Chapter 6: Shelter: A Comprehensive Guide for PSTET
🌟 Learning Objectives
By the end of this chapter, teachers will be able to:
Understand the significance of the 'Shelter' theme within the EVS syllabus.
Explain the basic need for shelter and differentiate between various types of houses.
Identify and describe the different parts of a house and their functions.
Recognize the natural and man-made materials used in construction, with a focus on Punjab.
Analyze how houses in different regions are adapted to climate and culture.
Identify the shelters of various domestic and wild animals.
Differentiate between rural and urban settlements and their civic amenities.
Appreciate the historical and architectural heritage of Punjab's monuments.
Apply this knowledge to create engaging, child-centric lesson plans for primary classes.
🗺️ Introduction: The 'Shelter' Theme in EVS
In the EVS syllabus for primary classes (III-V), the curriculum is woven around six common themes, providing a holistic understanding of the environment . 'Shelter' is one of these six core themes, standing alongside 'Family and Friends', 'Food', 'Water', 'Travel', and 'Things We Make and Do' .
For a child, shelter is not just a building; it is their home, their first world. It is the kitchen where food is cooked, the bedroom where they sleep, the roof that protects them from the sun and rain, and the courtyard where they play. The EVS syllabus aims to present shelter in this holistic manner, connecting it to:
Our Bodies: The need for protection from heat, cold, rain, and wild animals.
Our Families: The different rooms where family members live and work.
Our Community: The difference between houses in a village and a city, and the civic amenities we share.
Our State: The traditional materials used in Punjabi homes and the grand historical monuments.
Our Environment: How houses are built using local materials and how they are adapted to the climate.
Animals: The shelters of the animals we see around us.
For a PSTET aspirant, understanding this interconnectedness is key. This chapter will equip you with the knowledge to teach children about shelter not just as a topic, but as a lens to understand geography, culture, history, and their own immediate environment.
🏡 6.1 Houses and Homes
🤔 Need for Shelter
Shelter is one of the three basic needs of all human beings, along with food and clothing. We need a house for several important reasons :
Protection from Weather: A house protects us from the hot sun, heavy rain, cold winds, and dust storms.
Safety and Security: It keeps us safe from wild animals and strangers.
Privacy: It gives us our own personal space where we can relax and be ourselves.
Storage: It provides a place to store our food, clothes, and other belongings.
Comfort: It is a place where we can sleep, eat, and live comfortably with our family.
🏠 Types of Houses
Houses can be broadly classified based on the materials used and the permanence of their structure.
⛺ Temporary Houses
Some houses are not meant to be permanent. They are built to be moved from one place to another.
Tents (ਤੰਬੂ): Made of thick canvas cloth. They are used by soldiers in the army, by trekkers in the mountains, and at fairs and religious gatherings. They are easy to set up and take down.
Huts (ਝੌਂਪੜੀ): Small, simple, temporary shelters made from materials like wood, bamboo, and thatch. They are often found in rural areas or on construction sites.
Houseboats (ਕਿਸ਼ਤੀ-ਘਰ): These are houses built on boats. In India, they are famous in the backwaters of Kerala and on Dal Lake in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir. People live on them permanently or use them as hotels for tourists.
🏞️ Houses in Different Regions (According to Climate)
People build their houses according to the climate of the place they live in.
| 🌍 Region/Climate | 🏠 Type of House | 🌡️ Key Features | 🎨 Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hot and Dry (Desert) | Thick-walled houses with flat roofs. | Thick walls (made of mud or stone) keep the heat out during the day and release it slowly at night. Small windows reduce the amount of hot air entering. Courtyards provide a cool, shaded space. | Houses in Rajasthan. |
| Hot and Humid (Coastal) | Houses with sloping roofs and high ceilings. | Sloping roofs allow heavy rain to run off easily. High ceilings help the hot air rise, keeping the rooms cooler. They are often made of wood and raised on stilts for protection from tides and animals. | Stilt houses in Assam and Bengal. |
| Cold (Mountains) | Houses with sloping roofs and thick walls. | Sloping roofs prevent snow from accumulating, as the weight of snow could collapse a flat roof. Thick stone or wood walls keep the house warm. Windows are small to prevent heat loss. | Wooden houses in Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. |
| Heavy Rainfall | Houses with sloping roofs and often built on stilts. | Sloping roofs ensure that rain water does not collect and cause leaks. Stilt houses (like in the Brahmaputra river valley) protect the house from floods. | Stilt houses in Assam. |
🚪 6.2 Parts of a House
A house is made up of different rooms and features, each with a specific function.
🛏️ Rooms in a House
| 🚪 Room | 📝 Purpose / Function |
|---|---|
| Kitchen (ਰਸੋਈ) | For cooking food. It needs a stove, water, and shelves for utensils and food items. |
| Bedroom (ਸੌਣ ਦਾ ਕਮਰਾ) | For sleeping and resting. It contains a bed, cupboard for clothes, and sometimes a study table. |
| Bathroom (ਗੁਸਲਖ਼ਾਨਾ) & Toilet (ਸ਼ੌਚਾਲਾ) | For bathing and using the toilet. It needs a water supply and proper drainage. |
| Living Room (ਬੈਠਕ) | For sitting, relaxing, and entertaining guests. It is often the largest room in the house. |
| Dining Room (ਖਾਣੇ ਦਾ ਕਮਰਾ) | A specific room for eating meals together as a family. In many houses, this is part of the kitchen or living room. |
| Store Room (ਸਟੋਰ ਰੂਮ) | For storing extra items, old furniture, grains, and pickles. |
🪟 Key Features of a House
Doors (ਦਰਵਾਜ਼ੇ): Allow us to enter and exit a room or the house. They also provide privacy and security.
Windows (ਖਿੜਕੀਆਂ): Let in fresh air and sunlight. They also allow us to see outside. Ventilators are small windows near the ceiling that let out hot air and bring in cool air.
Balcony (ਬਾਲਕੋਨੀ): A platform projecting from the wall of a building, enclosed by a balustrade. It is a place to relax and get some fresh air.
Terrace (ਛੱਤ): The flat part on top of a house. It can be used for drying clothes, playing, or relaxing in the evening.
Roof (ਛੱਤ): The top covering of a house that protects it from rain, sun, and snow. It can be flat or sloping.
Walls (ਕੰਧਾਂ): The vertical structures that support the roof and divide the house into rooms. They provide privacy and protection.
Floor (ਫਰਸ਼): The surface we walk on inside the house. It can be made of mud, stone, cement, marble, or tiles.
Drainage System (ਨਿਕਾਸ ਪ੍ਰਣਾਲੀ): A network of pipes that carries wastewater from the kitchen, bathroom, and toilet out of the house to the main sewer line or a septic tank. It is essential for keeping the house clean and healthy.
🧱 6.3 Materials Used for Building Houses
Houses are built using a variety of materials, which can be broadly classified into natural and man-made.
🌿 Natural Materials
These are materials obtained directly from nature.
🏭 Man-Made Materials
These are materials that are processed or manufactured by humans.
| 🏭 Material | 📝 Description | 🏠 Use in House |
|---|---|---|
| Bricks (ਇੱਟਾਂ) | Made by baking clay in a kiln. They are strong, uniform, and durable. | The primary material for building walls in pucca houses. |
| Cement (ਸੀਮੈਂਟ) | A fine powder made from limestone and clay. When mixed with water and sand/aggregate, it acts as a binder. | Used to make concrete and mortar for binding bricks and stones. |
| Iron (ਲੋਹਾ) | A strong metal. | Used to make concrete reinforcement (iron rods, or sariya), beams, columns, gates, and grills. |
| Glass (ਸ਼ੀਸ਼ਾ) | A hard, transparent material made from sand. | Used for making windows, doors, and ventilators to allow light in. |
| Plastic (ਪਲਾਸਟਿਕ) | A synthetic polymer. | Used for making pipes, fittings, wires, and paint. |
🇮🇳 Local Materials Used in Punjab
In traditional Punjabi homes, especially in villages, local materials were extensively used :
Mud: The primary material for walls, often decorated with colorful paintings of flowers, birds, and animals.
Cob, Rammed Earth, Adobe, Wattle and Daub: These were traditional techniques using mud mixed with straw or other fibers to create strong and durable walls .
Bricks (Naal - ਨਾਲ): Locally made baked bricks were used for the foundation and plinth.
Wood (Sheesham/Tahli - ਤਾਹਲੀ): Highly prized for making doors, windows (khidki), and the main entrance door (darwaza), which were often ornately carved .
🌍 Eco-Friendly Building Materials
With growing environmental awareness, there is a push towards using sustainable materials.
Compressed Earth Blocks: Similar to mud bricks but compressed for greater strength.
Bamboo: A rapidly renewable resource.
Fly Ash Bricks: Made from the waste product of thermal power plants, reducing the need for clay.
Recycled Materials: Using wood, metal, and plastic from demolished buildings.
Thatch and Palm Leaves: Sustainable roofing options in certain regions.
🏯 6.4 Houses in Different Cultures
India's diverse culture is beautifully reflected in its traditional architecture.
🕌 Traditional Houses of India
| 🏯 Type | 🗺️ Region | 📝 Description |
|---|---|---|
| Havelis | Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab | Grand, often multi-storied mansions built around a central courtyard. They were the homes of wealthy merchants and nobles. They feature intricate carvings, frescoes, and jharokhas (overhanging enclosed balconies). |
| Toda Huts | Nilgiri Hills, Tamil Nadu | Barrel-vaulted, windowless huts made of bamboo and rattan, thatched with grass. They are the traditional homes of the Toda tribe. |
| Stilt Houses (Chang Ghar) | Assam, North-East India | Built on bamboo or wooden stilts to protect them from floods, wild animals, and insects. They are common in the Brahmaputra river valley. |
| Kashmiri Wooden Houses | Kashmir | Houses made of wood, often with sloping roofs to allow snow to slide off. They feature intricate latticework on windows (pinjrakari). |
| Bhungas | Kutch, Gujarat | Cylindrical huts with conical thatched roofs. They are made of mud and are earthquake-resistant, keeping the interior cool in the desert heat. |
❄️ Houses in Cold Regions (Igloos)
Igloos: Temporary shelters made of blocks of snow, traditionally built by the Inuit people in the Arctic regions of Canada and Greenland. The dome shape is strong and the compacted snow acts as an excellent insulator, trapping body heat to keep the inside warm.
☀️ Houses in Hot Regions (Thick Walls, Courtyards)
As mentioned earlier, houses in hot, dry regions like Rajasthan are built with thick walls (of stone or mud) and have small windows to keep the heat out. They are often designed around a central open space called a courtyard (aangan) , which acts as a heat sink and provides a cool, private outdoor space for the family.
🌧️ Houses in Rainy Regions (Sloping Roofs, Stilt Houses)
In regions with heavy rainfall, like coastal areas and the North-East, houses have sloping roofs to allow rainwater to drain off quickly. In flood-prone areas, they are often built on stilts (stilt houses) to keep the living area safe from floodwaters.
🐾 6.5 Shelters for Animals
Just like humans, animals also need a place to live, rest, and raise their young. Their shelters are called by different names.
🏠 Homes of Domestic Animals
Domestic animals live with or near humans, and we provide them with shelter.
| 🐾 Animal | 🏡 Name of Shelter | 📝 Description |
|---|---|---|
| Cow / Buffalo (ਗਾਂ / ਮੱਝ) | Shed (ਵਾੜਾ), Byre, Cowshed | A simple, covered structure where cattle are kept. It provides protection from sun and rain. |
| Horse (ਘੋੜਾ) | Stable (ਅਸਤਬਲ) | A building divided into stalls for individual horses. |
| Dog (ਕੁੱਤਾ) | Kennel (ਕੁੱਤੇ ਘਰ) | A small, often wooden, shelter for a dog. |
| Hen / Chicken (ਕੁੱਕੜੀ) | Coop (ਕੂਕੜਖਾਨਾ), Henhouse | A small house or cage where chickens are kept. It often has a run attached. |
| Goat / Sheep (ਬੱਕਰੀ / ਭੇਡ) | Pen (ਵਾੜਾ), Fold | An enclosed area, often with a covered shed, for goats or sheep. |
🌲 Homes of Wild Animals
Wild animals build or find their own shelters in nature.
| 🐾 Animal | 🏡 Name of Shelter | 📝 Description |
|---|---|---|
| Lion / Tiger (ਸ਼ੇਰ / ਟਾਈਗਰ) | Den (ਮਾਂਦ) | A cave or a hidden, sheltered place among rocks, often used for resting and raising cubs. |
| Rabbit / Rat (ਖਰਗੋਸ਼ / ਚੂਹਾ) | Burrow (ਬਿੱਲ) | A hole or tunnel dug in the ground. |
| Bird (ਪੰਛੀ) | Nest (ਆਲ੍ਹਣਾ) | A structure built by birds, usually in trees, using twigs, grass, and mud, to lay eggs and raise their young. |
| Bee (ਮਧੂ-ਮੱਖੀ) | Hive (ਛੱਤਾ) | A structure, either natural or man-made, where bees live and store honey. |
| Snake (ਸੱਪ) | Burrow, Hole | Many snakes live in holes in the ground, often abandoned by other animals. |
| Squirrel (ਗਿਲਹਰੀ) | Nest, Dreys | Squirrels build nests called dreys high up in trees, made of twigs and leaves. |
| Bear (ਰਿੱਛ) | Den, Cave | Bears often hibernate in dens, which can be caves, hollow logs, or holes dug in the ground. |
🐕 Animals That Live With Us
Many animals have adapted to live in close proximity to humans, often in or around our houses.
Pets: Dogs, cats, rabbits, birds (like parrots and pigeons).
Commensal Animals: Animals that live near humans and benefit from them, but are not domesticated. Examples include rats, mice, sparrows, pigeons, crows, and lizards.
🏘️ Shelters for Stray Animals
In cities and villages, we also have a responsibility towards stray animals.
Stray Dogs and Cats: They often find shelter under parked cars, in empty plots, or near garbage dumps where they can find food.
Community Efforts: Some communities and animal welfare organizations build simple shelters for stray animals, especially during extreme weather (summer and winter). They may also set up feeding stations with food and water.
Gaushalas (ਗਊਸ਼ਾਲਾ): These are shelters for stray or old cows, maintained by donations from the community.
🏙️ 6.6 Our Village, Our City
Human settlements can be broadly divided into rural (villages) and urban (cities and towns).
🏞️ Difference Between Villages and Cities
| 🏷️ Feature | 🏞️ Village (ਪਿੰਡ) | 🌆 City (ਸ਼ਹਿਰ) |
|---|---|---|
| Population | Small population. | Large population, densely populated. |
| Occupation | Mainly agriculture and related activities (farming, animal husbandry). | Mainly industries, services, trade, and office work. |
| Houses | Mostly kutcha and semi-pucca houses, with more open space. | Mostly pucca houses, apartments, and high-rise buildings. |
| Environment | Cleaner, less pollution, more greenery. | More polluted (air, water, noise), less greenery. |
| Pace of Life | Slow, quiet, and relaxed. | Fast, busy, and often stressful. |
| Facilities | Fewer facilities like hospitals, schools, and markets. | Better facilities, including many schools, colleges, hospitals, shopping malls, and entertainment options. |
🏘️ Rural and Urban Settlements
Rural Settlements: These are villages and small hamlets where the primary occupation is agriculture. The houses are often clustered together (nucleated settlements) or spread out (dispersed settlements). The community is closely knit, and people often know each other.
Urban Settlements: These are towns and cities. They are characterized by non-agricultural work, a high population density, and a complex social structure. They are further classified as towns, cities, metropolitan cities, and megacities based on their population.
💧 Civic Amenities
Civic amenities are the facilities and services that are essential for a comfortable and healthy life in a settlement.
Water Supply (ਪਾਣੀ ਦੀ ਸਪਲਾਈ): Piped water supply to households is a key amenity. In villages, water may come from hand pumps or wells.
Electricity (ਬਿਜਲੀ): Essential for lighting, running appliances, and for many industries.
Roads (ਸੜਕਾਂ): Good roads connect villages and cities, enabling the transport of people and goods.
Drainage (ਨਿਕਾਸੀ): A proper system to carry away wastewater and sewage is crucial for public health. In cities, this is an underground sewerage system, while in villages, open drains are more common.
Waste Management (ਕੂੜਾ ਪ੍ਰਬੰਧਨ): Collection and disposal of garbage is a major civic service, especially in cities.
Other Amenities: Schools, hospitals, police stations, post offices, banks, parks, and street lights.
🚧 Problems of Urban Areas
Rapid and unplanned growth of cities has led to several problems:
Congestion (ਭੀੜ): Overcrowding on roads and in public transport leads to traffic jams and long commutes.
Pollution (ਪ੍ਰਦੂਸ਼ਣ): Air pollution from vehicles and industries, water pollution from untreated sewage, and noise pollution are major health hazards.
Housing Shortage: The influx of people into cities creates a huge demand for housing, leading to the growth of slums and unauthorized colonies with poor living conditions.
Waste Disposal: Managing the massive amount of solid waste generated by cities is a huge challenge.
Water Scarcity: Meeting the water demand of a large population often leads to depletion of groundwater and water shortages.
🏛️ 6.7 Historical Shelters and Monuments of Punjab
Punjab has a rich architectural heritage, reflected in its historical monuments. These are not just shelters but symbols of history, faith, and culture.
🕍 Golden Temple, Amritsar (ਸੁਨਹਿਰੀ ਮੰਦਰ)
The Harmandir Sahib, popularly known as the Golden Temple, is the holiest Gurdwara of Sikhism and one of the most spiritual places in India. It is a stunning example of Sikh architecture.
Architecture: It blends Hindu and Islamic architectural styles. The sanctuary is a two-story structure with a gold-plated dome. It stands in the middle of a sacred pool (Amrit Sarovar), which gives the city its name.
Unique Feature: The Gurdwara has four entrances (one on each side), symbolizing that it is open to all people, regardless of caste, creed, or religion. This is a core tenet of Sikhism.
Material: The upper floors are covered in real gold, while the lower parts are made of marble with intricate pietra dura (inlay work) designs.
🏰 Qila Mubarak, Patiala (ਕਿਲਾ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ)
The Qila Mubarak is a historic fort and palace complex in Patiala, built in the 18th century by Baba Ala Singh, the founder of the Patiala royal dynasty.
Architecture: It is a magnificent example of a Sikh fort-palace. It is a complex of several courtyards, palaces, and halls. The main palace within the fort is called the Qila Androon.
Key Structures:
Darbar Hall: The royal court, with beautiful paintings and chandeliers.
Ranjit Prakash Kothi: Now houses a museum with a collection of royal artifacts, paintings, and manuscripts.
Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors): A beautiful palace adorned with intricate mirror work.
Material: Built primarily of brick and plaster, with extensive use of wood and marble in the interiors.
🕯️ Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar (ਜਲ੍ਹਿਆਂਵਾਲਾ ਬਾਗ਼)
Jallianwala Bagh is a public garden in Amritsar that is a memorial of national importance. It is the site of the tragic massacre on April 13, 1919, when British troops under the command of General Dyer opened fire on a peaceful gathering of thousands of unarmed men, women, and children.
Structure: It is not a single building but a walled garden. The site preserves the historical well into which many people jumped to escape the bullets. The walls still bear the marks of bullet holes, serving as a poignant reminder of the atrocity.
Memorial: A flame, known as the "Amar Jyoti" (Eternal Flame) , burns at the site to honor the martyrs. A memorial was built here in 1951, designed by the American architect Benjamin Polk.
🏡 Traditional Punjabi Architecture
Beyond grand monuments, the traditional homes of Punjab, especially in villages, had distinct features :
Mud Houses: As discussed earlier, houses were primarily made of mud, which was readily available and provided excellent insulation .
Courtyard (Vara - ਵਾੜਾ): Most traditional Punjabi homes were built around a central courtyard. This was the heart of the home, where women would cook, children would play, and families would sit together. It provided light, ventilation, and privacy.
Chobara (ਚੋਬਾਰਾ): Many houses had a small, attic-like room on the roof called a chobara, which was used for storing grains or as a bedroom in the summer.
Ornate Doors and Windows: The main entrance door (darwaza) was often large, made of strong Sheesham wood, and ornately carved . Windows (khidkis) were also often carved.
Wall Paintings: The mud walls were often decorated with beautiful paintings, known as chowk-poorana, featuring floral designs, birds, animals, and scenes from folklore. These were made using natural colors from leaves, flowers, and minerals .
Kitchen (Chulla - ਚੁੱਲ੍ਹਾ): The traditional kitchen had a mud stove (chulla) and a separate area for a mud water pot (ghara), which kept the water cool .
📝 Pedagogical Approaches for the Classroom
As a teacher, here's how you can bring this chapter to life, keeping in mind the EVS approach of holistic learning:
"My Dream House" Drawing Activity: Ask children to draw their dream house and label its different parts. This sparks creativity and reinforces vocabulary.
Types of Houses Chart: Create a class chart with pictures of different types of houses (kutcha, pucca, tent, houseboat, igloo) from India and around the world.
Animal Shelter Walk: During a nature walk or playtime, ask children to observe and identify different animal shelters they can see (bird nests, ant hills, spider webs, a dog's kennel).
Local Materials Scavenger Hunt: Ask children to look around their home and neighborhood and list all the natural and man-made materials they can see used in buildings.
Model Making: Have students work in groups to create models of different types of houses using clay, cardboard, ice cream sticks, and other craft materials (e.g., a stilt house, an igloo, a mud hut).
Village vs. City Discussion: Facilitate a discussion about the differences between a village and a city. Ask children who have visited a village to share their experiences.
Storytelling: Tell stories from history or folklore related to the monuments of Punjab (e.g., the story of the Golden Temple, the history of Patiala). This makes history come alive.
Virtual Tour: If possible, use online resources to show students a virtual tour of the Golden Temple or Qila Mubarak, highlighting the architectural features.
Guest Speaker: Invite an architect, a civil engineer, or an elderly person from the community to talk about how houses are built and how building materials and styles have changed over time.
💡 Summary for PSTET Aspirants
Syllabus Link: 'Shelter' is one of the six core themes in the EVS syllabus for Classes III-V. It evolves into 'Habitat' and deals with differences in urban and rural houses and houses in different topographical regions .
Holistic Approach: The focus is on understanding shelter in its social, cultural, and environmental contexts.
Types of Houses: Be able to differentiate between kutcha and pucca houses and give examples of temporary houses (tents, huts, houseboats) and houses adapted to different climates (sloping roofs for rain, thick walls for deserts).
Parts of a House: Know the functions of different rooms (kitchen, bedroom, etc.) and features (doors, windows, ventilators, drainage) .
Building Materials: Classify materials into natural (mud, stone, wood, bamboo, thatch) and man-made (bricks, cement, iron, glass). Be aware of traditional materials used in Punjab: mud for walls and Sheesham/Tahli wood for doors and windows .
Cultural Houses: Be familiar with different traditional house types in India (Havelis, Toda huts, Stilt houses) and how houses are adapted to different climates .
Animal Shelters: Know the specific names for the homes of domestic and wild animals (shed, stable, kennel, coop, den, burrow, nest, hive).
Village vs. City: Understand the key differences between rural and urban settlements in terms of population, occupation, facilities, and environment. Know the common civic amenities and the problems of urban areas (congestion, pollution, housing shortage).
Punjab Monuments: Have a basic understanding of the historical and architectural significance of the Golden Temple (Amritsar) , Qila Mubarak (Patiala) , and Jallianwala Bagh (Amritsar) . Be familiar with features of traditional Punjabi architecture like the central courtyard, chobara, and wall paintings .
This chapter provides a robust foundation for both the PSTET exam and your future role as a primary teacher. By connecting every topic back to the child's home, their community, and their state's rich heritage, you can make learning about shelter joyful, meaningful, and truly educational.
