SLet us discuss (Pages 19-20)

I. Complete the following summary with exact words from the poem. One example has been done for you. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

The poem describes Mrs. Jones, the speaker’s next-door neighbour, who has a unique garden filled with 1. ________. Her garden includes a peculiar 2. ________, a pond, and a rockery, along with an unusual 3. ________ that she finds charming. Mrs. Jones plants tiny, 4. ________ plants between the stones, which the speaker thinks must be so small that they are planted with a 5. ________. One day, Mrs. Jones invites the speaker to see her garden, and they discuss a 6. ________ that Mrs. Jones treasures. When the speaker asks where the 7. ________ flower is, Mrs. Jones says that the speaker has been 8. ________ on it all along.

Answers ✅

• 1. stones

• 2. path

• 3. sundial

• 4. delicate

• 5. pin

• 6. flower

• 7. lovely

• 8. standing

II. Select the correct option to fill in the blanks for the following sentences.

Let us think and reflect (Pages 20-21)

Extract:

My next-door neighbour, Mrs. Jones,

has got a garden full of stones:

A crazy path, a lily pond, a rockery and,

just beyond A sundial with a strange device,

which Mrs. Jones thinks rather nice.

I. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.

(i) What can be inferred about Mrs. Jones’s taste in gardening from the description of her garden being ‘full of stones’?

• Odia Translation: ମିସେସ୍ ଜୋନ୍ସଙ୍କ ବଗିଚା 'ପଥରରେ ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ' ବୋଲି ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନାରୁ ତାଙ୍କର ବଗିଚା ରୁଚି ବିଷୟରେ କ'ଣ ଅନୁମାନ କରାଯାଇପାରିବ?

• Answer: She prefers minimalism and unusual garden design. (ସେ ସର୍ବନିମ୍ନ ଏବଂ ଅସାଧାରଣ ବଗିଚା ଡିଜାଇନ୍ ପସନ୍ଦ କରନ୍ତି।)

(ii) Identify whether the following statement is true or false: The garden serves as a means to reveal more about Mrs. Jones herself.

• Odia Translation: ନିମ୍ନଲିଖିତ ବିବୃତ୍ତିଟି ଠିକ୍ ନା ଭୁଲ୍ ଚିହ୍ନଟ କରନ୍ତୁ: ବଗିଚାଟି ମିସେସ୍ ଜୋନ୍ସଙ୍କ ନିଜ ବିଷୟରେ ଅଧିକ ପ୍ରକାଶ କରିବାର ଏକ ମାଧ୍ୟମ ଭାବରେ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ କରେ।

• Answer: True (ଠିକ୍)

(iii) What does the poet mean by ‘crazy path’?

• Odia Translation: 'କ୍ରେଜି ପାଥ୍' (crazy path) କହିଲେ କବିଙ୍କର ଅର୍ଥ କ'ଣ?

• Answer: By the term ‘crazy path’, the poet means a path with an odd or irregular arrangement. ('କ୍ରେଜି ପାଥ୍' ଶବ୍ଦରୁ କବିଙ୍କର ଅର୍ଥ ହେଉଛି ଏକ ଅଦ୍ଭୁତ କିମ୍ବା ଅନିୟମିତ ବ୍ୟବସ୍ଥା ଥିବା ଏକ ରାସ୍ତା।)

(iv) What does the sundial with a ‘strange device’ suggest about Mrs. Jones’ personality?

(A. She has a fascination with unusual items. / B. She prefers traditional garden decorations. / C. She is uninterested in her garden’s appearance. / D. She likes modern and expensive items.)

• Odia Translation: 'ଏକ ଅଦ୍ଭୁତ ଯନ୍ତ୍ର' ଥିବା ସୂର୍ଯ୍ୟଘଡ଼ି (sundial) ମିସେସ୍ ଜୋନ୍ସଙ୍କ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିତ୍ୱ ବିଷୟରେ କ'ଣ ସୂଚାଉଛି?

• Answer: A. She has a fascination with unusual items. (A. ଅସାଧାରଣ ଜିନିଷ ପ୍ରତି ତାଙ୍କର ଆକର୍ଷଣ ରହିଛି।)

II. Answer the following questions.

Question 1. How does Mrs. Jones feel about her garden? Support your answer with evidence from the poem.

• Odia Translation: ମିସେସ୍ ଜୋନ୍ସ ତାଙ୍କ ବଗିଚା ବିଷୟରେ କିପରି ଅନୁଭବ କରନ୍ତି? କବିତାରୁ ପ୍ରମାଣ ସହିତ ଆପଣଙ୍କର ଉତ୍ତରକୁ ସମର୍ଥନ କରନ୍ତୁ।

• Answer: Mrs. Jones takes pride in her unique garden. She sees beauty in its tiny elements.

Question 2. Why do you think the speaker describes the plants as being so small that they could be planted with a pin?

• Odia Translation: ଆପଣ କାହିଁକି ଭାବୁଛନ୍ତି ଯେ ବକ୍ତା ଗଛଗୁଡ଼ିକୁ ଏତେ ଛୋଟ ବୋଲି ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନା କରିଛନ୍ତି ଯେ ସେଗୁଡ଼ିକୁ ଏକ ପିନ୍ ସାହାଯ୍ୟରେ ଲଗାଯାଇପାରିବ?

• Answer: The speaker describes the plants as being so small that they could be planted with a pin because they are so extremely small and delicate.

Question 3. What do we get to know about Mrs. Jones—based on her gardening style and her interaction with the speaker?

• Odia Translation: ମିସେସ୍ ଜୋନ୍ସଙ୍କ ବଗିଚା ଶୈଳୀ ଏବଂ ବକ୍ତାଙ୍କ ସହିତ ତାଙ୍କର କଥାବାର୍ତ୍ତା ଉପରେ ଆଧାର କରି ଆମେ ତାଙ୍କ ବିଷୟରେ କ'ଣ ଜାଣିବାକୁ ପାଉ?

• Answer: Based on her gardening style and her interaction with the speaker, it is obvious that Mrs. Jones is detail-oriented, eccentric, and values things that others may overlook.

Question 4. The poem portrays Mrs. Jones in a positive light. Support this statement.

• Odia Translation: କବିତାଟି ମିସେସ୍ ଜୋନ୍ସଙ୍କୁ ଏକ ସକାରାତ୍ମକ ଦୃଷ୍ଟିକୋଣରୁ ଚିତ୍ରଣ କରିଛି। ଏହି ବିବୃତ୍ତିକୁ ସମର୍ଥନ କରନ୍ତୁ।

• Answer: Yes, she is shown as someone with a strong taste and passion for gardening. Gardening encourages planting trees.

Question 5. What does the poem tell us about the way people think differently about the world around them?

• Odia Translation: ଲୋକମାନେ ନିଜ ଚାରିପାଖରେ ଥିବା ଦୁନିଆ ବିଷୟରେ କିପରି ଭିନ୍ନ ଭାବରେ ଚିନ୍ତା କରନ୍ତି, ସେ ବିଷୟରେ କବିତାଟି ଆମକୁ କ'ଣ କହୁଛି?

• Answer: People find beauty in different things; it encourages respecting varied views.

Let us learn (Pages 21-23)

Instruction: Select the appropriate word from the brackets that correctly replaces the underlined word in the sentences from the text.

• Odia Translation: ବ୍ରାକେଟରୁ ଉପଯୁକ୍ତ ଶବ୍ଦ ବାଛନ୍ତୁ ଯାହା ପାଠ୍ୟର ବାକ୍ୟଗୁଡ଼ିକରେ ରେଖାଙ୍କିତ ଶବ୍ଦକୁ ସଠିକ୍ ଭାବରେ ବଦଳାଇବ।

Questions & Answers:

1. A sundial with a strange device. (unusual, peculiar, new, rare, external)

   • Answer: peculiar

2. … which Mrs. Jones thinks rather nice. (pleasant, superior, agreeable, gentle, charming)

   • Answer: charming

3. They are so delicate… (delicious, fragile, dainty, graceful, weak)

   • Answer: fragile

4. “Where is this lovely thing?” I cried. (exclaimed, wept, shouted, announced, whispered)

   • Answer: exclaimed

Let us think and reflect (Pages 20-21)

Question II.

The ‘sundial’ is referred to as a ‘device’ in the poem. Work in pairs to infer the meaning of ‘device’. Share your thoughts with your classmates and teacher.

• Odia Translation: କବିତାରେ 'ସୂର୍ଯ୍ୟଘଡ଼ି' କୁ ଏକ 'ଉପକରଣ' (device) ବୋଲି କୁହାଯାଇଛି। ଯୋଡ଼ି ହୋଇ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ କରନ୍ତୁ ଏବଂ 'ଉପକରଣ'ର ଅର୍ଥ ଅନୁମାନ କରନ୍ତୁ। ଆପଣଙ୍କର ଚିନ୍ତାଧାରାକୁ ଆପଣଙ୍କର ସହପାଠୀ ଏବଂ ଶିକ୍ଷକଙ୍କ ସହିତ ସେୟାର କରନ୍ତୁ।

• Answer: The word ‘device’ means a piece of equipment that has been designed to do a particular work.

Question:

Now, match the type of instruments in Column 1 with their definitions in Column 2. Column 3 shows one example of each type of instrument. Add more examples in Column 3.

• Odia Translation: ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ, ସ୍ତମ୍ଭ 1 ରେ ଥିବା ଯନ୍ତ୍ରପାତିର ପ୍ରକାରକୁ ସ୍ତମ୍ଭ 2 ରେ ଥିବା ସେମାନଙ୍କର ସଂଜ୍ଞା ସହିତ ମେଳ କରନ୍ତୁ। ସ୍ତମ୍ଭ 3 ପ୍ରତ୍ୟେକ ପ୍ରକାରର ଯନ୍ତ୍ରର ଗୋଟିଏ ଉଦାହରଣ ଦେଖାଏ। ସ୍ତମ୍ଭ 3 ରେ ଅଧିକ ଉଦାହରଣ ଯୋଡନ୍ତୁ।

Answer:

Question III.

Complete the table by making new words in Column 1 using the hints given in Column 2. Replace the first letter of the given word to create new words. One example has been done for you.

• Odia Translation: ସ୍ତମ୍ଭ 2 ରେ ଦିଆଯାଇଥିବା ସୂଚନା ବ୍ୟବହାର କରି ସ୍ତମ୍ଭ 1 ରେ ନୂତନ ଶବ୍ଦ ତିଆରି କରି ସାରଣୀଟି ପୂରଣ କରନ୍ତୁ। ନୂତନ ଶବ୍ଦ ସୃଷ୍ଟି କରିବା ପାଇଁ ଦିଆଯାଇଥିବା ଶବ୍ଦର ପ୍ରଥମ ଅକ୍ଷରକୁ ବଦଳାନ୍ତୁ। (ଗୋଟିଏ ଉଦାହରଣ ଆପଣଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ କରାଯାଇଛି।)

Answer:

Group 1 (-ice words):

(i) dice

(ii) rice

(iii) mice

(iv) vice

Group 2 (-oil words):

(i) boil

(ii) toil

(iii) coil

(iv) foil

Let us listen (Pages 23-24)

Instruction: You will listen to a presentation about the wonderful Rock Garden of Chandigarh. As you listen, answer the following questions using one to three exact words from the presentation.

• Odia Translation: ଆପଣ ଚଣ୍ଡିଗଡ଼ର ଚମତ୍କାର ରକ୍ ଗାର୍ଡେନ୍ ବିଷୟରେ ଏକ ଉପସ୍ଥାପନା ଶୁଣିବେ। ଶୁଣିବା ସମୟରେ, ଉପସ୍ଥାପନାରୁ ଏକରୁ ତିନୋଟି ସଠିକ୍ ଶବ୍ଦ ବ୍ୟବହାର କରି ନିମ୍ନଲିଖିତ ପ୍ରଶ୍ନଗୁଡ଼ିକର ଉତ୍ତର ଦିଅନ୍ତୁ।

Question 1: Where was Nek Chand’s Rock Garden featured?

• Odia Translation: ନେକ୍ ଚାନ୍ଦଙ୍କ ରକ୍ ଗାର୍ଡେନ୍ କେଉଁଠାରେ ପ୍ରଦର୍ଶିତ ହୋଇଥିଲା?

• Answer: Indian postage stamp

Question 2: What kind of sculptures does the Rock Garden have?

• Odia Translation: ରକ୍ ଗାର୍ଡେନରେ କେଉଁ ପ୍ରକାରର ମୂର୍ତ୍ତି ଅଛି?

• Answer: colourful sculptures

Question 3: How is the Rock Garden divided?

• Odia Translation: ରକ୍ ଗାର୍ଡେନ୍ କିପରି ବିଭକ୍ତ ହୋଇଛି?

• Answer: three distinct phases

Question 4: Name any one thing that has been transformed into a piece of art in the Rock Garden.

• Odia Translation: ରକ୍ ଗାର୍ଡେନରେ କଳାକୃତିରେ ପରିଣତ ହୋଇଥିବା ଯେକୌଣସି ଗୋଟିଏ ଜିନିଷର ନାମ କୁହନ୍ତୁ।

• Answer: toilet pots (Other valid answers could be: terracotta pots, light fixtures)

Question 5: Approximately, how many statues border the Rock Garden?

• Odia Translation: ପାଖାପାଖି କେତୋଟି ମୂର୍ତ୍ତି ରକ୍ ଗାର୍ଡେନର ସୀମା ନିର୍ଦ୍ଧାରଣ କରେ?

• Answer: 5,000 statues

Let us speak (Page 23)

I. The speaker of the poem might have felt sorry for stepping on Mrs. Jones’ flower. When we make a mistake, we must express regret and apologise for our actions.

Question 1.

When we apologise to a friend or a family member, we use informal language. Take turns to apologise for the following situations and respond to the apology:

• Odia Translation: ଯେତେବେଳେ ଆମେ କୌଣସି ସାଙ୍ଗ କିମ୍ବା ପରିବାର ସଦସ୍ୟଙ୍କୁ କ୍ଷମା ମାଗୁ, ଆମେ ଅନୌପଚାରିକ ଭାଷା ବ୍ୟବହାର କରୁ। ନିମ୍ନଲିଖିତ ପରିସ୍ଥିତିଗୁଡ଼ିକ ପାଇଁ ପାଳି କରି କ୍ଷମା ମାଗନ୍ତୁ ଏବଂ କ୍ଷମା ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନାର ପ୍ରତିକ୍ରିୟା ଦିଅନ୍ତୁ।

(i) You have eaten your brother’s share of sweets. (ଆପଣ ନିଜ ଭାଇଙ୍କ ଭାଗର ମିଠା ଖାଇଦେଇଛନ୍ତି।)

• Apology: I’m really sorry, I ate your share of sweets. I didn’t mean to hurt your emotions!

• Response: That’s alright. These things happen.

(ii) You have broken your sister’s flower craft. (ଆପଣ ନିଜ ଭଉଣୀଙ୍କ ଫୁଲ ହସ୍ତଶିଳ୍ପ ଭାଙ୍ଗିଦେଇଛନ୍ତି।)

• Apology: Please forgive me for breaking your flower craft. I didn’t do it on purpose.

• Response: It’s no big deal. I can make another one.

(iii) You accidentally spilled ink on your mother’s important documents. (ଆପଣ ଭୁଲବଶତଃ ଆପଣଙ୍କ ମା'ଙ୍କ ଗୁରୁତ୍ୱପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ କାଗଜପତ୍ରରେ ସ୍ୟାହି ଢାଳିଦେଇଛନ୍ତି।)

• Apology: Sorry, I didn’t mean to spill ink on your documents, it happened accidentally, Mom. I’m really very sorry!

• Response: These things happen. Just be careful next time.

(iv) You forgot to bring your friend’s notebook to the school after borrowing it. (ସାଙ୍ଗଠାରୁ ଖାତା ଆଣିବା ପରେ ଆପଣ ତାହା ବିଦ୍ୟାଳୟକୁ ଆଣିବାକୁ ଭୁଲିଯାଇଛନ୍ତି।)

• Apology: I’m sorry for forgetting your notebook. I'll bring it tomorrow for sure!

• Response: No problem. Just don’t forget it again!

Question 2.

When we apologise to someone in authority like a Principal or a teacher in a formal setting, we use formal language. Work in pairs and take turns to apologise for the following situations and respond to the apology.

• Odia Translation: ଯେତେବେଳେ ଆମେ କୌଣସି ଔପଚାରିକ ପରିବେଶରେ ଅଧ୍ୟକ୍ଷ (Principal) କିମ୍ବା ଶିକ୍ଷକଙ୍କ ପରି କର୍ତ୍ତୃପକ୍ଷଙ୍କୁ କ୍ଷମା ମାଗୁ, ଆମେ ଔପଚାରିକ ଭାଷା ବ୍ୟବହାର କରୁ। ଯୋଡ଼ି ହୋଇ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ କରନ୍ତୁ ଏବଂ ନିମ୍ନଲିଖିତ ପରିସ୍ଥିତିଗୁଡ଼ିକ ପାଇଁ କ୍ଷମା ମାଗନ୍ତୁ ଏବଂ କ୍ଷମା ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନାର ପ୍ରତିକ୍ରିୟା ଦିଅନ୍ତୁ।

(i) You did not bring an assignment that was due for submission. (ଆପଣ ଜମା କରିବାକୁ ଥିବା ଆସାଇନମେଣ୍ଟ ଆଣିନାହାଁନ୍ତି।)

• Apology: I’m extremely sorry for not bringing the assignment that was due today. I really regret my mistake.

• Response: I accept your apology. Please ensure you submit it tomorrow without fail.

(ii) You were late to school for the past three days and had to meet the Principal. (ଆପଣ ଗତ ତିନି ଦିନ ଧରି ବିଦ୍ୟାଳୟକୁ ବିଳମ୍ବରେ ଆସିଥିଲେ ଏବଂ ଅଧ୍ୟକ୍ଷଙ୍କୁ ଭେଟିବାକୁ ପଡିଥିଲା।)

• Apology: I owe you an apology for being late to school for the past three days. I assure you that this will never happen again.

• Response: I appreciate you saying this, but please make sure you are on time going forward.

(iii) You did not submit your project work and were asked to explain. (ଆପଣ ଆପଣଙ୍କର ପ୍ରୋଜେକ୍ଟ କାମ ଜମା କରିନଥିଲେ ଏବଂ ଏହାର କାରଣ ଦର୍ଶାଇବାକୁ କୁହାଯାଇଥିଲା।)

• Apology: I really regret not submitting my project work on time. I promise it won’t happen again.

• Response: I’m glad you realised your mistake. Make sure to meet the next deadline.

Let us write (Page 25)

Question:

You are a member of the Nature Club of your school. Draft a notice informing the students of Grades 6-8 about the inauguration of the Herb Garden.

• Odia Translation: ଆପଣ ଆପଣଙ୍କ ବିଦ୍ୟାଳୟର ନେଚର୍ କ୍ଲବ୍ (ପ୍ରକୃତି କ୍ଲବ୍) ର ଜଣେ ସଦସ୍ୟ। ହର୍ବ ଗାର୍ଡେନ୍ (ଭେଷଜ ବଗିଚା) ର ଉଦ୍ଘାଟନ ବିଷୟରେ ଷଷ୍ଠରୁ ଅଷ୍ଟମ ଶ୍ରେଣୀର ଛାତ୍ରଛାତ୍ରୀମାନଙ୍କୁ ଜଣାଇ ଏକ ନୋଟିସ୍ (Notice) ପ୍ରସ୍ତୁତ କରନ୍ତୁ।

Answer:

GREENFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOL

NATURE CLUB

NOTICE

16th May 2025

Inauguration of the School Herb Garden

The Nature Club of Greenfield Public School is pleased to inform all students of Grades 6 to 8 about the inauguration of the new Herb Garden. The event aims to encourage awareness of herbal plants and sustainable gardening.

Date: 20th May 2025

Time: 10:30 a.m.

Venue: School Backyard (behind the science block)

Students interested in volunteering or participating in plantation activities are requested to contact Mrs. Anita Sharma (Science Department) by 18th May during school hours. All students of Grades 6 to 8 are invited to witness the inauguration and learn about the usefulness of herbs like tulsi, mint, aloe vera, and more.

Let’s grow green and learn together!

Priya Mehta

(Member of the Nature Club)

Class 8-B

Let us explore (Pages 25-26)

Question I.

Amrit Udyan is a garden spread over an expanse of 15 acres around Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi... Now, find out about popular gardens in your region and share with your classmates and teacher.

• Odia Translation: ଅମୃତ ଉଦ୍ୟାନ ହେଉଛି ନୂଆଦିଲ୍ଲୀର ରାଷ୍ଟ୍ରପତି ଭବନ ଚାରିପାଖରେ 15 ଏକର ଜାଗାରେ ବ୍ୟାପିଥିବା ଏକ ବଗିଚା... ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ, ଆପଣଙ୍କ ଅଞ୍ଚଳର ଲୋକପ୍ରିୟ ବଗିଚାଗୁଡ଼ିକ ବିଷୟରେ ଜାଣନ୍ତୁ ଏବଂ ଆପଣଙ୍କର ସହପାଠୀ ଏବଂ ଶିକ୍ଷକଙ୍କ ସହିତ ସେୟାର କରନ୍ତୁ।

Answer:

Popular Garden in My Region

• Name of the Garden: Lalbagh Botanical Garden

• Location: Bengaluru, Karnataka

• Key Attractions:

  • Spread over 240 acres in the heart of the city

  • Houses over 1,800 species of plants, trees, and herbs

  • Glass House inspired by London’s Crystal Palace, used for flower shows

  • Lake, fountain, and ancient trees that are over 100 years old

  • A rock formation believed to be more than 3,000 million years old

• Children’s Attractions:

  • Open spaces to play

  • A walking path and informative boards for plant education

  • Beautiful flower arrangements during annual flower shows

• Educational Value:

  • Excellent for school field trips and nature studies

  • Promotes awareness about biodiversity and plant conservation

(You can also choose these gardens if you are in different cities: Sanjay Gandhi Botanical Garden, Patna; Hanging Gardens, Mumbai; Mughal Gardens, Srinagar; Eden Gardens, Kolkata; Nehru Zoological Park and Gardens, Hyderabad).

Question II.

A herbarium is a collection of plant samples preserved for long-term study, usually in the form of dried and pressed plants mounted on paper. Now, collect some fallen flowers and leaves from your neighbourhood. Place them in folds of a newspaper carefully and put a pile of books on them. After one week, take them out and use them to make a card, wall hanging or any other artwork.

• Odia Translation: ହର୍ବାରିୟମ୍ ହେଉଛି ଦୀର୍ଘକାଳୀନ ଅଧ୍ୟୟନ ପାଇଁ ସଂରକ୍ଷିତ ଉଦ୍ଭିଦ ନମୁନାଗୁଡ଼ିକର ଏକ ସଂଗ୍ରହ, ଯାହା ସାଧାରଣତଃ କାଗଜ ଉପରେ ଲଗାଯାଇଥିବା ଶୁଖିଲା ଏବଂ ଚାପାଯାଇଥିବା ଉଦ୍ଭିଦ ଆକାରରେ ଥାଏ। ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ, ଆପଣଙ୍କ ଆଖପାଖରୁ କିଛି ଝଡି ପଡିଥିବା ଫୁଲ ଏବଂ ପତ୍ର ସଂଗ୍ରହ କରନ୍ତୁ। ସେଗୁଡିକୁ ଖବରକାଗଜ ଭିତରେ ସାବଧାନତାର ସହ ରଖନ୍ତୁ ଏବଂ ସେଗୁଡିକ ଉପରେ କିଛି ବହି ଲଦି ଦିଅନ୍ତୁ। ଏକ ସପ୍ତାହ ପରେ, ସେଗୁଡିକୁ ବାହାର କରନ୍ତୁ ଏବଂ ଏକ କାର୍ଡ, କାନ୍ଥରେ ଟଙ୍ଗାଯିବା ଜିନିଷ କିମ୍ବା ଅନ୍ୟ କୌଣସି କଳାକୃତି ତିଆରି କରିବା ପାଇଁ ସେଗୁଡିକୁ ବ୍ୟବହାର କରନ୍ତୁ।

Answer: My Herbarium Activity

• Collection: I collected some fallen flowers and leaves from my neighbourhood garden and nearby park. The types of leaves and flowers I picked up included: Gulmohar leaf, Hibiscus flower, Mango leaf, Bougainvillaea petal and Neem leaf.

• Steps I followed:

  1. I carefully placed each flower and leaf between the folds of newspaper.

  2. I put a pile of heavy books on top to press them.

  3. I left them untouched for one week.

• How I used them: After a week, I took out the dried plant samples and used them to make a handmade greeting card for Teacher’s Day. I glued the pressed hibiscus and bougainvillaea petals on the front, used the mango leaf as a border, and decorated it with a handwritten message: “Thank You for Helping Me Grow!”

• What I learned: I learned how to preserve plant samples carefully and realised how nature can be used in art. This activity helped me understand the meaning of a herbarium and appreciate the beauty of dried flowers and leaves.