Lesson Plan: The Smart Monkey
Class 2 English (Mridang) Unit 4: Life Around Us
Lesson Overview
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Lesson | The Smart Monkey (Chapter 5) |
| Class | 2 |
| Subject | English (L2 – Second Language) |
| Unit | 4: Life Around Us |
| Duration | 5 Days (30–35 minutes per day) |
| Page Reference | Pages 90-97 |
| Curricular Goals (NCF-FS) | CG 9.3 (converses fluently), CG 9.5 (comprehends and narrates stories), CG 9.6 (identifies characters), CG 9.7 (uses enough words for daily interactions), CG 9.4 (understands instructions), CG 11.1 (phonological awareness) |
Introduction
“The Smart Monkey” (Pages 90-97) is the fifth chapter of Unit 4: Life Around Us in the Mridang Class 2 English textbook. This engaging story teaches children about the importance of cleanliness and responsibility through the actions of a smart monkey.
The story revolves around:
- Anju and Farida – two girls who go to the market
- They buy groundnuts and juice
- They sit under a tree to rest and eat
- A monkey on the branch watches them
- The monkey eats a banana and throws the peel in the dustbin
- The girls feel ashamed when they see the monkey’s good behaviour
- They pick up their litter and throw it in the dustbin
The chapter emphasizes:
- Cleanliness and hygiene – not throwing litter on the ground
- Responsibility – keeping our surroundings clean
- Learning from others – even animals can teach us good habits
- Environmental awareness – using dustbins
- Teamwork – helping each other to keep places clean
The chapter also includes activities related to:
- Drawing things used to clean the house
- Answering questions about cleanliness
- Syllable clapping with names
- Completing sentences from the story
- Project work – visiting a shop and sharing experiences
- Phonics practice – ‘cl’ and ‘bl’ blends
Learning Objectives (सीखने के उद्देश्य)
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
- Listen to and understand the story “The Smart Monkey.” (कहानी सुन और समझ सकेंगे।)
- Identify the characters – Anju, Farida, and the monkey. (पात्रों को पहचान सकेंगे – Anju, Farida और बंदर।)
- Understand the importance of cleanliness and using dustbins. (स्वच्छता और डस्टबिन के उपयोग का महत्व समझ सकेंगे।)
- Sequence the events of the story in the correct order. (कहानी की घटनाओं को सही क्रम में लगा सकेंगे।)
- Answer comprehension questions about the story. (कहानी से संबंधित प्रश्नों के उत्तर दे सकेंगे।)
- Draw things used to clean the house. (घर की सफाई के लिए उपयोग होने वाली चीज़ों का चित्र बना सकेंगे।)
- Identify good habits for keeping the environment clean. (पर्यावरण को स्वच्छ रखने के लिए अच्छी आदतों की पहचान कर सकेंगे।)
- Clap syllables in their names and other words. (अपने नाम और अन्य शब्दों में syllables की ताली बजा सकेंगे।)
- Recognize and use ‘cl’ and ‘bl’ blends. (‘cl’ और ‘bl’ blends को पहचान और उपयोग कर सकेंगे।)
Key Vocabulary (मुख्य शब्दावली)
Story-Specific Words (कहानी से संबंधित शब्द)
| English | Hindi |
|---|---|
| Market | बाजार (Bazaar) |
| Shopping | खरीदारी (Kharidari) |
| Groundnuts | मूंगफली (Moongphali) |
| Packet | पैकेट (Packet) |
| Juice | जूस (Juice) |
| Bottle | बोतल (Bottle) |
| Bench | बेंच (Bench) |
| Branch | डाली (Dali) |
| Peel | छिलका (Chhilka) |
| Dustbin | कूड़ेदान (Koodedaan) |
| Threw | फेंका (Phenka) |
| Empty | खाली (Khaali) |
| Ashamed | शर्मिंदा (Sharminda) |
| Nearby | पास में (Paas mein) |
| Clever | चालाक (Chaalak) |
| Smart | समझदार (Samajhdaar) |
Cleaning Items (सफाई की चीज़ें)
| English | Hindi |
|---|---|
| Broom | झाड़ू (Jhaadoo) |
| Mop | पोछा (Pochha) |
| Dustbin | कूड़ेदान (Koodedaan) |
| Cloth | कपड़ा (Kapda) |
| Bucket | बाल्टी (Balti) |
| Soap | साबुन (Sabun) |
| Water | पानी (Pani) |
New Words (नए शब्द)
| English | Hindi |
|---|---|
| Groundnuts | मूंगफली |
| Branch | डाली |
| Peel | छिलका |
| Dustbin | कूड़ेदान |
| Empty | खाली |
| Ashamed | शर्मिंदा |
| Nearby | पास में |
Sight Words (दृश्य शब्द)
then, down, on, and, with, in, them, under, nearby
Blends (Blends)
| Blend | Examples |
|---|---|
| cl | clock, clean, close, cloth |
| bl | blue, black, blanket, blow |
Day-Wise Lesson Plan
Day 1: Introduction to the Story (कहानी का परिचय)
Duration: 30 minutes
| Time | Activity | Hindi Term / Instruction | Teacher’s Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 min | Warm-up | शुभ प्रभात! (Shubh Prabhat!) | Greet students. Ask: “Do you throw rubbish on the ground?” (क्या तुम कूड़ा ज़मीन पर फेंकते हो?) “Where should we throw rubbish?” (कूड़ा कहाँ फेंकना चाहिए?) |
| 5 min | Pre-listening | आज क्या सीखेंगे? (Aaj kya seekhenge?) | Show the picture on Page 90. Ask: “What do you see?” (A monkey, two girls) “Today we will read a story about a smart monkey who teaches us about cleanliness!” |
| 10 min | Story Narration (Part 1) | कहानी सुनो (Kahani suno) | Narrate the first part of the story (Pages 90-91): Anju and Farida go to the market, buy groundnuts and juice, sit under a tree to rest. |
| 5 min | Vocabulary Introduction | नए शब्द सीखो (Naye shabd seekho) | Introduce key words: market, shopping, groundnuts, packet, juice, bottle, bench, branch, peel, dustbin. |
| 5 min | Wrap-up | आज क्या सीखा? (Aaj kya seekha?) | Ask: “Who are the girls?” (Anju and Farida) “What did they buy?” (Groundnuts and juice) “Where did they sit?” (Under a tree) |
Story Summary (Part 1 – Pages 90-91):
One day Anju and Farida went to the market. Anju bought a bag and Farida bought a water bottle. Later, they went to a shop and bought a packet of groundnuts and a bottle of juice.
They felt tired. They sat on a bench under a tree to rest. There was a monkey on the branch of the tree above them.
Farida and Anju did not see the monkey. They took out their food from the bag and began to eat. The monkey had a banana. He peeled the banana and ate it.
Key Characters – Part 1:
| Character | Hindi | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Anju | अंजु | Bought a bag |
| Farida | फरीदा | Bought a water bottle |
| Monkey | बंदर | Sitting on the branch |
Hindi Instructions to Use:
- “Kahaani suno” (कहानी सुनो) – Listen to the story
- “Anju aur Farida kahan gaye?” (Anju और Farida कहाँ गए?) – Where did Anju and Farida go?
- “Unhone kya khareeda?” (उन्होंने क्या खरीदा?) – What did they buy?
- “Bandar kahan tha?” (बंदर कहाँ था?) – Where was the monkey?
Day 2: Story Narration (Part 2) and Comprehension (कहानी का दूसरा भाग और समझ)
Duration: 30 minutes
| Time | Activity | Hindi Term / Instruction | Teacher’s Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 min | Revision | कल क्या सीखा? (Kal kya seekha?) | Quick recall: “What did Anju and Farida buy?” “Where did they sit?” |
| 10 min | Story Narration (Part 2) | कहानी पूरी सुनो (Kahani puri suno) | Narrate the rest of the story (Pages 91-92): The girls eat their food and throw packets down. The monkey climbs down and throws the banana peel in the dustbin. The girls see this, feel ashamed, and pick up their litter. |
| 5 min | Comprehension Questions | प्रश्न-उत्तर (Prashn-uttar) | Ask questions from Page 93: “Have you seen people throwing packets or bottles in the park or on the road?” “After having biscuits, what do you do with the wrapper?” “Imagine you are sitting under a tree. What do you see on the tree?” “Is there a dustbin in your school?” |
| 5 min | Vocabulary Review | शब्द अभ्यास (Shabd abhyas) | Review: groundnuts, packet, juice, bottle, branch, peel, dustbin, threw, empty, ashamed. |
| 5 min | Wrap-up | आज क्या सीखा? | Ask: “What did the monkey do?” (He threw the peel in the dustbin) “How did the girls feel?” (Ashamed) “What did they do?” (They picked up their litter) |
Story Summary (Part 2 – Pages 91-92):
Farida and Anju took out the groundnuts and started eating. They threw the packet down. Then they drank the juice and threw down the bottle.
Just then, the monkey climbed down the tree with the banana peel. There was a dustbin nearby. The monkey threw the banana peel into the dustbin.
Farida and Anju saw this and felt ashamed. They picked up the packet and the empty bottle and threw them into the dustbin.
Key Events Sequence:
| Order | Event |
|---|---|
| 1 | Anju and Farida eat groundnuts and throw the packet |
| 2 | They drink juice and throw the bottle |
| 3 | Monkey climbs down with banana peel |
| 4 | Monkey throws peel in the dustbin |
| 5 | Girls see this and feel ashamed |
| 6 | Girls pick up their litter and throw it in the dustbin |
Comprehension Questions (Page 93):
| Question | Expected Answer |
|---|---|
| Have you seen people throwing packets or bottles in the park or on the road? | Yes, I have seen people throwing packets. / No, I haven’t. |
| After having biscuits, what do you do with the wrapper? | I throw the wrapper in the dustbin. |
| Imagine you are sitting under a tree. What do you see on the tree? | I see leaves, branches, birds, monkeys. |
| Is there a dustbin in your school? | Yes, there is a dustbin in my school. |
Hindi Instructions to Use:
- “Girls ne kya kiya?” (Girls ने क्या किया?) – What did the girls do?
- “Bandar ne kya kiya?” (बंदर ने क्या किया?) – What did the monkey do?
- “Girls ko kaisa laga?” (Girls को कैसा लगा?) – How did the girls feel?
- “Kya seekha?” (क्या सीखा?) – What did you learn?
Day 3: Drawing and Speaking Activities (चित्रकारी और बातचीत गतिविधियाँ)
Duration: 30 minutes
| Time | Activity | Hindi Term / Instruction | Teacher’s Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 min | Revision | पुनरावृत्ति (Punaravritti) | Quick story recall. Ask: “What did the monkey teach us?” |
| 15 min | Drawing Activity | चित्र बनाओ (Chitra banao) | Use Page 93: “Draw any three things that you use to clean your house.” Students draw: broom, mop, dustbin, cloth, bucket, soap, water. |
| 5 min | Speaking Practice | बातचीत (Baatcheet) | Use Page 93: Discuss the questions in “Let us speak.” “Have you seen people throwing packets or bottles in the park or on the road? Talk about it.” “After having biscuits, what do you do with the wrapper?” “Imagine you are sitting under a tree. What do you see on the tree?” “Is there a dustbin in your school? Do you know where it is?” |
| 5 min | Wrap-up | आज क्या सीखा? | Ask: “What things do we use to clean our house?” “Why is it important to use a dustbin?” |
Drawing Activity (Page 93 A):
| Thing | Hindi | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Broom | झाड़ू | Sweeping the floor |
| Mop | पोछा | Mopping the floor |
| Dustbin | कूड़ेदान | Throwing rubbish |
| Cloth | कपड़ा | Cleaning surfaces |
| Bucket | बाल्टी | Carrying water |
| Soap | साबुन | Washing hands/things |
| Water | पानी | Cleaning everything |
Speaking Practice (Page 93):
| Question | Possible Answer |
|---|---|
| Have you seen people throwing packets or bottles in the park or on the road? | Yes, I have seen people throwing packets. I tell them not to do that. |
| After having biscuits, what do you do with the wrapper? | I throw the wrapper in the dustbin. |
| Imagine you are sitting under a tree. What do you see on the tree? | I see birds, leaves, branches, and monkeys. |
| Is there a dustbin in your school? | Yes, there is a dustbin in my school. |
Hindi Instructions to Use:
- “Safai ke liye kya use karte ho?” (सफाई के लिए क्या use करते हो?) – What do you use for cleaning?
- “Kooda kahan phenkte ho?” (कूड़ा कहाँ फेंकते हो?) – Where do you throw rubbish?
- “Kya seekha?” (क्या सीखा?) – What did you learn?
Day 4: Syllables, Phonics, and Comprehension (Syllables, ध्वनि और समझ)
Duration: 30 minutes
| Time | Activity | Hindi Term / Instruction | Teacher’s Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 min | Revision | दोहराव (Dohrav) | Quick recall of the story and cleaning items. |
| 10 min | Syllable Clapping Activity | शब्दांश ताली (Shabdaansh taali) | Use Page 94: “Close your eyes and listen to your teacher say the following words. Say your name, clapping for each syllable of the name. How many times did you clap?” Practice: Anju (2), Farida (3), monkey (2), banana (3), packet (2), bottle (2), dustbin (2), market (2), groundnuts (2). |
| 10 min | Comprehension and Fill-ups | प्रश्न-उत्तर और रिक्त स्थान (Prashn-uttar aur rikt sthaan) | Use Page 95: Answer true/false questions and complete sentences. |
| 5 min | Wrap-up | आज क्या सीखा? | Ask: “How many claps for your name?” “What is the correct sentence about the story?” |
Syllable Clapping Activity (Page 94):
| Word | Syllables | Claps |
|---|---|---|
| Anju | 2 (An-ju) | 👏👏 |
| Farida | 3 (Fa-ri-da) | 👏👏👏 |
| Monkey | 2 (Mon-key) | 👏👏 |
| Banana | 3 (Ba-na-na) | 👏👏👏 |
| Packet | 2 (Pa-cket) | 👏👏 |
| Bottle | 2 (Bot-tle) | 👏👏 |
| Dustbin | 2 (Dust-bin) | 👏👏 |
| Market | 2 (Mar-ket) | 👏👏 |
| Groundnuts | 2 (Ground-nuts) | 👏👏 |
True/False Questions (Page 95 A):
| Statement | True/False |
|---|---|
| Anju and Farida went to their school. | False (They went to the market) |
| Anju bought a bag and Farida bought a water bottle. | True |
| There was a bird on the branch of the tree. | False (There was a monkey) |
| The monkey had a banana. | True |
| The monkey threw the banana peel in the dustbin. | True |
Complete the Sentences (Page 95 B):
| Sentence | Answer |
|---|---|
| Farida and Anju sat on ______ under the tree to rest. | a bench |
| There was a monkey sitting ______ of the tree. | on the branch |
| The two girls had a ______ of juice. | bottle |
| The monkey threw the ______ into ______. | peel / the dustbin |
Hindi Instructions to Use:
- “Apne naam ki taali” (अपने नाम की ताली) – Clap for your name
- “Sahi ya galat?” (सही या गलत?) – True or false?
- “Khaali jagah bharo” (खाली जगह भरो) – Fill in the blanks
Day 5: Project Work, Blends, Assessment, and Celebration (परियोजना कार्य, Blends, मूल्यांकन और उत्सव)
Duration: 30 minutes
| Time | Activity | Hindi Term / Instruction | Teacher’s Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 min | Revision | पुनरावृत्ति (Punaravritti) | Full story recall. Quick syllable clapping. |
| 10 min | Project Work – Visit to a Shop | परियोजना कार्य (Pariyojana karya) | Use Page 96: “Have you ever gone to a nearby shop with your family members? Share your experiences in the class. You may also draw or paste pictures of some of the things you liked in the shop, in the box given below.” |
| 5 min | Blends Activity | Blends अभ्यास | Use Page 97: “Look at the pictures. Read the words below each picture.” Practice ‘cl’ and ‘bl’ blends: clock, clean, close, cloth, blue, black, blanket. |
| 5 min | Speaking Assessment | बातचीत परीक्षण (Baatcheet parikshan) | Call students one by one. Ask: “What did the monkey teach us?” “Where should we throw rubbish?” “What things do you use to clean your house?” |
| 5 min | Wrap-up & Celebration | समापन और शाबाशी (Samaapan aur Shabashi) | Sing the “The Crow” poem or any favourite. Clap for all students. Celebrate their learning! |
Project Work – Visit to a Shop (Page 96):
| Step | English | Hindi |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tell your class about a visit to a shop. | कक्षा को दुकान की यात्रा के बारे में बताओ। |
| 2 | Draw or paste pictures of things you liked. | जो चीज़ें पसंद आईं, उनके चित्र बनाओ या चिपकाओ। |
| 3 | Share your experience. | अपना अनुभव साझा करो। |
Blends Activity (Page 97):
| Blend | Words | Hindi |
|---|---|---|
| cl | clock, clean, close, cloth | घड़ी, साफ़, बंद, कपड़ा |
| bl | blue, black, blanket | नीला, काला, कंबल |
Sentence Writing (Page 97):
| Sentence | Example |
|---|---|
| There is a clock in the classroom. | There is a clock in the classroom. |
| The sky is blue. | The sky is blue. |
| I have a black bag. | I have a black bag. |
Speaking Assessment Questions:
| Question | Expected Answer |
|---|---|
| What did the monkey teach us? | The monkey taught us to throw rubbish in the dustbin. |
| Where should we throw rubbish? | We should throw rubbish in the dustbin. |
| What things do you use to clean your house? | I use a broom, mop, and dustbin. |
| Why did the girls feel ashamed? | They felt ashamed because the monkey showed them the right thing to do. |
| What is your favourite story? | My favourite story is “The Smart Monkey.” |
Writing Assessment:
| Dictation Word | Expected Spelling |
|---|---|
| Monkey | M-O-N-K-E-Y |
| Dustbin | D-U-S-T-B-I-N |
| Banana | B-A-N-A-N-A |
| Packet | P-A-C-K-E-T |
| Bottle | B-O-T-T-L-E |
| Branch | B-R-A-N-C-H |
Assessment Checklist (मूल्यांकन सूची):
| Skill | Criteria | Yes/No |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | Listens to the story attentively | ☐ |
| Comprehension | Answers 4+ questions correctly | ☐ |
| Story Recall | Names characters and key events | ☐ |
| Vocabulary | Names 5+ new words | ☐ |
| Cleanliness Awareness | Explains importance of using dustbins | ☐ |
| Syllables | Claps syllables in words | ☐ |
| Blends | Identifies ‘cl’ and ‘bl’ blends | ☐ |
| Speaking | Answers questions in complete sentences | ☐ |
| Drawing | Draws cleaning items | ☐ |
Additional Activities (अतिरिक्त गतिविधियाँ)
| Activity | Description | Hindi Instruction |
|---|---|---|
| Classroom Cleanliness Drive | Organize a cleanliness drive in the classroom. Students pick up rubbish and throw it in the dustbin. | “Classroom safai abhiyan.” (कक्षा सफाई अभियान।) |
| Make a Dustbin | Make a small dustbin using paper or cardboard. Decorate it. | “Koodedaan banao.” (कूड़ेदान बनाओ।) |
| Cleanliness Pledge | Students take a pledge: “I will always throw rubbish in the dustbin. I will keep my surroundings clean.” | “Safai ki shapath lo.” (सफाई की शपथ लो।) |
| Story Narration | Students narrate the story in their own words. | “Kahani sunao.” (कहानी सुनाओ।) |
| Role Play | Students act out the story. One is Anju, one is Farida, one is the monkey. | “Natak karo.” (नाटक करो।) |
| Cleaning Items Hunt | Find cleaning items in the school or home. Name them in English. | “Safai ki cheezein dhundo.” (सफाई की चीज़ें ढूंढो।) |
| Blends Game | Teacher says a word with ‘cl’ or ‘bl’, students identify the blend. | “Blend pahchano.” (Blend पहचानो।) |
Resources Needed (आवश्यक सामग्री)
- Textbook: Mridang Class 2 English (Pages 90-97)
- Pictures of: monkey, banana, dustbin, groundnuts, packet, bottle
- Flashcards: new words and characters
- Flashcards: ‘cl’ and ‘bl’ blends
- Drawing sheets and crayons
- Notebooks and pencils for writing practice
- Chart paper for cleanliness pledge
- Real objects: dustbin (small), packets, bottles (optional)
- Craft materials for making dustbin
Integration with Indian Knowledge System (भारतीय ज्ञान परंपरा से जुड़ाव)
- Cleanliness in Indian Culture: Cleanliness (स्वच्छता) is an important value in Indian culture. It is considered next to godliness. Many rituals and traditions emphasize cleanliness.
- Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: India’s national cleanliness campaign “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan” (Clean India Mission) encourages everyone to keep their surroundings clean. This story aligns perfectly with this mission.
- Monkeys in Indian Culture: Monkeys are associated with Lord Hanuman, who is known for his wisdom and strength. The monkey in the story is “smart” and teaches us a lesson.
- Indian Values: The story teaches the Indian value of respecting the environment and keeping public places clean.
- Dustbins in India: In Indian cities and villages, dustbins are placed in public spaces. The story encourages children to use them.
Note to the Teacher (शिक्षक के लिए नोट)
- Let children know that groundnuts are also known as peanuts.
- Encourage children to share their experiences in English. They may use a few words in their mother tongue and later move to speaking completely in English.
- Encourage children to share what they like and what they do not like during shopping.
- Ensure that children say the blends correctly. Provide regular exercise of the above blends.
- Help children develop good habits – throwing rubbish in the dustbin, keeping surroundings clean.
- Connect to real life – ask children about dustbins in their school and homes.
- Make the cleanliness message strong – discuss how we can keep our school, home, and city clean.
Links to Other Curricular Areas (पाठ्यक्रम के अन्य क्षेत्रों से जुड़ाव)
| Area | Connection |
|---|---|
| Environmental Studies (EVS) | Cleanliness, waste management, environment, hygiene |
| Art & Craft | Drawing cleaning items, making dustbin |
| Social Studies | Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, community service |
| Values Education | Cleanliness, responsibility, learning from others |
| Language Development | Vocabulary building, blends, sentence formation |
| Life Skills | Keeping surroundings clean, using dustbins |
Quick Reference Card
Key Characters:
Anju, Farida, Smart Monkey
Key Actions:
Girls → Eat, throw packets
Monkey → Eats banana, throws peel in dustbin
Girls → Feel ashamed, pick up litter
Key Message:
“Always throw rubbish in the dustbin. Keep your surroundings clean!”
Key Cleaning Items:
Broom, Mop, Dustbin, Cloth, Bucket, Soap, Water
Key Blends:
cl: clock, clean, cloth
bl: blue, black, blanket

Mani Sir एक अनुभवी शिक्षक, शिक्षा मार्गदर्शक और डिजिटल शिक्षा सामग्री निर्माता हैं। वे प्रतियोगी परीक्षाओं तथा विद्यालयी शिक्षा के लिए सरल, तथ्यपूर्ण और परीक्षा-उपयोगी अध्ययन सामग्री तैयार करने के लिए जाने जाते हैं। उनका उद्देश्य कठिन विषयों को आसान भाषा में समझाकर विद्यार्थियों की सफलता सुनिश्चित करना है।
वे विशेष रूप से Prayas आवासीय विद्यालय, जवाहर नवोदय विद्यालय (JNVST), एकलव्य मॉडल आवासीय विद्यालय (EMRS), SCERT, CG Board, CTET, तथा अन्य शैक्षिक परीक्षाओं के लिए नोट्स, मॉडल प्रश्नपत्र, MCQ, माइंड मैप, चार्ट, अध्ययन सामग्री और वीडियो लेक्चर तैयार करते हैं।
