Roads and Messages
Primary 1 · Social and Religious Studies
Roads and Messages
Lesson 3 of 4
10 min
Let's begin
Mutesi is on one side of the football field.
Her friend is far away on the other side.
Mutesi lifts her arm high and waves.
Her friend waves back. A message just crossed the field.
Communication is sharing a message with somebody.
A message is anything you want the other person to know.
Two people are needed: one who sends and one who receives.
Speaking is the easiest way of all.
You say, Come and eat! and your brother hears you.
Your voice carries the message across the room.
Writing puts the message on paper or on a slate.
Gatete writes a note for his teacher and leaves it on the desk.
The teacher reads it later. Writing waits for the reader.
A sign is a message made with your body.
A wave says hello. A nod says yes. A shake of the head says no.
You used no words at all, but the message arrived.
A picture can carry a message too.
Draw a cow and an arrow. That says the cow went that way.
Pictures help people who cannot yet read the words.
Careful! Many children think a message needs a phone.
A wave needs no phone. A shout across a field needs no phone.
A drawing on the ground needs no phone either.
Speak, write, sign, draw. Four ways, and all of them are free.
Tip
Speak, write, sign, draw
Four ways to send a message, and your body can do them all.
Mouth, hand, arm, pencil. Touch each one as you say it.
Do each one, then tap Show answer to check.
What is communication?
Answer: sharing a message with somebody.
Habimana nods his head at his sister. Did he send a message?
Answer: yes. A nod is a sign, and a sign is a message.
Your teacher is busy. How can you leave her a message?
Answer: write it down and leave the note for her to read.
Byiringiro cannot read yet. How can you tell him which way to go?
Answer: draw a picture, or point with your hand.
True or not: you must have a phone to send a message.
Answer: not true. Speaking, writing, signs and pictures all work.
What you learned today
Quick check
Match each sign to its message.
Tap one on the left, then its partner on the right.
