Environmental Studies · Class 5 · Travel · Term 3

Life on the Move

Discover the stories of people and communities who are always on the move, like nomadic tribes or migrant workers, and understand their unique lifestyles.

TL;DR:Let's embark on a journey to understand our country's people who are always on the move, from the high mountains to our bustling cities.

• CBSE Learning Outcomes
• NCERT EVS Curriculum Framework: Class V - Travel

About This Topic

This topic, 'Life on the Move', aligns with the National Curriculum Framework's (NCF) emphasis on sensitising children to diverse social realities within India. It moves beyond a static view of communities and introduces students to the dynamic concepts of migration and nomadism. The topic encourages an exploration of the 'why' behind movement, connecting it to environmental factors (seasonal changes, availability of resources), economic necessities (search for livelihood), and social circumstances (displacement due to development projects). By examining the lives of communities like the Bakarwals of Jammu and Kashmir, who undertake seasonal transhumance, or the Gadia Lohars, the blacksmiths on wheels, students can appreciate nomadism as a sustainable and culturally rich way of life, not as homelessness.

Furthermore, the topic addresses the contemporary and highly relevant issue of labour migration, a significant phenomenon in India's social fabric. It provides an opportunity to foster empathy by discussing the challenges faced by migrant workers and their families, such as lack of stable housing, difficulties in accessing education and healthcare, and a sense of alienation in new cities. The goal is to help students understand interdependence, respect different ways of living, and develop a nuanced perspective on social diversity and inequality, which are core tenets of Environmental Studies at the primary level.

Key Questions

1. Explain why some communities move from one place to another.
2. Compare the life of a person in a settled home with that of a nomad.
3. Analyse the challenges faced by migrant labourers when they move to a new city.

Learning Objectives

• Describe at least two reasons why communities in India, like nomads or migrant workers, move from one place to another.
• Compare the housing, food, and daily work of a person in a settled home with that of a person in a nomadic community.
• Identify and explain the challenges faced by migrant families when they move to a new city, such as finding work and schooling.
• Express empathy and respect for the diverse lifestyles of mobile communities.
• Differentiate between nomadism, migration, and displacement.

Key Vocabulary

Migration	The movement of people from one place to another to live and work, either temporarily or permanently.
Nomad	A member of a community that travels from place to place for their livelihood, such as herding animals or trading.
Displacement	When people are forced to leave their homes due to reasons like the construction of a dam, a factory, or a natural disaster.
Livelihood	The way a person earns money or gets the things they need to live, like food and shelter.
Seasonal Migration	The movement of people during certain seasons of the year to find work, often related to farming or other seasonal jobs.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

People who move around are poor and don't have proper homes.

What to Teach Instead

Nomadism is a traditional and organised way of life for many communities, not a sign of poverty. While some people migrate due to economic hardship, others move for better opportunities, and their lifestyle is a choice rich in culture and skill.

Common Misconception

Nomads just wander aimlessly from place to place.

What to Teach Instead

Nomadic movements are very systematic and well-planned. They often follow ancient, seasonal routes to find food for their animals, trade goods, or avoid harsh weather, requiring deep knowledge of the environment.

Common Misconception

All people who move are the same.

What to Teach Instead

There is a big difference between various types of movement. A nomad moves as part of a traditional lifestyle, a migrant worker moves for a job, and a displaced person is forced to move due to a dam, a factory, or a disaster.

Active Learning Ideas

Role Play

My Family's Journey Map

Students interview their parents or grandparents about where their family has lived before. They then draw a simple map or timeline showing these movements, making the concept of migration personal and relatable.

45 min·Individual

Role Play

A Day in Two Lives: Role-Play

In small groups, students prepare and act out short skits depicting a typical day for a child in a settled urban home versus a child in a nomadic herding family. This helps them actively compare and contrast different lifestyles.

60 min·Small Groups

Role Play

Picture Story Analysis

Show the class a series of powerful photographs depicting migrant workers or nomadic communities. In pairs, students discuss what they see, what they think the people are feeling, and what challenges their lifestyle might present.

30 min·Pairs

Real-World Connections

• Noticing the construction workers building a new metro line or building in the city, many of whom have migrated from villages.
• Reading news about farmers from states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh travelling to Punjab for the wheat harvesting season.
• Seeing stories on TV about nomadic communities like the Gujjar-Bakarwals moving with their sheep and goats to mountain pastures in summer.
• Understanding why a classmate's family may have moved to your city because their parent got a new job.
• Discussing how big projects like dams or highways can sometimes cause people in villages to lose their homes and have to move elsewhere.

Assessment Ideas

Discussion Prompt

Use a 'Think-Pair-Share' activity where students first think individually, then discuss with a partner, and finally share with the class the reasons why people might move.

Peer Assessment

Students can create a 'suitcase of stories'. They decorate a small box like a suitcase and inside, place drawings or short notes about the life, challenges, and belongings of a child from a migrant or nomadic family.

Exit Ticket

Students complete an exit ticket with two prompts: 'One new thing I learned about people who move' and 'One question I still have'.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why don't nomadic communities just buy a house and settle down?

Their entire livelihood, culture, and social structure are built around movement. For example, herders need to find fresh pastures for their animals. Forcing them to settle can destroy their unique skills and way of life.

Is it hard for the children of migrant workers to study?

Yes, it can be very difficult. Because they move frequently, they often have to leave school in the middle of the year, face problems with admission in new schools, and sometimes have to learn in a new language.

Are there any good things about moving to a new place?

Yes, moving can lead to better job opportunities, higher income for the family, access to better education or healthcare, and the chance to learn about new places and cultures.