Exploring Hindi Matra

Matra Preparation
First children make a list of all the Matras in Hindi (do not show them the chart below - let them find out from some text the different matra. They write down the matra (alone) and also with one consonant sound - like with /p/ below
 

Activity 1 - Make new words

1. Start with a base word (two / three syllables and no matras) - example "chal" or "galat"
2. Now they add each matra to say the first letter thereby forming new words. They say the new word aloud check each other's pronunciation and think / check if the word they have formed has any meaning and write / draw the meaning.
3. They can try the matra with any letter of the base word.

Activity 2 - Matra Race
Children choose a matra, each choose a book - On "Go" they race to find (and write in their book) words which have that matra. They have to note down the word in their book (and location where they found it - page number and line number). After the race is over they read out the words and discuss the role of matra. In the race a word is counted as valid only if the child has written it correctly and can speak it out correctly. Game can be played competitively (as race). Or they can together try to search (say 50 words) of each matra and see which matra they found in how much time (using stop watch). Then make a graph of time taken by matra type.

Activity 3 - Matra substitution
Matra cards are kept (face down) as ready material
Each child secretly chooses a set of 10 words - each with atleast one matra.
Now each child picks up one matra card and changes the matra in the word with the one on the card. (if the child picks up the same matra card - then the child rejects it and tries with another card)
The child writes the changed word on the chit.
This way all children make 10 (or 20) chits each.
Now children sit in a circle and each child picks up one chit and reads out the changed (incorrect) word. Other tryt o guess the right wrd and tell out the right word and the right matra.
Example -

• i choose word patang.
• i get matra card 'eee' (big e)
• i change and write the new word on the chit -  pateeeg
• I read out the word when my turn comes and others guess the write word and say the correct matra should be /n/

Activity 4 - Matra Rummy game

1. Children make matra playing cards. Each card contains a word with that matra (only that matra and no other).
2. Each child makes Four cards per matra (or more - so that we have totally more than 50 cards - more the merrier).
3. All cards are collected as a pack and then game of rummy is played - with the rule that a set is considered valid if the child collects 3 or more cards with same matra.
4. Once children are comfortable with the game, more cards can be added with multiple matra in each word - so that a card can be used in multiple sets.