Ireland · NCCA Curriculum Specifications
3rd Year The Power of Words: Exploring Narrative and Information
This course develops Year 3 students as confident communicators through the exploration of diverse text types and oral language structures. Students engage in deep reading comprehension and creative writing while mastering the conventions of the English language within the Irish Primary Curriculum framework.
The Art of Storytelling
Students explore the structure of narrative texts and develop their ability to create compelling characters and settings.
Analyzing how authors use description and dialogue to reveal character traits and drive the plot forward.
Using sensory details and expanded noun phrases to transport the reader into the world of the story.
Mapping the journey of a story from the opening hook through the climax to the resolution.
Fact Finders and Information Seekers
Focusing on non-fiction texts to understand how information is organized and presented for different purposes.
Identifying and using headings, glossaries, and diagrams to locate information efficiently.
Organizing factual information into logical categories using formal language and objective tone.
Developing the skill of extracting the main point from a text and rewriting it in one's own words.
The Rhythm of Poetry
Exploring the musicality of language through rhyme, rhythm, and figurative devices in various poetic forms.
Investigating how poets use alliteration and sound-words to create auditory effects.
Using similes and metaphors to create powerful mental images for the reader.
Developing oral fluency and expression by performing poems for an audience.
Persuasion and Opinion
Learning how to construct arguments and influence others through spoken and written word.
Identifying rhetorical questions, emotive language, and strong adjectives in persuasive texts.
Organizing a persuasive piece with a clear introduction, supporting points, and a conclusion.
Practicing the art of formal discussion and defending a point of view respectfully.
Grammar and Word Wizardry
Mastering the mechanics of English to improve clarity, variety, and impact in writing.
Moving beyond simple sentences to use conjunctions and fronted adverbials for flow.
Using commas, apostrophes, and inverted commas to ensure writing is easy to follow.
Exploring synonyms, antonyms, and word origins to enrich student expression.
The World of Drama
Using dramatic techniques to explore themes, characters, and social situations through performance.
Converting narrative scenes into scripts with stage directions and character cues.
Developing the ability to react in character to unexpected situations without a script.
Critiquing dramatic works and understanding the impact of lighting, sound, and costume.