India depends on region, climate, and culture. Problems like malnutrition, wastage, and food adulteration must be avoided. We should value food, eat wisely, and respect those who produce it. 

Key Points

• Food sources:

  • Plants → fruits, vegetables, grains, pulses, oil, sugar.

  • Animals → milk, eggs, meat, fish, honey.

• Why do we need food?

  • Gives energy to work and play.

  • Helps in growth and repairing the body.

  • Keeps us healthy and protects us from diseases.

• Types of food:

  • 1. Energy-giving food → Rice, wheat, potatoes, sugar, oil.

    2. Body-building food → Milk, pulses, meat, fish, eggs.

    3. Protective food → Fruits and vegetables (vitamins & minerals).

• Balanced diet: Right amount of all types of food → energy + growth + protection.

• Food habits:

  • Vegetarians → Eat only plant-based food.

  • Non-vegetarians → Eat both plant and animal food.

  • Food diversity: Different regions of India have different food due to climate, crops, and culture.

• Problems related to food:

  • Malnutrition: Weakness and disease due to poor diet.

  • Food wastage: Wasting food when many people sleep hungry.

  • Food adulteration: Mixing harmful or cheap substances in food.

👉 👉 Food is precious and essential for life. We should eat a balanced diet, avoid wastage, and respect farmers who grow it. 

Chapter 4. Our School — A Happy Place

This chapter explains that school is our second home where children learn, play, and grow together in a safe and happy environment. It provides classrooms for study, a playground for games, a library for reading, laboratories for practical learning, and essential facilities like clean water, toilets, and first aid. Teachers guide and mentor students, while the principal and support staff ensure smooth functioning. School helps children gain knowledge, discipline, teamwork, respect, and creativity through academics, art, music, and sports. By keeping the school clean, following rules, and respecting everyone, students make it a joyful place that nurtures confident, caring, and responsible citizens. 

Key Points

• School as a second home → A place where children learn, play, and grow together.

• Facilities in school:

  • Classrooms → for study and discussion.

  • Playground → for games and physical activity.

  • Library → for reading and gaining knowledge.

  • Laboratories → for practical learning.

  • Clean drinking water, toilets, and first-aid → for safety and hygiene.

• People in school:

  • Teachers → guide, educate, and mentor students.

  • Head/principal → manages school.

  • Support staff → helpers, guards, cleaners ensure smooth functioning.

• Why is school important?

  • Develops knowledge, skills, discipline, and values.

  • Promotes friendship, teamwork, respect, and responsibility.

  • Provides opportunities for art, music, sports, and creativity.

• Children’s role:

  • Keep the school clean and green.

  • Follow rules, respect everyone, and participate actively.

• A happy school creates confident, caring, and responsible citizens.

👉 👉 School is not just for learning books — it is a place to build knowledge, friendship, discipline, and values that shape our life. 

Chapter 5. Our Vibrant Country

This chapter explains India is a vibrant land of diversity, with many languages, clothes, foods, festivals, and traditions, yet united by the spirit of “Unity in Diversity.” Its physical features range from the Himalayas and plains to deserts, coasts, and islands. The country has 28 states and 8 Union Territories, each with its own unique culture and art forms. India is proudly represented by national symbols like the Tricolour flag, Jana Gana Mana, the tiger, the peacock, and the lotus. People celebrate both religious festivals like Diwali, Eid, and Christmas, and national festivals like Independence Day and Republic Day. With 22 official languages and countless regional dialects, India’s strength lies in its harmony and pride in being one nation. 

Key Points

• India – A land of diversity:

  • Different languages, clothes, food, festivals, and traditions.

  • Unity in diversity is India’s strength.

• Physical features:

  • Mountains (Himalayas), plains, plateaus, deserts, coastal areas, islands.

• States and Union Territories:

  • India has 28 states and 8 Union Territories.

  • Each has its own culture, art, and festivals.

• National symbols:

  • National Flag → Tricolour (Tiranga).

  • National Anthem → Jana Gana Mana.

  • National Animal → Tiger.

  • National Bird → Peacock.

  • National Flower → Lotus.

• Festivals:

  • Religious → Diwali, Eid, Christmas, Baisakhi, Durga Puja.

  • National → Independence Day, Republic Day, Gandhi Jayanti.

• Languages:

  • India has 22 official languages and many regional dialects.

• Unity in diversity:

  • Though people look different and follow different customs, all are proud Indians.

👉 👉 India is a vibrant and diverse country where people of different cultures live together with respect and harmony — this unity makes our nation strong.  

Chapter 6. Some Unique Places 

This chapter explains, India is full of unique places with diverse landscapes like the hot Thar Desert, the snow-covered Himalayas, the fertile plains of the Ganga and Brahmaputra, the beautiful coastal regions of Kerala and Goa, and the island groups of Andaman–Nicobar and Lakshadweep. People’s houses, clothes, food, and lifestyle change according to the climate and geography—camels in deserts, woollens in mountains, and seafood in coastal areas. India is also rich in heritage, with tourist attractions like the Taj Mahal, Red Fort, and Ajanta–Ellora caves. These unique places show how people adapt to nature and celebrate the country’s diversity. 

Key Points

• India has many unique places with special features:

  • Deserts → Thar Desert (Rajasthan): very hot & dry, sand dunes, camels used for transport.

  • Mountains → Himalayas: snow-covered, very cold, source of many rivers, tourism & adventure.

  • Plains → Fertile lands of Ganga & Brahmaputra, good for farming, thickly populated.

  • Islands → Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep: surrounded by sea, coconut trees, fishing.

  • Coastal areas → Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Goa: fishing, coconut, rice farming, beautiful beaches.

• Life in different places:

  • Houses, clothes, food, and lifestyle depend on climate & geography.

• Tourist attractions:

  • Taj Mahal (Agra), Ajanta–Ellora caves (Maharashtra), Charminar (Hyderabad), Red Fort (Delhi).

• Unique practices:

  • In desert → water stored carefully.

  • In mountains → woollen clothes worn.

  • In coastal areas → sea food is common.

👉 👉 India’s geography is full of unique and diverse places. Each region teaches us how people adapt to their surroundings and live in harmony with nature. 

Chapter 7. Energy—How Things Work  

This chapter explains that energy is the power that makes everything work, from moving vehicles to lighting our homes. It exists in many forms like solar, wind, water, thermal, electrical, and mechanical energy. While renewable sources such as the sun, wind, and water never run out, non-renewable sources like coal, petrol, and diesel are limited and may get exhausted. Energy is vital for cooking, travelling, farming, industries, and communication, so we must conserve it by switching off unused lights, saving fuel, and using resources wisely. Saving energy today ensures a better future for all. 

Key Points

• Energy is the ability to do work – it makes everything move, run, or function.

• Forms of Energy:

  • Solar energy → from the Sun, used in solar cookers, heaters, and to generate electricity.

  • Wind energy → from moving air, used in windmills to pump water or produce electricity.

  • Water energy (Hydropower) → fast-moving water turns turbines to generate electricity.

  • Thermal energy → heat energy (fire, coal, gas).

  • Electrical energy → runs fans, lights, TV, machines.

  • Mechanical energy → energy of movement (vehicles, machines).

• Renewable energy: Sun, wind, water – can be used again and again.

• Non-renewable energy: Coal, petrol, diesel – limited and can finish.

• Conservation of energy: Switch off fans/lights when not in use, use public transport, save fuel.

• Energy is very important for our daily life – cooking, travelling, lighting, communication, farming, and industries.

👉 👉 Energy is precious. We must use it wisely and carefully. Saving energy means saving the Earth’s resources for future generations. 

Chapter 8. Clothes—How Things are Made 

This chapter explains that clothes protect us from heat, cold, rain, and dust while also reflecting our culture and traditions. They are made from natural fibres like cotton, jute, wool, and silk, and synthetic fibres such as nylon and polyester. The process of making clothes goes from fibre → yarn → fabric → clothes through spinning, weaving, and stitching. We wear different clothes in different seasons—cotton in summer, wool in winter, and raincoats during rains. India’s traditional dresses like saree, kurta-pajama, and salwar-kameez show its cultural richness. Taking good care of clothes by washing, drying, and ironing keeps them clean and long-lasting. 

Key Points

• Clothes protect us from heat, cold, rain, and dust.

• They also show our culture, tradition, and identity.

• Sources of fibres:

  • Natural fibres → Cotton (plant), Jute (plant), Wool (sheep, goat), Silk (silkworm).

  • Synthetic fibres → Nylon, Polyester, Rayon (made in factories).

• Process of making clothes:

  Fibre → Yarn → Fabric → Clothes.

• Workers spin cotton into thread and weave or knit it into fabric.

•  Weavers weave silk threads into silk fabric.

• People shear, clean, spin, and weave wool to make warm clothes.

• Different clothes for different seasons:

  • Cotton in summer (keeps us cool).

  • Wool in winter (keeps us warm).

  • Raincoats/umbrella in rainy season (waterproof).

• Traditional clothes in India: Saree, Dhoti, Kurta-Pajama, Salwar-Kameez, Turban.

• Clothing industries use machines for spinning, weaving, dyeing, and stitching.

• Care of clothes: Wash, dry in sunlight, iron, fold, and keep clean. 

👉 👉 Clothes are made from nature as well as man-made sources. We must respect the resources, avoid waste, and take good care of our clothes. 

Chapter 9. Rhythms of Nature  

This chapter explains that nature moves in beautiful rhythms such as day and night, changing seasons, and shifting weather patterns. Day and night occur due to Earth’s rotation, while seasons result from its revolution around the Sun and tilted axis—bringing summer, winter, rainy, and spring/autumn seasons. Plants and animals also follow these cycles; birds migrate, animals hibernate, and plants shed or bloom with the seasons. Human life—farming, festivals, and daily routines—depends on these natural rhythms. While weather refers to daily changes, climate describes long-term patterns. Pollution and deforestation disturb this balance, leading to climate change, so we must protect and respect nature’s cycles to keep Earth healthy and harmonious. 

Key Points

• Nature follows rhythms/cycles – day & night, seasons, weather changes.

• Day & Night: Caused by Earth’s rotation on its axis (24 hours).

• Seasons: Caused by Earth’s revolution around the Sun (365 days) + tilted axis.

  • Summer – Hot, long days, short nights.

  • Winter – Cold, short days, long nights.

  • Rainy/Monsoon – Heavy rainfall, greenery everywhere.

  • Autumn/Spring – Transition seasons.

• Animals & Plants follow rhythms:

  • Birds migrate in certain seasons.

  • Animals hibernate in winter.

  • Plants shed leaves in autumn, bloom in spring.

• Human life depends on rhythms: Farming, festivals, food supply, daily activities.

• Weather vs Climate:

  • Weather = short-term (daily conditions).

  • Climate = long-term (average of years).

• Importance of balance: Pollution & deforestation disturb natural rhythms → climate change.

👉 👉 Nature’s rhythms guide life on Earth. We must protect the environment and live in harmony with these natural cycles. 

Chapter 10. Earth—Our Shared Home   

This chapter explains that Earth is our shared home and the only known planet that supports life because it has air, water, and a suitable temperature. The lithosphere (land) gives us soil, minerals, forests, and shelter; the hydrosphere (water) covers about 71% of Earth’s surface and is essential for life and transport; and the atmosphere (air) provides oxygen, carbon dioxide, and protection from the Sun’s harmful rays. Together, these form the biosphere, where all living things exist in interdependence—plants, animals, and humans rely on each other for food, air, and balance. However, human actions like pollution, deforestation, and overuse of resources are harming Earth. To protect our planet, we must follow the 3Rs—Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, and live responsibly to keep Earth healthy for future generations. 

Key Points

• Earth is the only known planet with life due to air, water, and suitable temperature.

• Land, water, and air are the three main components that support life.

• Land (Lithosphere): Provides soil for plants, minerals, forests, and places to live.

• Water (Hydrosphere): Covers 71% of Earth’s surface; essential for drinking, farming, transport, and aquatic life.

• Air (Atmosphere): Provides oxygen for breathing, carbon dioxide for plants, and protects Earth from harmful Sun rays.

• Diversity of life: Earth is home to millions of plants, animals, and humans.

• Interdependence: Plants, animals, and humans depend on each other for food, oxygen, and balance of nature.

• Environmental issues: Pollution, deforestation, overuse of resources, and climate change threaten Earth.

• Conservation is necessary: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (3Rs) help protect Earth.

👉 👉 Earth is our shared home. We must take care of it, protect its resources, and live responsibly to ensure a safe future for all living beings.