Irish Curriculum · 3rd Year Science

3rd Year Science Lesson Plan & Curriculum Map

A full-year 3rd Year Science lesson plan aligned to the Junior Cycle Science specification in Ireland. Week-by-week lessons for 1, 2 or 3 days a week from September to August, covering the Nature of Science, the Biological, Chemical and Physical Worlds and Earth & Space, CBA 2 (Science in Society Investigation) and preparation for the Junior Cycle Science final examination.

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3rd Year Science learning map

Choose a term, then compare a lighter weekly plan with a more intensive schedule.

1 day/week · steady pace2–3 days/week · guided practice
September · Nature of Science + Biological World

3rd Year Science — September Lesson Plan

Irish Curriculum · Science
Week1 Day/Week2 Day/Week3 Day/Week
September 1st week
(Science)		Introduce: Nature of Science: science in society, research methods and socio-scientific issuesIntroduce: Nature of Science: science in society, research methods and socio-scientific issues Practice / retrieval taskIntroduce: Nature of Science: science in society, research methods and socio-scientific issues Practical / data / discussion activity Check for understanding
September 2nd week
(Science)		Develop: Biological World: respiration, photosynthesis, ecosystems and human impact on biodiversityDevelop: Biological World: respiration, photosynthesis, ecosystems and human impact on biodiversity Practice / retrieval taskDevelop: Biological World: respiration, photosynthesis, ecosystems and human impact on biodiversity Practical / data / discussion activity Check for understanding
September 3rd week
(Science)		Apply / investigate: Biological World: respiration, photosynthesis, ecosystems and human impact on biodiversityApply / investigate: Biological World: respiration, photosynthesis, ecosystems and human impact on biodiversity Practice / retrieval taskApply / investigate: Biological World: respiration, photosynthesis, ecosystems and human impact on biodiversity Practical / data / discussion activity Check for understanding
September 4th week
(Science)		Review, consolidate & assess: Nature of Science: science in society, research methods and socio-scientific issuesReview, consolidate & assess: Nature of Science: science in society, research methods and socio-scientific issues Practice / retrieval taskReview, consolidate & assess: Nature of Science: science in society, research methods and socio-scientific issues Practical / data / discussion activity Check for understanding
October · Biological World + Chemical World

3rd Year Science — October Lesson Plan

Irish Curriculum · Science
Week1 Day/Week2 Day/Week3 Day/Week
October 1st week
(Science)		Introduce: Biological World: respiration, photosynthesis, ecosystems and human impact on biodiversityIntroduce: Biological World: respiration, photosynthesis, ecosystems and human impact on biodiversity Practice / retrieval taskIntroduce: Biological World: respiration, photosynthesis, ecosystems and human impact on biodiversity Practical / data / discussion activity Check for understanding
October 2nd week
(Science)		Develop: Chemical World: rates of reaction, environmental chemistry, materials science and sustainabilityDevelop: Chemical World: rates of reaction, environmental chemistry, materials science and sustainability Practice / retrieval taskDevelop: Chemical World: rates of reaction, environmental chemistry, materials science and sustainability Practical / data / discussion activity Check for understanding
October 3rd week
(Science)		Apply / investigate: Chemical World: rates of reaction, environmental chemistry, materials science and sustainabilityApply / investigate: Chemical World: rates of reaction, environmental chemistry, materials science and sustainability Practice / retrieval taskApply / investigate: Chemical World: rates of reaction, environmental chemistry, materials science and sustainability Practical / data / discussion activity Check for understanding
October 4th week
(Science)		Review, consolidate & assess: Biological World: respiration, photosynthesis, ecosystems and human impact on biodiversityReview, consolidate & assess: Biological World: respiration, photosynthesis, ecosystems and human impact on biodiversity Practice / retrieval taskReview, consolidate & assess: Biological World: respiration, photosynthesis, ecosystems and human impact on biodiversity Practical / data / discussion activity Check for understanding
November · Chemical World + CBA 2

3rd Year Science — November Lesson Plan

Irish Curriculum · Science
Week1 Day/Week2 Day/Week3 Day/Week
November 1st week
(Science)		Introduce: Chemical World: rates of reaction, environmental chemistry, materials science and sustainabilityIntroduce: Chemical World: rates of reaction, environmental chemistry, materials science and sustainability Practice / retrieval taskIntroduce: Chemical World: rates of reaction, environmental chemistry, materials science and sustainability Practical / data / discussion activity Check for understanding
November 2nd week
(Science)		Develop: CBA 2: Science in Society Investigation (SSI); Assessment Task; State Examination reviewDevelop: CBA 2: Science in Society Investigation (SSI); Assessment Task; State Examination review Practice / retrieval taskDevelop: CBA 2: Science in Society Investigation (SSI); Assessment Task; State Examination review Practical / data / discussion activity Check for understanding
November 3rd week
(Science)		Apply / investigate: CBA 2: Science in Society Investigation (SSI); Assessment Task; State Examination reviewApply / investigate: CBA 2: Science in Society Investigation (SSI); Assessment Task; State Examination review Practice / retrieval taskApply / investigate: CBA 2: Science in Society Investigation (SSI); Assessment Task; State Examination review Practical / data / discussion activity Check for understanding
November 4th week
(Science)		Review, consolidate & assess: Chemical World: rates of reaction, environmental chemistry, materials science and sustainabilityReview, consolidate & assess: Chemical World: rates of reaction, environmental chemistry, materials science and sustainability Practice / retrieval taskReview, consolidate & assess: Chemical World: rates of reaction, environmental chemistry, materials science and sustainability Practical / data / discussion activity Check for understanding
December · Physical World

3rd Year Science — December Lesson Plan

Irish Curriculum · Science
Week1 Day/Week2 Day/Week3 Day/Week
December 1st week
(Science)		Introduce: Physical World: motion, speed, acceleration, work, power and renewable energy technologiesIntroduce: Physical World: motion, speed, acceleration, work, power and renewable energy technologies Practice / retrieval taskIntroduce: Physical World: motion, speed, acceleration, work, power and renewable energy technologies Practical / data / discussion activity Check for understanding
December 2nd week
(Science)		Develop: Physical World: motion, speed, acceleration, work, power and renewable energy technologiesDevelop: Physical World: motion, speed, acceleration, work, power and renewable energy technologies Practice / retrieval taskDevelop: Physical World: motion, speed, acceleration, work, power and renewable energy technologies Practical / data / discussion activity Check for understanding
December 3rd week
(Science)		Apply / investigate: Physical World: motion, speed, acceleration, work, power and renewable energy technologiesApply / investigate: Physical World: motion, speed, acceleration, work, power and renewable energy technologies Practice / retrieval taskApply / investigate: Physical World: motion, speed, acceleration, work, power and renewable energy technologies Practical / data / discussion activity Check for understanding
December 4th week
(Science)		Review, consolidate & assess: Physical World: motion, speed, acceleration, work, power and renewable energy technologiesReview, consolidate & assess: Physical World: motion, speed, acceleration, work, power and renewable energy technologies Practice / retrieval taskReview, consolidate & assess: Physical World: motion, speed, acceleration, work, power and renewable energy technologies Practical / data / discussion activity Check for understanding
The learning framework

Anatomy of a focused lesson

Each session moves from a clear focus to guided practice and a quick check for understanding.

10 minutes

Retrieve and diagnose

Open with short questions that check the prior knowledge needed for the week’s 3rd Year Science topic.

25 minutes

Explore and explain

Work through the concept with diagrams and worked examples, then apply it to data, practicals and Junior Cycle-style questions.

10 minutes

Check for understanding

Finish with a short question or data task that shows progress towards the Junior Cycle exam.

Student learning toolkit

Resources for 3rd Year Science

Concept lessons

Clear explanations of each 3rd Year science topic in the order it comes up in school.

Practicals & investigations

Guided practicals, investigations and data analysis matched to each week of the plan.

Exam-style practice

Junior Cycle science questions with worked solutions and marking guidance.

Progress notes

Regular feedback for parents on strengths, gaps and next steps.

Free first lesson

Build a plan for 3rd Year Science

Tell us your child’s year, subjects and level, and where they are with Junior Cycle science, and we will shape the first grind around the 3rd Year Science topics that matter most.

  • No credit card required
  • A one-to-one session with a certified Science tutor
  • A recommended next-step study plan