Ireland · NCCA Curriculum Specifications
third-class Exploring Our World: Landscapes and Livelihoods
This course introduces Third Class students to the dynamic relationship between people and their environments. Students develop spatial awareness through map work while investigating physical processes and human settlements across Ireland and the wider world.
The Local Environment and Map Skills
Students explore their immediate surroundings and learn to represent the physical and human features of their locality through symbols and scales.
Students will differentiate between ground-level and bird's-eye views, practicing drawing simple plan views of familiar objects and spaces.
Students will create a map of the school grounds, developing a key with appropriate symbols to represent various features.
Students will learn and apply cardinal directions (North, South, East, West) to navigate and describe locations within the school and local area.
Students will compare aerial photographs with ground-level views to identify and interpret physical and human features in their local area.
Students will examine historical maps and photographs to identify how their local environment has changed and discuss reasons for these changes.
Physical Systems: Rocks and Soil
An investigation into the Earth's crust, focusing on the formation of rocks and the vital role of soil in supporting life.
Students will observe, classify, and describe various rock samples based on their physical properties like texture, color, and hardness.
Students will learn about the continuous process of rock formation, breakdown, and reformation, understanding it as a cycle.
Students will investigate how natural forces like wind, water, and ice break down rocks and move soil, shaping landscapes.
Students will examine soil samples to identify its components (minerals, organic matter, water, air) and understand their roles.
Students will explore why soil is vital for plant growth, food production, and supporting diverse ecosystems.
Weather, Climate, and the Water Cycle
Exploring atmospheric patterns and the continuous movement of water between the land, oceans, and sky.
Students will conduct simple experiments to observe and understand the processes of water turning into vapor and back into liquid.
Students will learn about different forms of precipitation (rain, snow, hail) and how water collects in rivers, lakes, and oceans.
Students will construct a model or diagram to illustrate the complete water cycle, identifying its key stages and their interconnectedness.
Students will learn to use simple instruments like thermometers and rain gauges to collect and record daily weather data.
Students will differentiate between short-term weather conditions and long-term climate patterns, using examples from Ireland and other regions.
Students will learn how weather forecasts are made and how to interpret simple weather maps and symbols.
Settlement and People
Analyzing why people choose to live in specific locations and how they organize their communities.
Students will investigate the geographical and historical reasons why towns and cities are built in particular places, such as access to water, fertile land, or defense.
Students will research the history of their own town or village, identifying how and why it grew and changed over time.
Students will identify and categorize the essential services (e.g., schools, hospitals, shops) and amenities available in different types of settlements.
Students will compare and contrast the daily lives, transport, and opportunities available in urban (city) versus rural (countryside) environments.
Students will explore how different communities are linked through roads, railways, waterways, and modern communication technologies.
Contrasting Parts of the World
A comparative study of life in Ireland versus a contrasting environment, focusing on climate, culture, and daily life.
Students will investigate how people, plants, and animals adapt to the challenges of living in a desert environment, focusing on water scarcity and extreme temperatures.
Students will explore the challenges and adaptations of life in polar regions, examining how indigenous communities thrive in extreme cold.
Students will discover the rich biodiversity of rainforests and how indigenous people live sustainably within these unique ecosystems.
Students will trace the origins of common foods, understanding how they travel from farms around the world to our plates.
Students will investigate the global supply chains of everyday items, from clothing to electronics, and the countries involved in their production.
Environmental Care and Sustainability
Focusing on the impact of human activity on the planet and how students can contribute to a more sustainable future.
Students will identify and appreciate the variety of plants and animals in their local environment and understand why biodiversity is important.
Students will investigate the causes and effects of pollution and litter in their local area and discuss its impact on wildlife and human health.
Students will learn about the principles of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle and apply them to their daily lives at school and home.
Students will distinguish between resources that can be replenished (e.g., solar, wind) and those that are finite (e.g., fossil fuels).
Students will explore how wind and solar energy are converted into electricity and their role in a sustainable future.
Students will identify ways to conserve water in their daily lives and understand the importance of responsible water usage.
Students will participate in planning and maintaining a school garden, learning about local food production and ecological benefits.