Going to the Mela — Class 3 EVS (CBSE)
From the current NCERT Our Wondrous World Grade 3 book, Unit 1: Our Families and Communities, Chapter 2. A trip to a lively mela teaches us about community, safety, and our senses.
1. Why this chapter matters
A mela (fair) is a place where the whole community comes together for fun. Visiting one teaches children about planning, safety, using our senses, buying things, caring for elders, and keeping shared places clean.
2. Key ideas
- A mela is a big fair with games, rides, food, and many stalls where the community gathers.
- We plan before going (pack a bag, get ready) and follow safety rules (watch for vehicles, do not put hands out of windows, wash hands before eating).
- At the mela we buy things like toys and bangles, and we use money.
- We use all our senses — we see colourful stalls, hear music, smell and taste foods like gol gappa, chaat, jalebi, and kulfi.
- We care for elders (for example, a wheelchair for grandmother) and respect public helpers like the police and ambulance staff.
- We keep the mela clean by putting waste in dustbins.
3. Let's understand
When a family goes to a mela, the fun begins with planning — packing water, money, and getting everyone ready. On the way, we follow safety rules: watch for vehicles and keep our hands inside the bus or car.
At the mela, there is so much to enjoy! Children ride the merry-go-round and the giant wheel, watch a magic show, and eat tasty treats. Every stall is full of colours, sounds, and smells — the mela is a feast for our senses.
A mela is also about caring and sharing. We help elders, like pushing grandmother's wheelchair, and we feel safe knowing police and ambulance helpers are there. Before we leave, we put our wrappers in the dustbin to keep the mela clean for everyone.
4. New words
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| mela | a fair where many people gather for fun and shopping |
| stall | a small shop or counter at a fair |
| community | all the people who live in an area |
| safety | keeping ourselves and others from harm |
| senses | seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, and touching |
5. Activity corner
Imagine your own mela. Draw three stalls and write:
- What you would see, hear, and smell there
- One thing you would buy
- One safety rule you would follow
6. Common mistakes
- Mistake: Thinking a mela is only about food and rides. Fix: A mela is also about community, safety, helping elders, and cleanliness.
- Mistake: Forgetting safety and hygiene rules. Fix: Watch for vehicles, hold an elder's hand, and wash hands before eating.
- Mistake: Leaving waste on the ground. Fix: Put wrappers and waste in the dustbin.
7. Let Us Think
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What is a mela? A big fair where the community gathers for games, rides, food, and shopping.
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Name two safety rules to follow on the way to a mela. Watch for vehicles and keep your hands inside the bus or car (and hold an elder's hand).
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Which of our senses do we use at a mela? All of them — we see, hear, smell, taste, and touch.
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How can we care for elders at a mela? By helping them walk, holding their hand, or arranging a wheelchair.
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How do we keep a mela clean? By putting wrappers and waste in the dustbins.
8. Answer key
- A community fair with games, rides, food, and stalls.
- Watch for vehicles; keep hands inside the vehicle.
- Seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, and touching.
- By helping them move safely, such as with a wheelchair.
- By putting waste in dustbins.
9. Quick revision
- A mela is a community fair with stalls, rides, and food.
- Plan ahead and follow safety and hygiene rules.
- We use all five senses at a mela.
- Care for elders and respect public helpers like police and ambulance.
- Keep the mela clean by using dustbins.
Unit 1: Our Families and Communities
This chapter is part of Unit 1: Our Families and Communities. The three chapters in this unit are:
- Chapter 1: Family and Friends
- Chapter 2: Going to the Mela
- Chapter 3: Celebrating Festivals
