Hekko

The word 'Hekko' means 'to decide' or 'to make a decision'. It is a traditional game from Nagaland whose name reflects the idea of choosing sides or deciding teams before the game begins.

The two teams in the game of Hekko are called:
1. Aami (which represents the humans/deer side)
2. Aakho (which represents the tigers)

Each team in the game of Hekko has an equal number of players. The teams are of equal size so that the game is fair for both sides.

The players in the Aami team stand inside the circle and try to protect themselves. They attempt to stay safe within the boundary of the circle while the Aakho (Tiger) team tries to catch or tag them.

The Aakho team (Tiger) must say 'Joko' when they are caught because it is a rule of the game that signals their surrender or acceptance of being caught. It is likely a traditional word used in the game to acknowledge defeat in that round, just as in many traditional games players must follow specific words or actions to show they have been tagged or caught. It also makes the game more fun and culturally rooted.

Sample Answer:
I would prefer to be in the Aakho (Tiger) team because tigers are strong and powerful. Being on the chasing side makes the game more exciting and adventurous. I enjoy the thrill of running after others and trying to catch them. It also requires quick thinking and speed, which makes it a great challenge.

*(Note: Students may choose either team. Any well-reasoned answer is acceptable.)*

Sample Answer:
If I could add a new rule, it would be: 'A player who is caught can be freed if a teammate touches their hand before the Aakho team takes them away.'

Benefit: This rule would encourage teamwork and cooperation among the Aami team members. Players would have to look out for each other, making the game more exciting and teaching the value of helping friends.

- There is a beautiful park in my neighbourhood.
- They completed their work very fast.

Explanation: 'There' is used to indicate a place or to introduce a sentence. 'Their' is a possessive pronoun showing belonging.

- Two of my friends participated in the poster-making competition.
- I was tired after playing too.

Explanation: 'Two' is the number 2. 'Too' means 'also' or 'excessively'.

- The bowler threw the ball towards the batsman.
- I can see the clouds through my window pane.

Explanation: 'Threw' is the past tense of 'throw'. 'Through' means from one side to the other.

- My mother caught me eating an ice-cream at night.
- I sleep on a cot when I am at my grandmother's village.

Explanation: 'Caught' is the past tense of 'catch'. 'Cot' is a simple, narrow bed.

- While crossing the road, look to your right, then left, then right again and then cross the road.
- Write in a neat and legible handwriting.

Explanation: 'Right' refers to the direction opposite to left. 'Write' means to form letters or words on paper.

*(Note: The pictures are not visible in the OCR text. Based on the context of the lesson on homophones, the expected answers would be pairs of homophones such as:)*

1. Sun / Son
2. Sea / See
3. Flower / Flour
4. Bear / Bare
5. Hare / Hair
6. Knight / Night
7. Knot / Not
8. Pear / Pair

*(Students should write the name of the object shown in each picture. One example has been done in the textbook itself.)*

The correct matching is:

| Animal | Sound |
|--------|-------|
| 1. Tiger | roars |
| 2. Horse | neighs |
| 3. Elephant | trumpets |
| 4. Dove | coos |
| 5. Goat | bleats |
| 6. Monkey | whoops |

Concept: In simple past tense, we add -ed to regular verbs to show that the action happened in the past.

The completed paragraph is:

Last week, we visited the park for a while. There were many children in the park. They were playing different games. My mother pointed at the children playing kabbadi. On our way home, my sister jumped in a puddle and muddied everyone's clothes. I enjoyed my visit to the park.

My sister wanted to go to the pond but I decided to stay and watch the game of kabbadi. I watched the game for a while and then joined my mother and sister. There were many fishes in the pond. I spotted a goldfish and my sister noticed two tadpoles in the pond.

The name of this game is Pitthu (also known as Saat Pathar or Lagori).

It is a popular traditional Indian game where one team tries to rebuild a stack of seven stones while the other team tries to hit them with a ball.

The name of this game is Kabaddi.

It is one of India's most famous traditional games and is now played at national and international levels. The raider must chant 'Kabaddi, Kabaddi…' continuously without taking a breath while tagging opponents.

The name of this game is Gilli-Danda.

It is a traditional Indian game played with two sticks — the 'gilli' (short stick) and the 'danda' (long stick). The player uses the danda to hit the gilli and make it fly as far as possible.

The name of this game is London Bridge (or a similar traditional arch game known in India as 'Aaye Aaye Kha Gaye' or 'Stapu Bridge').

It is a rhythmic, singing game where children pass under an arch formed by two players, and whoever is caught when the song ends is out or joins the arch.

The name of this game is Kancha (also called Goli or Marbles).

It is a traditional Indian game played with small glass balls (kanche/golis). Players flick their marble with their fingers to knock other marbles out of a circle and win them.

*(Note: The pictures are not visible in the OCR. Based on the context of the chapter, the games shown are likely traditional Indian games such as Skipping, Hopscotch, Tug of War, Kho-Kho, etc.)*

Sample spoken response for discussion:

The games shown in the pictures appear to be skipping, hopscotch, kho-kho, and tug of war.

Yes, I have played skipping and hopscotch before.

My favourite game is skipping because it is very energetic and fun. I enjoy it because I can play it alone or with friends, and it helps me stay fit. Skipping improves our jumping ability and builds strong bones and muscles. It also improves our concentration and coordination.

Sample Answer:

Game: Star Catcher

Time: 20 minutes

Number of players: 10 (5 in each team)

Material needed: 10 yellow star-shaped tokens, 2 baskets, a large open ground

Rules:
1. Five yellow star tokens are placed randomly on the ground.
2. One team (the 'Catchers') tries to collect all the stars and put them in their basket.
3. The other team (the 'Guards') tries to stop the Catchers by tagging them.
4. If a Catcher is tagged, they must freeze for 10 seconds before moving again.
5. The team that collects the most stars in 20 minutes wins.

Foul:
- Pushing or pulling another player is a foul.
- If a player commits a foul, one star is removed from their team's basket.

Benefit of this game: This game improves speed, teamwork, and quick decision-making. It also teaches children to work together as a team to achieve a goal.

About the Hornbill Festival:

- The Hornbill Festival is celebrated every year from 1st to 10th December in Nagaland.
- It is held at the Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, near Kohima, the capital of Nagaland.
- The festival is named after the Hornbill bird, which is a large and colourful bird highly respected in the folklore and traditions of the Naga tribes.
- It is also called the 'Festival of Festivals' because it brings together all the major tribes of Nagaland under one roof.
- The festival showcases traditional dances, music, food, crafts, sports, and ceremonies of the Naga people.
- It was started in the year 2000 by the Government of Nagaland to promote and preserve the rich cultural heritage of the state.
- Tourists from all over India and the world visit Nagaland during this festival.
- Traditional games, including games similar to Hekko, are also demonstrated during the festival.