Find the Content and Exercises with Solution
Objectives of the Lesson
- Understand the importance of experiential learning through hands-on activities.
- Recognize the value of learning from individuals with practical experience.
- Analyze the characteristics of the farming teacher and his impact on the students.
- Identify key vocabulary words related to farming and their meanings.
- Develop an appreciation for nature and agricultural practices.
- Discuss the significance of teamwork and collaboration in real-world tasks.
- Reflect on the role of unconventional teachers in the learning process.
- Enhance reading comprehension skills by understanding the story's themes and messages.
- Enhance Writing and Grammar Skills: Develop students’ ability to construct meaningful responses in fill-in-the-blank and short-answer exercises.
Unit 5, Lesson 4: The Farming Teacher
"This is your teacher today. He's going to show you all sorts of things."
With that, the headmaster introduced a new teacher. Totto-chan took a good look at him. In the first place, he wasn't dressed like a teacher at all. He wore a short-striped cotton work jacket over his undershirt, and instead of a necktie, he had a towel hanging around his neck. As for his trousers, they were made of indigo-dyed cotton with narrow legs and were full of patches. Instead of shoes, he wore workmen's thick, two-toed, rubber-soled socks, while on his head was a rather dilapidated straw hat.
The children were all assembled by the pond at Kuhonbutsu Temple.
As she stared at the teacher, Totto-chan thought she had seen him before. "Where!" she wondered. His kindly face was sunburned and full of wrinkles. Even the slender pipe dangling from a black cord around his waist that served as a belt looked familiar. She suddenly remembered!
"Aren't you the farmer who works in the field by the stream?" she asked him, delighted.
"That's right," said the teacher with a toothy smile, wrinkling up his face. "You pass my place every time you go for your walks to Kuhonbutsu! That's my field—the one over there full of mustard blossoms."
"Wow! So you're going to be our teacher today," cried the children excitedly.
"Naw!" said the man, waving his hand in front of his face. "I ain't no teacher! I'm just a farmer. Your headmaster just asked me to do it, that's all."
"Oh yes, he is. He's your farming teacher," said the headmaster, standing beside him. "He very kindly agreed to teach you how to plant a field. It's like having a baker teach you how to make bread. Now then," he said to the farmer, "tell the children what to do, and let's get started."
At an ordinary elementary school, anyone who taught the children anything would probably have to have teaching qualifications. But Mr. Kobayashi didn't worry about things like that. He thought it was important for children to learn by actually seeing things done.
"Let's begin then," said the farming teacher.
The place where they were assembled was beside the Kuhonbutsu pond, and it was a particularly quiet section—a pleasant place where the pond was shaded by trees. The headmaster had already placed part of a railroad car there for storing the children's farming implements, such as spades and hoes. The half-car had a peaceful look, neatly placed as it was right in the middle of the plot they were going to cultivate.
The farming teacher told the children to take spades and hoes from the car and started them on weeding. He told them all about weeds: how hardy they were; how some grew faster than crops and hid the sun from them; how weeds were good hiding places for bad insects; and how weeds could be a nuisance by taking all the nourishment from the soil. He taught them one thing after another. And while he talked, his hands never stopped pulling out weeds. The children did the same. Then the teacher showed them how to hoe, how to make furrows, how to spread fertilizer, and everything else you had to do to grow things in a field, explaining as he demonstrated.
A little snake put its head out and very nearly bit the hand of Ta-chan, one of the older boys, but the farming teacher reassured him, "The snakes here ain't poisonous, and they won't hurt you if you don't hurt them."
Besides teaching the children how to plant a field, the farming teacher told them interesting things about insects, birds, and butterflies, about the weather, and about all sorts of other things. His strong, gnarled hands seemed to attest that everything he told the children, he had found out himself through experience.
The children were dripping with perspiration when they had finally finished planting the field with the teacher's help. Except for a few furrows that were a bit uneven, it was an impeccable field, whichever way you looked at it.
From that day onward, the children held that farmer in high esteem, and whenever they saw him, even at a distance, they would cry, "There's our farming teacher!" Whenever he had any fertilizer left, he would bring it over and spread it on the children's field, and their crops grew well. Every day someone would visit the field and report to the headmaster and the other children on how it was doing. The children learned to know the wonder and the joy of seeing the seeds they had planted themselves sprout. And whenever two or three of them were gathered together, talk would turn to the progress of their field.
Terrible things were beginning to happen in various parts of the world. But as the children discussed their tiny field, they were still enfolded in the very heart of peace.
Vocabulary
- Dilapidated – In a state of disrepair or ruin due to age or neglect.
- Furrows – Long, narrow trenches made in the ground for planting seeds.
- Implements – Tools or equipment used for a specific purpose.
- Nuisance – Something or someone causing inconvenience or annoyance.
- Perspiration – The process of sweating.
- Esteem – Respect and admiration, often for someone or something.
- Attest – Provide evidence or proof of something.
- Gnarled – Rough and twisted, often due to age or hard work (usually describing hands or trees).
- Impeccable – Flawless or without any mistakes.
Note:
- Kodiak: A type of bear that comes from Kodiak Island in Alaska.
- Somersault: A movement where someone or something rolls over completely in the air or on the ground.
- Unison: Doing something at the same time as others.
- Jaguar: A large wild cat found mainly in South America.
- Mauled: Attacked and injured badly by a person or animal.
- Subantarctic: Areas close to but just north of Antarctica.
- Adjacent: Next to or very close to something.
- Speculate: To guess or make an assumption about something.
- Aurora Australis: A natural light display in the sky near the South Pole.
- Meteorite: A piece of rock or metal from space that lands on Earth.
- Crater: A bowl-shaped hole in the ground caused by something like a meteorite.
- Vicinity: The area around a particular place.
Vocabulary List
| Word | Word | Word |
|---|---|---|
| Dilapidated | Impeccable | Attest |
| Gnarled | Perspiration | Furrows |
| Implements | Nuisance | Esteem |
| Slender | Mustard | Reassured |
| Poisonous | Enfolded | Wrinkles |
| Demonstrated | Qualifications | Cultivate |
| Admiration | Insects | Explaining |
Multiple Choice Questions
- How was the farming teacher dressed when he was introduced?
- a) In a formal suit and tie
- b) In a short-striped cotton work jacket and patched trousers
- c) In a school uniform
- d) In a black robe and hat
- Where did the headmaster introduce the farming teacher to the students?
- a) In the school library
- b) In the classroom
- c) By the Kuhonbutsu Temple pond
- d) In the school auditorium
- How did Totto-chan recognize the farming teacher?
- a) He was her neighbor
- b) He worked in the field by the stream
- c) He was a famous teacher
- d) He was her uncle
- Why did the headmaster invite the farmer to teach the children?
- a) He wanted the students to learn through real experiences
- b) The school lacked teachers
- c) The farmer was a qualified teacher
- d) The children wanted a new teacher
- What was stored in the railroad car placed by the pond?
- a) Books and school supplies
- b) Farming tools like spades and hoes
- c) Lunch for the students
- d) The farmer’s belongings
- What was the first task the farming teacher gave to the children?
- a) Spreading fertilizer
- b) Weeding
- c) Making furrows
- d) Harvesting crops
- Why did the teacher explain the importance of removing weeds?
- a) Weeds take nutrients from the soil
- b) Weeds help crops grow faster
- c) Weeds are beneficial to insects
- d) Weeds protect crops from sunlight
- What did the farming teacher tell Ta-chan when a snake appeared?
- a) To run away
- b) That the snakes weren’t poisonous
- c) To kill the snake
- d) To catch the snake
- What other topics did the farming teacher teach the students?
- a) Mathematics
- b) Insects, birds, and the weather
- c) Astronomy
- d) Literature
- How did the children feel after completing their fieldwork?
- a) Bored and tired
- b) Disappointed with their work
- c) Proud and accomplished
- d) Eager to leave
- Why did the children admire the farming teacher?
- a) He gave them sweets
- b) He helped their crops grow
- c) He was a strict teacher
- d) He gave them extra homework
Short Questions
- Where were the children assembled when they met the farming teacher?
- What was the farming teacher wearing instead of a necktie?
- What kind of field did the farming teacher own?
- What did the headmaster ask the farmer to teach the children?
- What did the farming teacher tell the children about weeds?
- What nearly bit Ta-chan’s hand?
- How did the children feel about the farming teacher after the lesson?
Fill in the Blanks
The children were assembled by the __________ at Kuhonbutsu Temple when they met the farming teacher. Unlike a regular teacher, he wore a short-striped cotton work __________ and had a __________ around his neck instead of a necktie. His trousers were made of indigo-dyed __________ and were full of __________. He was recognized by Totto-chan as the __________ who worked in the field by the stream.
The headmaster introduced him as the children's __________ and asked him to teach them how to __________ a field. The children took spades and __________ from a railroad car and learned about __________, which grow faster than crops and take nutrients from the __________. The farming teacher also told them about insects, birds, and the __________, using his own experience.
At one point, a little __________ nearly bit Ta-chan's hand, but the farming teacher reassured him that it was not __________. By the end of the lesson, the children had planted a field and took great __________ in their work, visiting it daily to observe their crops.
Answers
Word Details
| Word | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Dilapidated (Adjective) | In a state of disrepair or ruin due to age or neglect | Bengali: জীর্ণ | IPA: /dɪˈlæpɪˌdeɪtɪd/ | The old house was so dilapidated that it looked abandoned. |
| Impeccable (Adjective) | Flawless or without any mistakes | Bengali: নির্ভুল | IPA: /ɪmˈpɛkəbəl/ | Her impeccable handwriting impressed the teacher. |
| Attest (Verb) | Provide evidence or proof of something | Bengali: সাক্ষ্য দেওয়া | IPA: /əˈtɛst/ | His success attests to his hard work and dedication. |
| Gnarled (Adjective) | Rough and twisted, often due to age or hard work | Bengali: পাকানো | IPA: /nɑrld/ | The old man’s gnarled hands showed years of labor. |
| Perspiration (Noun) | The process of sweating | Bengali: ঘাম | IPA: /ˌpɜrspəˈreɪʃən/ | His shirt was soaked with perspiration after the long run. |
| Furrows (Noun) | Long, narrow trenches made in the ground for planting seeds | Bengali: কর্ষণ রেখা | IPA: /ˈfɜːroʊz/ | The farmer made furrows in the soil before planting the crops. |
| Implements (Noun) | Tools or equipment used for a specific purpose | Bengali: সরঞ্জাম | IPA: /ˈɪmplɪmənts/ | The gardener used various implements to tend to the plants. |
| Nuisance (Noun) | Something or someone causing inconvenience or annoyance | Bengali: বিরক্তিকর কিছু | IPA: /ˈnjuːsəns/ | The loud music at night was a real nuisance for the neighbors. |
| Esteem (Noun) | Respect and admiration, often for someone or something | Bengali: শ্রদ্ধা | IPA: /ɪˈstiːm/ | He is held in high esteem by his colleagues for his wisdom. |
| Slender (Adjective) | Thin in an attractive or delicate way | Bengali: সরু | IPA: /ˈslɛndər/ | She had a slender figure and moved gracefully. |
| Mustard (Noun) | A yellow-flowered plant whose seeds are used to make a spicy condiment | Bengali: সরিষা | IPA: /ˈmʌstərd/ | The fields were filled with bright yellow mustard flowers. |
| Reassured (Verb) | To make someone feel less worried or afraid | Bengali: আশ্বস্ত করা | IPA: /ˌriːəˈʃʊrd/ | The teacher reassured the students that the exam would be easy. |
| Poisonous (Adjective) | Containing poison; capable of causing harm or death | Bengali: বিষাক্ত | IPA: /ˈpɔɪzənəs/ | The snake was not poisonous, so there was no danger. |
| Enfolded (Verb) | To surround or wrap around something | Bengali: আচ্ছাদিত | IPA: /ɪnˈfoʊldɪd/ | The baby was enfolded in a warm blanket. |
| Wrinkles (Noun) | Small lines or creases on a surface, often on the skin | Bengali: ভাঁজ | IPA: /ˈrɪŋkəlz/ | Her face had gentle wrinkles from years of smiling. |
| Demonstrated (Verb) | To show or explain how something works | Bengali: প্রদর্শন করা | IPA: /ˈdɛmənˌstreɪtɪd/ | The teacher demonstrated how to solve the math problem. |
| Qualifications (Noun) | The skills or experience needed for a particular job | Bengali: যোগ্যতা | IPA: /ˌkwɒlɪfɪˈkeɪʃənz/ | He had all the qualifications required for the job. |
| Cultivate (Verb) | To prepare and use land for growing crops | Bengali: চাষ করা | IPA: /ˈkʌltɪveɪt/ | The farmer cultivated the land to grow vegetables. |
| Admiration (Noun) | A feeling of great respect and liking for something or someone | Bengali: প্রশংসা | IPA: /ˌædməˈreɪʃən/ | She looked at the beautiful painting with admiration. |
Multiple Choice Questions
- How was the farming teacher dressed when he was introduced?
- a) In a formal suit and tie
- b) In a short-striped cotton work jacket and patched trousers ✅
- c) In a school uniform
- d) In a black robe and hat
- Where did the headmaster introduce the farming teacher to the students?
- a) In the school library
- b) In the classroom
- c) By the Kuhonbutsu Temple pond ✅
- d) In the school auditorium
- How did Totto-chan recognize the farming teacher?
- a) He was her neighbor
- b) He worked in the field by the stream ✅
- c) He was a famous teacher
- d) He was her uncle
- Why did the headmaster invite the farmer to teach the children?
- a) He wanted the students to learn through real experiences ✅
- b) The school lacked teachers
- c) The farmer was a qualified teacher
- d) The children wanted a new teacher
- What was stored in the railroad car placed by the pond?
- a) Books and school supplies
- b) Farming tools like spades and hoes ✅
- c) Lunch for the students
- d) The farmer’s belongings
- What was the first task the farming teacher gave to the children?
- a) Spreading fertilizer
- b) Weeding ✅
- c) Making furrows
- d) Harvesting crops
- Why did the teacher explain the importance of removing weeds?
- a) Weeds take nutrients from the soil ✅
- b) Weeds help crops grow faster
- c) Weeds are beneficial to insects
- d) Weeds protect crops from sunlight
- What did the farming teacher tell Ta-chan when a snake appeared?
- a) To run away
- b) That the snakes weren’t poisonous ✅
- c) To kill the snake
- d) To catch the snake
- What other topics did the farming teacher teach the students?
- a) Mathematics
- b) Insects, birds, and the weather ✅
- c) Astronomy
- d) Literature
- How did the children feel after completing their fieldwork?
- a) Bored and tired
- b) Disappointed with their work
- c) Proud and accomplished ✅
- d) Eager to leave
- Why did the children admire the farming teacher?
- a) He gave them sweets
- b) He helped their crops grow ✅
- c) He was a strict teacher
- d) He gave them extra homework
Short Questions with Answers
-
Where were the children assembled when they met the farming teacher?
They were assembled by the pond at Kuhonbutsu Temple. -
What was the farming teacher wearing instead of a necktie?
He had a towel hanging around his neck instead of a necktie. -
What kind of field did the farming teacher own?
He owned a field full of mustard blossoms by the stream. -
What did the headmaster ask the farmer to teach the children?
He asked the farmer to teach the children how to plant a field. -
What did the farming teacher tell the children about weeds?
He explained that weeds grow faster than crops, block sunlight, serve as hiding places for harmful insects, and take nutrients from the soil. -
What nearly bit Ta-chan’s hand?
A little snake nearly bit Ta-chan’s hand. -
How did the children feel about the farming teacher after the lesson?
They held him in high esteem and excitedly referred to him as their "farming teacher" whenever they saw him.
Fill in the Blanks - Answer Key
The children were assembled by the pond at Kuhonbutsu Temple when they met the farming teacher. Unlike a regular teacher, he wore a short-striped cotton work jacket and had a towel around his neck instead of a necktie. His trousers were made of indigo-dyed cotton and were full of patches. He was recognized by Totto-chan as the farmer who worked in the field by the stream.
The headmaster introduced him as the children's farming teacher and asked him to teach them how to plant a field. The children took spades and hoes from a railroad car and learned about weeds, which grow faster than crops and take nutrients from the soil. The farming teacher also told them about insects, birds, and the weather, using his own experience.
At one point, a little snake nearly bit Ta-chan's hand, but the farming teacher reassured him that it was not poisonous. By the end of the lesson, the children had planted a field and took great pride in their work, visiting it daily to observe their crops.
📖 Key Features
- 📌 Format: Reading Text
- 📌Content: Class VIII – Unit Five, Lesson 4: The Farming Teacher (Page 53)
- 📌 Cmposition Number: 1
- 📌 Clarity and Concise: Class VIII
- 📌 Visual Appeal:High Quality Graphics
- 📌 Content: Class VIII – Unit Five, Lesson 4: The Farming Teacher (Page 53)
- 📌 Exercise: Multiple Choice Questions, Short Questions, Fill-in-the-Blanks, and 10 words with IPA transcription, word class, Bengali and English meanings, and example sentences
- 📌 Ideal for: IT-Assisted Classrooms
- 📌 Perfect for: Presentation Purposes and Personal Learning too
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