Ireland · NCCA Curriculum Specifications
3rd Class Active Bodies, Healthy Minds: 3rd Class PE
A comprehensive physical education program for 3rd Class students focusing on fundamental movement skills, cooperative play, and personal wellbeing. Students develop physical literacy through structured games, creative movement, and health-related fitness activities.
Athletics and Fundamental Movement
Students master the mechanics of running, jumping, and throwing while developing speed and endurance.
Focusing on high knees, arm drive, and efficient stride patterns for short distance speed.
Exploring the mechanics of take-off and landing safely in long jump and vertical jumps.
Developing overarm and underarm throwing techniques using various lightweight implements.
Games and Team Strategies
Developing invasion and striking games skills while fostering communication and fair play.
Learning how to move into open space to receive a pass and support teammates.
Practicing hand-eye coordination through activities like rounders and modified cricket.
Engaging in non-competitive games that require group problem solving and trust.
Gymnastics and Body Control
Focusing on balance, sequence creation, and controlled movement on floor and apparatus.
Exploring points of contact and center of gravity to maintain stable positions.
Learning safe techniques for tucked rolls and transferring weight from feet to hands.
Combining rolls, jumps, and balances into a choreographed routine.
Dance and Creative Expression
Exploring rhythm, folk dance, and contemporary movement to express ideas and emotions.
Moving in time to various musical tempos and identifying rhythmic patterns.
Learning basic steps and formations of traditional social dances.
Using the body to represent different emotions, animals, or natural elements.
Outdoor Challenges and Wellbeing
Focusing on orienteering, outdoor safety, and the link between activity and health.
Learning to read simple maps and follow a trail within the school grounds.
Monitoring heart rate and understanding the benefits of regular physical activity.
Understanding the PAWS (Primary Aquatics Water Safety) principles for staying safe near water.