25. Traditional Nepali Houses

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

  • Learn about different types of Nepali houses
  • Understand regional building styles
  • Know about building materials
  • Appreciate traditional architecture

Duration

60 minutes

Materials Needed

  • Paper
  • Colored pencils
  • Regular pencils
  • Notebooks

Lesson Plan

1. Review (5 minutes)

  • Quick recap of stupas
  • Connect to everyday buildings
  • Discuss what makes a house

2. Types of Houses (15 minutes)

Discuss and draw:

  • Mountain Region Houses
  • Stone walls
  • Small windows
  • Slate roofs
  • Compact design
  • For cold weather
  • Hill Region Houses
  • Two-three stories
  • Brick and wood
  • Sloped roofs
  • Wooden balconies
  • For moderate climate
  • Terai Region Houses
  • Single story
  • Bamboo and mud
  • Thatched roofs
  • Open design
  • For hot weather

3. House Features (15 minutes)

Discuss and illustrate:

  • Common Elements
  • Courtyard
  • Kitchen area
  • Storage space
  • Prayer room
  • Animal shelter
  • Special Features
  • Wood carvings
  • Window designs
  • Door patterns
  • Roof styles
  • House colors

4. Drawing Activity (15 minutes)

Students draw:

  • Traditional house
  • House features
  • Different rooms
  • House surroundings

5. Closing Activity (10 minutes)

  • Students write about Nepali houses
  • Share what's different from their homes
  • Compare with local houses
  • Preview of next week's topic

Key Vocabulary

  • House (घर - Ghar)
  • Room (कोठा - Kotha)
  • Kitchen (भान्सा - Bhansa)
  • Roof (छाना - Chhana)
  • Door (ढोका - Dhoka)

Take-Home Activities

1. Draw their favorite house style

2. Write about house features

3. Draw house layouts

Assessment

Check students':

  • Understanding of house types
  • Knowledge of features
  • Drawing skills
  • Class participation

Notes for Teachers

  • Keep architectural terms simple
  • Use clear examples
  • Connect to students' homes
  • Explain climate effects
  • Make cultural connections
  • Focus on daily life

Fun Facts to Share

  • Houses suit local climate
  • Use local materials
  • Built for families
  • Include animal space
  • Last many years

Teaching Tips

  • Draw simple house shapes
  • Show regional differences
  • Connect to familiar homes
  • Discuss adaptations
  • Keep terms simple
  • Make learning relevant