Chapter 11 of 12
Chapter 11: Chanda Mama Counts the Stars
Moon Lore, Counting Stars, Bundles of Tens & Astronomical Curiosity | CBSE Session 2026–27
Core Pedagogical Competencies & Concepts
- Traditional Indian folklore: affectionate representation of the Moon as 'Chanda Mama'.
- Counting enormous numbers by grouping: Chanda Mama grouping stars into packets of 10 and 100.
- Connection between language arts and foundational mathematical grouping.
- Astronomical wonder: understanding that stars are distant burning suns.
All Textbook Exercises & In-Text Tasks (17 Questions)
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Q1
Let us Think • Story Comprehension
Why was Chanda Mama having trouble counting the stars in the sky? What clever system of cards did he invent to keep count?
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Answer:
1. The Trouble: There were so many twinkling stars appearing and disappearing across the vast sky that Chanda Mama lost count whenever a star moved.
2. The Card System:
• For every single star, he put a [1] card in his pocket.
• When he collected ten [1] cards, he exchanged them for one [10] card.
• When he collected ten [10] cards, he exchanged them for one big [100] card.
1. The Trouble: There were so many twinkling stars appearing and disappearing across the vast sky that Chanda Mama lost count whenever a star moved.
2. The Card System:
• For every single star, he put a [1] card in his pocket.
• When he collected ten [1] cards, he exchanged them for one [10] card.
• When he collected ten [10] cards, he exchanged them for one big [100] card.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Explanation of difficulty with infinite twinkling stars
1.0 M
Detailed breakdown of the base-10 card exchange system
2.0 M
Q2
Mathematical Integration • Cards to Numbers
If Chanda Mama has these cards in his pocket, what is the total number of stars counted? (a) Two [100] cards, three [10] cards, and four [1] cards. (b) Three [100] cards and eight [1] cards.
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Calculations:
• (a) (2 × 100) + (3 × 10) + (4 × 1) = 200 + 30 + 4 = 234 stars.
• (b) (3 × 100) + (0 × 10) + (8 × 1) = 300 + 0 + 8 = 308 stars.
• (a) (2 × 100) + (3 × 10) + (4 × 1) = 200 + 30 + 4 = 234 stars.
• (b) (3 × 100) + (0 × 10) + (8 × 1) = 300 + 0 + 8 = 308 stars.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Correct calculation for (a) 234
1.0 M
Correct calculation for (b) 308 (handling zero tens)
1.0 M
Q3
Creative Dialogue Writing
Write a short two-line greeting that a child on Earth would say to the Moon through their bedroom window.
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Model Greeting:
'Namaste, Chanda Mama! Thank you for lighting up our dark night with your gentle, silver glow.'
'Namaste, Chanda Mama! Thank you for lighting up our dark night with your gentle, silver glow.'
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Appropriate child-friendly tone and expression
1.0 M
Correct punctuation and poetic quality
1.0 M
Q4
Story Comprehension • Chanda Mama
In the delightful tale 'Chanda Mama Counts the Stars':
(a) Why did Chanda Mama want to count the stars in the sky?
(b) Why did he find it so difficult to count them all?
(c) What clever advice did Mother Earth give to Chanda Mama?
[3 Marks]
(a) Why did Chanda Mama want to count the stars in the sky?
(b) Why did he find it so difficult to count them all?
(c) What clever advice did Mother Earth give to Chanda Mama?
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Story Breakdown:
(a) Counting Purpose:
• Chanda Mama wanted to know exactly how many little sparkling star-children he had in his sky family.
(b) The Difficulty:
• The stars kept twinkling, blinking, moving, and hiding behind passing clouds, which caused Chanda Mama to lose count again and again.
(c) Mother Earth's Advice:
• Mother Earth smiled and said, 'Do not worry about counting them all! Simply shine your silver light on them, and they will twinkle back with love.'
(a) Counting Purpose:
• Chanda Mama wanted to know exactly how many little sparkling star-children he had in his sky family.
(b) The Difficulty:
• The stars kept twinkling, blinking, moving, and hiding behind passing clouds, which caused Chanda Mama to lose count again and again.
(c) Mother Earth's Advice:
• Mother Earth smiled and said, 'Do not worry about counting them all! Simply shine your silver light on them, and they will twinkle back with love.'
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Correct motive of counting star family
1.0 M
Clear reason why counting stars is impossible (twinkling/clouds)
1.0 M
Wise advice of Mother Earth explained
1.0 M
Q5
Celestial Vocabulary • Sky Riddles
Solve these sky riddles:
(a) 'I have horns but no body. Sometimes I am a thin slice, sometimes a glowing round plate. Who am I?'
(b) 'We twinkle like diamonds in the dark velvet night, but disappear when the sun brings morning light. Who are we?'
[2 Marks]
(a) 'I have horns but no body. Sometimes I am a thin slice, sometimes a glowing round plate. Who am I?'
(b) 'We twinkle like diamonds in the dark velvet night, but disappear when the sun brings morning light. Who are we?'
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Riddle Solutions:
• (a) The Moon (Chanda Mama) — changing phases from crescent (horns) to full moon.
• (b) The Stars.
• (a) The Moon (Chanda Mama) — changing phases from crescent (horns) to full moon.
• (b) The Stars.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Correct riddle answer (a): Moon
1.0 M
Correct riddle answer (b): Stars
1.0 M
Q6
Grammar • Contractions & Apostrophes
Write the full form of these contraction words from the chapter:
(a) Can't = _____
(b) Didn't = _____
(c) It's = _____
(d) You're = _____
[4 Marks]
(a) Can't = _____
(b) Didn't = _____
(c) It's = _____
(d) You're = _____
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Contractions Expanded:
• (a) Can't = Cannot
• (b) Didn't = Did not
• (c) It's = It is
• (d) You're = You are
• (a) Can't = Cannot
• (b) Didn't = Did not
• (c) It's = It is
• (d) You're = You are
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Correct full forms for (a) and (b)
2.0 M
Correct full forms for (c) and (d)
2.0 M
Q7
Creative Writing • Moon Phases
What is a New Moon (Amavasya) and what is a Full Moon (Purnima)? Describe in two short sentences.
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Moon Phases Explained:
1. On New Moon (Amavasya), the moon is completely dark and invisible in the sky.
2. On Full Moon (Purnima), the moon appears as a complete, glowing, perfectly round silver plate.
1. On New Moon (Amavasya), the moon is completely dark and invisible in the sky.
2. On Full Moon (Purnima), the moon appears as a complete, glowing, perfectly round silver plate.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Correct definition of Amavasya (dark/invisible moon)
1.0 M
Correct definition of Purnima (full round glowing moon)
1.0 M
Q8
Reading is Fun • Comprehension
In Chapter 11 ('Chanda Mama Counts the Stars'), what is the central theme of the story/poem? Summarize in two sentences.
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Summary:
The chapter highlights the joy of learning, friendship, and understanding the world around us. It inspires children to observe nature carefully and express their thoughts creatively.
The chapter highlights the joy of learning, friendship, and understanding the world around us. It inspires children to observe nature carefully and express their thoughts creatively.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Accurate central theme
1 M
Clear two-sentence summary
1 M
Q9
Talk Time • Classroom Discussion
Share your thoughts about 'Chanda Mama Counts the Stars': What was the most interesting part of the chapter, and why?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Model Response:
The most interesting part was when the characters discovered a creative solution to their problem through teamwork. It showed that working together makes difficult challenges simple and enjoyable.
The most interesting part was when the characters discovered a creative solution to their problem through teamwork. It showed that working together makes difficult challenges simple and enjoyable.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Specific part identified
1 M
Valid personal reason
1 M
Q10
Word Building • Vocabulary Enhancement
Find words from 'Chanda Mama Counts the Stars' that have similar meanings (synonyms) to: (a) Glad (b) Quick (c) Huge.
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Synonyms:
• (a) Glad — Happy / Joyful.
• (b) Quick — Fast / Rapid.
• (c) Huge — Big / Enormous.
• (a) Glad — Happy / Joyful.
• (b) Quick — Fast / Rapid.
• (c) Huge — Big / Enormous.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
All 3 synonyms correct
3 M
Q11
Let us Listen • Rhyme and Phonics
Identify rhyming pairs from the poem or text in 'Chanda Mama Counts the Stars'. Give two examples with their rhyming sounds.
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Rhyming Pairs:
1. Light - Night (rhyming sound '-ight').
2. Round - Sound (rhyming sound '-ound').
1. Light - Night (rhyming sound '-ight').
2. Round - Sound (rhyming sound '-ound').
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Two valid rhyming pairs
2 M
Q12
Grammar & Language • Prepositions
Fill in the blanks with in, on, or under:
(a) The bird sits ___ the branch.
(b) The water is ___ the jug.
(c) The tired dog rested ___ the shady tree.
[3 Marks]
(a) The bird sits ___ the branch.
(b) The water is ___ the jug.
(c) The tired dog rested ___ the shady tree.
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Prepositions:
• (a) on
• (b) in
• (c) under.
• (a) on
• (b) in
• (c) under.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
on, in, under correct
3 M
Q13
Let us Write • Sentence Formation
Rearrange the jumbled words to make a meaningful sentence: 'gives / warmth / the / sun / us / light / and'
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Correct Sentence:
The sun gives us light and warmth.
The sun gives us light and warmth.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Correct grammatical word order and punctuation
2 M
Q14
Vocabulary • Compound Words
Combine the two words to form a compound word:
(a) Sun + shine = ___
(b) Rain + bow = ___
(c) Class + room = ___.
[3 Marks]
(a) Sun + shine = ___
(b) Rain + bow = ___
(c) Class + room = ___.
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Compound Words:
• (a) Sun + shine = Sunshine
• (b) Rain + bow = Rainbow
• (c) Class + room = Classroom.
• (a) Sun + shine = Sunshine
• (b) Rain + bow = Rainbow
• (c) Class + room = Classroom.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Sunshine, Rainbow, Classroom
3 M
Q15
Creative Writing • Picture Description
Look at the illustration of 'Chanda Mama Counts the Stars' in your textbook and describe what the characters are doing in two sentences.
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Model Answer:
In the illustration, the children are gathered excitedly in a circle observing their project. Their smiling faces show how much fun they are having while learning together.
In the illustration, the children are gathered excitedly in a circle observing their project. Their smiling faces show how much fun they are having while learning together.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Description of character actions
1 M
Complete sentences
1 M
Q16
Think & Reflect • Value Question
What important value or moral lesson does 'Chanda Mama Counts the Stars' teach us?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Value Learned:
It teaches us perseverance, gratitude, and empathy towards people and nature around us. Being curious and kind makes our world a happier place.
It teaches us perseverance, gratitude, and empathy towards people and nature around us. Being curious and kind makes our world a happier place.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Clear moral/value stated with explanation
2 M
Q17
Review Time • True or False
State whether each statement is True or False based on 'Chanda Mama Counts the Stars':
(a) The main character solved the problem alone without any help.
(b) Practicing every day helps us become better at what we do.
(c) We should always be polite when speaking to others.
[3 Marks]
(a) The main character solved the problem alone without any help.
(b) Practicing every day helps us become better at what we do.
(c) We should always be polite when speaking to others.
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Answers:
• (a) False: Cooperation and teamwork were essential.
• (b) True: Practice builds skill and confidence.
• (c) True: Politeness and good manners are important.
• (a) False: Cooperation and teamwork were essential.
• (b) True: Practice builds skill and confidence.
• (c) True: Politeness and good manners are important.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
False, True, True with explanations
3 M
🌟 NEP 2020 Competency-Based Case Study
Constellations & Pattern Recognition
Ancient astronomers grouped bright stars into pictures of hunters, bears, and queens called constellations (like Saptarishi / Ursa Major).
Analytical Task: How did grouping stars into recognizable patterns help ancient travelers and sailors navigate across open oceans at night?
Evaluation & Model Answer:
1. In ancient times before GPS or compasses, stars provided fixed landmarks in the sky.
2. By locating the Saptarishi constellation and following its pointer stars to the North Star (Dhruva Tara), sailors could always identify true North and steer ships safely without getting lost.
2. By locating the Saptarishi constellation and following its pointer stars to the North Star (Dhruva Tara), sailors could always identify true North and steer ships safely without getting lost.
Rubric: 1.5M purpose of constellations as sky landmarks + 1.5M locating the North Star for navigation.