2026 KICD CBC Curriculum Design4 Strands · 11 Sub-strands35 Suggested Lessons

Grade 3 Literacy Activities Strands, Sub-strands & Schemes of Work (2026)

Access the complete curriculum designs, strands, sub-strands, specific learning outcomes, inquiry questions, and downloadable schemes of work for Grade 3 Literacy Activities. Preview Term 1 below or choose your specific term for direct export to Microsoft Word (.docx) and PDF.

Grade 3 Literacy Activities Curriculum Facts

Summary of syllabus structure, strands, lesson periods, and approved textbooks for Grade 3 Literacy Activities under the Kenya CBC curriculum framework.

Class / Level
Grade 3
Pre-Primary Education
Major Strands
4 Strands
11 Sub-strands
Annual Lessons
35 Lesson Periods
5 Lessons Per Week
Terms Available
Terms 1, 2 & 3
Complete Word & PDF
Term 1 Live Preview

Grade 3 Literacy Activities Term 1 Scheme Table

13-week teaching matrix with specific learning outcomes, inquiry questions, learning experiences, and assessment methods.

Scheme Font Size:

Changes text size in this preview and in downloaded Word (.docx) & PDF files.

65 Lessons · Weeks Merged← Swipe horizontally to see all columns →
WkLsnStrandSub-strandSpecific Learning OutcomesKey Inquiry Question(s)Learning ExperiencesLearning ResourcesAssessment MethodsReflection
111.0 LISTENING AND SPEAKING1.1 Imitation

By the end of the sub strand, the learner should be able to;

a) use appropriate expressions and phrases in formal and non-formal conversations

b) acquire varied sentence structures to express self appropriately

c) respond appropriately to conversations with varied audiences

d) appreciate the importance of mannerisms while engaging in conversations

-

- Learners are guided to make inquiries on the different forms of conversation with various people in their community (peers, elders)

- Learners simulate conversations in different settings(focus on age appropriateness, gender differences, reinforce good mannerisms) in pairs and groups .

- Learners role play conversations in different setups (church, market, home etc)

- Learners take turns as they participate in panel discussions on issues related to self, home, and family

- Learners engage in a range of drama activities e.g. hot seating (learner is put on a hot seat as the head teacher, village elder) as learners practice appropriate communication( greetings, permission, inquiries)

Approved course textbooks, realia, charts

- Observation

- Oral questions

- Written exercises

(Handwritten after lesson)
21.0 LISTENING AND SPEAKING1.1 Imitation

By the end of the sub strand, the learner should be able to;

a) use appropriate expressions and phrases in formal and non-formal conversations

b) acquire varied sentence structures to express self appropriately

c) respond appropriately to conversations with varied audiences

d) appreciate the importance of mannerisms while engaging in conversations

-

- Learners are guided to make inquiries on the different forms of conversation with various people in their community (peers, elders)

- Learners simulate conversations in different settings(focus on age appropriateness, gender differences, reinforce good mannerisms) in pairs and groups .

- Learners role play conversations in different setups (church, market, home etc)

- Learners take turns as they participate in panel discussions on issues related to self, home, and family

- Learners engage in a range of drama activities e.g. hot seating (learner is put on a hot seat as the head teacher, village elder) as learners practice appropriate communication( greetings, permission, inquiries)

Approved course textbooks, realia, charts

- Observation

- Oral questions

- Written exercises

(Handwritten after lesson)
31.0 LISTENING AND SPEAKING1.1 Imitation

By the end of the sub strand, the learner should be able to;

a) use appropriate expressions and phrases in formal and non-formal conversations

b) acquire varied sentence structures to express self appropriately

c) respond appropriately to conversations with varied audiences

d) appreciate the importance of mannerisms while engaging in conversations

-

- Learners are guided to make inquiries on the different forms of conversation with various people in their community (peers, elders)

- Learners simulate conversations in different settings(focus on age appropriateness, gender differences, reinforce good mannerisms) in pairs and groups .

- Learners role play conversations in different setups (church, market, home etc)

- Learners take turns as they participate in panel discussions on issues related to self, home, and family

- Learners engage in a range of drama activities e.g. hot seating (learner is put on a hot seat as the head teacher, village elder) as learners practice appropriate communication( greetings, permission, inquiries)

Approved course textbooks, realia, charts

- Observation

- Oral questions

- Written exercises

(Handwritten after lesson)
41.0 LISTENING AND SPEAKING1.1 Imitation

By the end of the sub strand, the learner should be able to;

a) use appropriate expressions and phrases in formal and non-formal conversations

b) acquire varied sentence structures to express self appropriately

c) respond appropriately to conversations with varied audiences

d) appreciate the importance of mannerisms while engaging in conversations

-

- Learners are guided to make inquiries on the different forms of conversation with various people in their community (peers, elders)

- Learners simulate conversations in different settings(focus on age appropriateness, gender differences, reinforce good mannerisms) in pairs and groups .

- Learners role play conversations in different setups (church, market, home etc)

- Learners take turns as they participate in panel discussions on issues related to self, home, and family

- Learners engage in a range of drama activities e.g. hot seating (learner is put on a hot seat as the head teacher, village elder) as learners practice appropriate communication( greetings, permission, inquiries)

Approved course textbooks, realia, charts

- Observation

- Oral questions

- Written exercises

(Handwritten after lesson)
51.0 LISTENING AND SPEAKING1.1 Imitation

By the end of the sub strand, the learner should be able to;

a) use appropriate expressions and phrases in formal and non-formal conversations

b) acquire varied sentence structures to express self appropriately

c) respond appropriately to conversations with varied audiences

d) appreciate the importance of mannerisms while engaging in conversations

-

- Learners are guided to make inquiries on the different forms of conversation with various people in their community (peers, elders)

- Learners simulate conversations in different settings(focus on age appropriateness, gender differences, reinforce good mannerisms) in pairs and groups .

- Learners role play conversations in different setups (church, market, home etc)

- Learners take turns as they participate in panel discussions on issues related to self, home, and family

- Learners engage in a range of drama activities e.g. hot seating (learner is put on a hot seat as the head teacher, village elder) as learners practice appropriate communication( greetings, permission, inquiries)

Approved course textbooks, realia, charts

- Observation

- Oral questions

- Written exercises

(Handwritten after lesson)
211.0 LISTENING AND SPEAKING1.2 Story Telling

By the end of the sub strand, the learner should be able to;

a) use digital knowledge to create stories

b) acquire and accurately use appropriate words

1. What do stories teach us?

- Learners listen to stories and model different techniques of story telling

- Learners listen to stories from various digital platforms and use the same platforms to create their stories

Approved course textbooks, realia, charts

- Observation

- Oral questions

- Written exercises

(Handwritten after lesson)
21.0 LISTENING AND SPEAKING1.2 Story Telling

By the end of the sub strand, the learner should be able to;

a) use digital knowledge to create stories

b) acquire and accurately use appropriate words

1. What do stories teach us?

- Learners listen to stories and model different techniques of story telling

- Learners listen to stories from various digital platforms and use the same platforms to create their stories

Approved course textbooks, realia, charts

- Observation

- Oral questions

- Written exercises

(Handwritten after lesson)
31.0 LISTENING AND SPEAKING1.2 Story Telling

By the end of the sub strand, the learner should be able to;

a) use digital knowledge to create stories

b) acquire and accurately use appropriate words

1. What do stories teach us?

- Learners listen to stories and model different techniques of story telling

- Learners listen to stories from various digital platforms and use the same platforms to create their stories

Approved course textbooks, realia, charts

- Observation

- Oral questions

- Written exercises

(Handwritten after lesson)
41.0 LISTENING AND SPEAKING1.2 Story Telling

By the end of the sub strand, the learner should be able to;

a) use digital knowledge to create stories

b) acquire and accurately use appropriate words

1. What do stories teach us?

- Learners listen to stories and model different techniques of story telling

- Learners listen to stories from various digital platforms and use the same platforms to create their stories

Approved course textbooks, realia, charts

- Observation

- Oral questions

- Written exercises

(Handwritten after lesson)
51.0 LISTENING AND SPEAKING1.3 Effective communication(sharing experiences)

By the end of the sub strand, the learner should be able to;

a) use compound and complex sentences to link thoughts

b) listen and use talk to organize and clarify thoughts and ideas

c) effectively communicate needs and feelings in a variety of ways

d) listen to concerns and opinions of others and represent them in an appropriate forum

e) demonstrate willingness to interact with others

f) appreciate the importance of sharing one another's feelings

1. Learners listen to stories and identify the main idea in pairs, groups and whole class Learners participate in play both in and out of class to enhance communication Learners listen to others as they share personal experiences on selected themes Learners share their opinions and represent the views of others to relevant authorities e.g. child abuse?

- information to share with their peers in the community (age appropriate

- topics)

- interest and share information learned in class

Approved course textbooks, realia, charts

- Observation

- Oral questions

- Written exercises

(Handwritten after lesson)
311.0 LISTENING AND SPEAKING1.3 Effective communication(sharing experiences)

By the end of the sub strand, the learner should be able to;

a) use compound and complex sentences to link thoughts

b) listen and use talk to organize and clarify thoughts and ideas

c) effectively communicate needs and feelings in a variety of ways

d) listen to concerns and opinions of others and represent them in an appropriate forum

e) demonstrate willingness to interact with others

f) appreciate the importance of sharing one another's feelings

1. Learners listen to stories and identify the main idea in pairs, groups and whole class Learners participate in play both in and out of class to enhance communication Learners listen to others as they share personal experiences on selected themes Learners share their opinions and represent the views of others to relevant authorities e.g. child abuse?

- information to share with their peers in the community (age appropriate

- topics)

- interest and share information learned in class

Approved course textbooks, realia, charts

- Observation

- Oral questions

- Written exercises

(Handwritten after lesson)
21.0 LISTENING AND SPEAKING1.3 Effective communication(sharing experiences)

By the end of the sub strand, the learner should be able to;

a) use compound and complex sentences to link thoughts

b) listen and use talk to organize and clarify thoughts and ideas

c) effectively communicate needs and feelings in a variety of ways

d) listen to concerns and opinions of others and represent them in an appropriate forum

e) demonstrate willingness to interact with others

f) appreciate the importance of sharing one another's feelings

1. Learners listen to stories and identify the main idea in pairs, groups and whole class Learners participate in play both in and out of class to enhance communication Learners listen to others as they share personal experiences on selected themes Learners share their opinions and represent the views of others to relevant authorities e.g. child abuse?

- information to share with their peers in the community (age appropriate

- topics)

- interest and share information learned in class

Approved course textbooks, realia, charts

- Observation

- Oral questions

- Written exercises

(Handwritten after lesson)
31.0 LISTENING AND SPEAKING1.3 Effective communication(sharing experiences)

By the end of the sub strand, the learner should be able to;

a) use compound and complex sentences to link thoughts

b) listen and use talk to organize and clarify thoughts and ideas

c) effectively communicate needs and feelings in a variety of ways

d) listen to concerns and opinions of others and represent them in an appropriate forum

e) demonstrate willingness to interact with others

f) appreciate the importance of sharing one another's feelings

1. Learners listen to stories and identify the main idea in pairs, groups and whole class Learners participate in play both in and out of class to enhance communication Learners listen to others as they share personal experiences on selected themes Learners share their opinions and represent the views of others to relevant authorities e.g. child abuse?

- information to share with their peers in the community (age appropriate

- topics)

- interest and share information learned in class

Approved course textbooks, realia, charts

- Observation

- Oral questions

- Written exercises

(Handwritten after lesson)
41.0 LISTENING AND SPEAKING1.4 Talk about

By the end of the sub strand, the learner should be able to;

a) identify messages conveyed in a thematic story and engage in oral discussions

b) use appropriate expressions to describe people, situations, and events

c) build on one's ideas in a conversation by linking them to those given by others

d) develop an interest to read stories and texts.

1. What do you like to talk about?

- Learners to talk about thematic pictures on charts displayed (my family, my community)

- Learners engage in conversations to talk about thematic texts from different media, in groups, pairs, and whole class

- Learners role play and discuss rules that govern social interactions when talking.

- Learners orally answer questions from a story read

- Learners share the message in a story with peers, parents, and others in the community

Approved course textbooks, realia, charts

- Observation

- Oral questions

- Written exercises

(Handwritten after lesson)
51.0 LISTENING AND SPEAKING1.4 Talk about

By the end of the sub strand, the learner should be able to;

a) identify messages conveyed in a thematic story and engage in oral discussions

b) use appropriate expressions to describe people, situations, and events

c) build on one's ideas in a conversation by linking them to those given by others

d) develop an interest to read stories and texts.

1. What do you like to talk about?

- Learners to talk about thematic pictures on charts displayed (my family, my community)

- Learners engage in conversations to talk about thematic texts from different media, in groups, pairs, and whole class

- Learners role play and discuss rules that govern social interactions when talking.

- Learners orally answer questions from a story read

- Learners share the message in a story with peers, parents, and others in the community

Approved course textbooks, realia, charts

- Observation

- Oral questions

- Written exercises

(Handwritten after lesson)
Official KICD Syllabus

Grade 3 Literacy Activities Strands and Sub-strands (Full Curriculum)

Explore the complete curriculum designs for Grade 3 Literacy Activities. Includes specific learning outcomes (SLOs), key inquiry questions (KIQs), learning experiences, and teaching resources.

1
Strand 1.0

1.0 LISTENING AND SPEAKING

5 Sub-strands5 Lessons

1.1 1.1 Imitation

Term 11 Lessons
Specific Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

By the end of this sub-strand, the learner should be able to:

  • use appropriate expressions and phrases in formal and non-formal conversations
  • acquire varied sentence structures to express self appropriately
  • respond appropriately to conversations with varied audiences
  • appreciate the importance of mannerisms while engaging in conversations
Suggested Experiences
  • Learners are guided to make inquiries on the different forms of conversation with various people in their community (peers, elders)
  • Learners simulate conversations in different settings(focus on age appropriateness, gender differences, reinforce good mannerisms) in pairs and groups .
  • Learners role play conversations in different setups (church, market, home etc)
  • Learners take turns as they participate in panel discussions on issues related to self, home, and family
  • Learners engage in a range of drama activities e.g. hot seating (learner is put on a hot seat as the head teacher, village elder) as learners practice appropriate communication( greetings, permission, inquiries)
Teaching Resources

Approved course books, concrete realia, charts, manipulatives & digital devices.

1.2 1.2 Story Telling

Term 11 Lessons
Specific Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

By the end of this sub-strand, the learner should be able to:

  • use digital knowledge to create stories
  • acquire and accurately use appropriate words
Key Inquiry Questions (KIQs)
  • What do stories teach us?
Suggested Experiences
  • Learners listen to stories and model different techniques of story telling
  • Learners listen to stories from various digital platforms and use the same platforms to create their stories
Teaching Resources

Approved course books, concrete realia, charts, manipulatives & digital devices.

1.3 1.3 Effective communication(sharing experiences)

Term 11 Lessons
Specific Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

By the end of this sub-strand, the learner should be able to:

  • use compound and complex sentences to link thoughts
  • listen and use talk to organize and clarify thoughts and ideas
  • effectively communicate needs and feelings in a variety of ways
  • listen to concerns and opinions of others and represent them in an appropriate forum
  • demonstrate willingness to interact with others
  • appreciate the importance of sharing one another's feelings
Key Inquiry Questions (KIQs)
  • Learners listen to stories and identify the main idea in pairs, groups and whole class Learners participate in play both in and out of class to enhance communication Learners listen to others as they share personal experiences on selected themes Learners share their opinions and represent the views of others to relevant authorities e.g. child abuse?
Suggested Experiences
  • information to share with their peers in the community (age appropriate
  • topics)
  • interest and share information learned in class
Teaching Resources

Approved course books, concrete realia, charts, manipulatives & digital devices.

1.4 1.4 Talk about

Term 11 Lessons
Specific Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

By the end of this sub-strand, the learner should be able to:

  • identify messages conveyed in a thematic story and engage in oral discussions
  • use appropriate expressions to describe people, situations, and events
  • build on one's ideas in a conversation by linking them to those given by others
  • develop an interest to read stories and texts.
Key Inquiry Questions (KIQs)
  • What do you like to talk about?
Suggested Experiences
  • Learners to talk about thematic pictures on charts displayed (my family, my community)
  • Learners engage in conversations to talk about thematic texts from different media, in groups, pairs, and whole class
  • Learners role play and discuss rules that govern social interactions when talking.
  • Learners orally answer questions from a story read
  • Learners share the message in a story with peers, parents, and others in the community
Teaching Resources

Approved course books, concrete realia, charts, manipulatives & digital devices.

1.5 1.5 Presentation skills

Term 11 Lessons
Specific Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

By the end of this sub-strand, the learner should be able to:

  • question the decisions made in their environment and ask critical questions
  • engage in decision making in their environment.
  • sequentially position their views using appropriate words e.g firstly, secondly, lastly
  • demonstrate an interest in making
Key Inquiry Questions (KIQs)
  • How do we choose between two things?
  • How do we tell others what we have chosen?
Suggested Experiences
  • Learners make decisions on a subject and share their decisions
  • Learners share and justify their decisions on a given subject in pairs and groups
  • Learners are given opportunities for decision- making(dilemma situations) and make constructive
Teaching Resources

Approved course books, concrete realia, charts, manipulatives & digital devices.

2
Strand 2.0

2.0 READING

2 Sub-strands10 Lessons

2.1 2.1 Independent reading

Term 15 Lessons
Specific Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

By the end of this sub-strand, the learner should be able to:

  • identify the main idea in a passage
  • locate information from print sources
  • silently read a given passage
  • read supplementary books with understanding
  • develop an interest in reading for pleasure
Key Inquiry Questions (KIQs)
  • Learners guess the meaning of unfamiliar words from context Learners make and confirm predictions from texts read Learners find answers to questions through independent reading Learners are encouraged to utilize resources available in the library for independent reading Learners ask and answer questions from independent reading?
Suggested Experiences
  • they have read with members of the family
Teaching Resources

Approved course books, concrete realia, charts, manipulatives & digital devices.

2.2 2.2 Reading comprehension

Specific Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

By the end of this sub-strand, the learner should be able to:

  • read with accuracy, fluency, and understanding
  • read through texts to make personal judgments or opinions on the subjects of the text
  • locate information in a text
  • use acquired words to form sentences and read them accurately at an appropriate speed
  • develop an interest in reading widely on varied subjects
Key Inquiry Questions (KIQs)
  • Why is meaning important in reading?
Suggested Experiences
  • Learners answer and generate questions from texts read
  • Learners are encouraged to make connections between materials read and real life
  • Learners use vocabulary acquired to construct grammatically correct sentences
  • Learners practice reading at an appropriate speed and with understanding
  • Learners are guided to share their opinions based on texts read
Teaching Resources

Approved course books, concrete realia, charts, manipulatives & digital devices.

3
Strand 3.0

3.0WRITING

1 Sub-strand5 Lessons

3.1 3.1 Sentence formation

Term 25 Lessons
Specific Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

By the end of this sub-strand, the learner should be able to:

  • write a variety of compound and complex sentence
Key Inquiry Questions (KIQs)
  • How do we construct sentences?
  • Why do we?
Suggested Experiences
  • Learners observe as teacher explicitly models use of sentence punctuation
  • Learners practice methods of taking notes and compare with one another, in pairs and groups,
Teaching Resources

Approved course books, concrete realia, charts, manipulatives & digital devices.

4
Strand 4.0

3.0 WRITING

3 Sub-strands15 Lessons

4.1 3.2 Spelling instruction

Term 25 Lessons
Specific Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

By the end of this sub-strand, the learner should be able to:

  • use a range of spelling strategies to correct misspelled words
  • apply rules of spelling in writing
  • appreciate the importance of accurate spelling in texts
Key Inquiry Questions (KIQs)
  • Learners do word study on word patterns (for similarities and differences), in pairs and small groups Learners practice sorting words according to given patterns. Learners use reinforcement activities to relate patterns to themes i.e.(sing the song avocado, papaya, banana x2 fruits are life) Learners engage in spelling games e.g. forming words from letter cut outs, scrabble, spelling relay Learners brainstorm on new words learned and practice spelling them in writing(punctuation, accurate spelling, letter formation, and spacing) Learners identify and correct spelling errors in texts read?
Suggested Experiences
  • community to conduct word studies of new words and share with other learners in
  • class
Teaching Resources

Approved course books, concrete realia, charts, manipulatives & digital devices.

4.2 3.3 Handwriting

Specific Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

By the end of this sub-strand, the learner should be able to:

  • use capital letters correctly
  • use appropriate spacing between words
  • use legible and neat handwriting to communicate effectively
  • appreciate the importance of linking words in paragraph development
Key Inquiry Questions (KIQs)
  • Learners observe displayed model handwriting Learners are guided to write for sustained period individually and in pairs Learners practice effective punctuation (capitalization, commas, and full stop). Learners are provided with reading material as triggers to writing Learners are guided through think- pair- share to discuss linking words?
Teaching Resources

Approved course books, concrete realia, charts, manipulatives & digital devices.

4.3 3.4 Creative writing

Term 35 Lessons
Specific Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

By the end of this sub-strand, the learner should be able to:

  • develop strategies for writing creative texts
  • experiment with language choice in imaginative writing
  • compose simple texts in written and digital formats
  • engage in writing activity for a sustained period
  • demonstrate a sense of ownership in
Key Inquiry Questions (KIQs)
  • Why is it important to use linking words when writing paragraphs?
  • How do we organize ideas to make a story interesting?
Suggested Experiences
  • Learners practice creative writing(drafting, revising, editing, proofreading and publishing creative texts), in pairs and groups
  • Learners create and publish writing using digital tools, in pairs and groups
  • Learners display their creative works in the classroom, notice boards, the school magazine. Portfolio)
  • Learners participate in creative writing competitions at school and
Teaching Resources

Approved course books, concrete realia, charts, manipulatives & digital devices.

Grade 3 Literacy Activities Schemes of Work by Term (1, 2 & 3)

Download editable schemes of work and explore strands for all terms in Grade 3 Literacy Activities.

Term 1 Scheme13 Weeks
  • 1.0 LISTENING AND SPEAKING
  • 2.0 READING
Term 2 Scheme14 Weeks
  • 2.0 READING
  • 3.0WRITING
  • 3.0 WRITING
Term 3 Scheme9 Weeks
  • 3.0 WRITING

Other Grade 3 Learning Areas & Schemes

Download complete, editable schemes of work and explore strands for all subjects in Grade 3.

Explore Schemes for Other CBC Classes

Browse curriculum designs and ready-to-print schemes across Pre-Primary, Primary, and Junior Secondary levels.

Curriculum Compliance & Official Accreditation

All schemes of work on this platform are meticulously aligned with official standards set by Kenyan educational statutory authorities:

Help & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main strands in Grade 3 Literacy Activities?

The official KICD strands for Grade 3 Literacy Activities are: 1.0 LISTENING AND SPEAKING, 2.0 READING, 3.0WRITING, 3.0 WRITING. Each strand is broken down into structured sub-strands with specific learning outcomes, inquiry questions, and suggested lesson periods.

Which sub-strands are taught across Term 1, Term 2, and Term 3 in Grade 3 Literacy Activities?

The curriculum is systematically distributed across all three terms based on Ministry of Education term durations. Term 1 covers foundational strands, Term 2 advances core competencies, and Term 3 focuses on measurement, geometry, application, and revision. Review the curriculum breakdown above for the term-by-term allocation.

Are specific learning outcomes and inquiry questions included in these schemes?

Yes, every lesson in our Grade 3 Literacy Activities schemes contains exact KICD specific learning outcomes (knowledge, skills, and attitudes), key inquiry questions, learning experiences, and assessment methods.

Can I download editable Word (.docx) and PDF schemes for Grade 3 Literacy Activities?

Yes! You can instantly download formatted, editable Microsoft Word files (.docx) or print-ready PDFs for Term 1, Term 2, and Term 3, or customize them with your school name, TSC number, and term dates.