Welcome to the NERDC-compliant Scheme of Work for Primary 3 Mathematics First Term. This structured guide provides a week-by-week outline to help teachers, parents, and school administrators deliver engaging and consistent mathematics lessons throughout the term. It follows the official Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) curriculum, ensuring alignment with national educational standards and goals.
This scheme focuses on foundational numeracy skills such as number counting, place value, ordering of numbers, introduction to fractions, and the four basic mathematical operations. Each topic has been sequenced to build upon previous knowledge, helping pupils grow in confidence and accuracy. The lessons incorporate real-life contexts to enhance understanding, using everyday examples like currency, time, shapes, and measurements.
Teachers can use this guide to plan interactive and student-centered lessons. Pupils benefit from a progressive structure that introduces mathematical concepts in manageable steps, using repetition and varied learning methods to improve retention. Parents can also use this scheme at home to reinforce classroom learning with simple activities such as identifying numbers in their environment, counting objects, practicing addition and subtraction with coins, and measuring household items.
The structure of this scheme also supports preparation for key national assessments such as the Common Entrance Examination and serves as a foundation for more advanced tests like the WAEC. It introduces problem-solving techniques and encourages the development of logical reasoning through practice questions and classwork.
By following the scheme closely, schools can maintain consistency in teaching quality and learning outcomes across classrooms. It ensures all pupils receive comprehensive mathematical exposure at the Primary 3 level and helps educators monitor progress through weekly objectives. The goal is to make math an enjoyable and rewarding subject, setting pupils on a strong path toward academic excellence.
Full Scheme of Work: Primary 3 Mathematics (First Term)
| Week | Topic | Learning Objectives |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Revision & Resumption Test | – Count and reverse numbers 1–300- Write numbers 1–600- Identify place value- Skip count in 4s, 5s, 10s- Solve real-life problems |
| Week 2 | Counting Whole Numbers (601–620) | – Count, identify, and order numbers up to 620- Skip count in 5s, 6s- Write in words and numerals- Apply in real-life situations |
| Week 3 | Place Value (621–640) | – Identify place values (hundreds, tens, units)- Skip count in 6s, 7s- Group and analyze value of digits- Solve quantitative reasoning |
| Week 4 | Ordering Numbers & Symbols | – Use <, >, = symbols- Order numbers 1–660- Skip count and compare values- Practice reasoning problems |
| Week 5 | Introduction to Fractions | – Draw and identify fractions using shapes- Represent fractions of real objects- Write fractions in numbers- Count 661–680 |
| Week 6 | More on Fractions | – Write equivalent fractions- Add simple fractions with same denominators- Skip count- Solve real-life math problems |
| Week 7 | Mid-Term Break | – No formal lesson. Use for mid-term tests or review |
| Week 8 | Addition of Whole Numbers | – Add 2- and 3-digit numbers without carrying- Add multiple numbers step-by-step- Apply in problem-solving |
| Week 9 | Addition (Advanced) | – Add numbers using the partial sum method- Practice 3-digit addition- Solve real-life addition problems |
| Week 10 | Subtraction of Numbers | – Subtract 2- and 3-digit numbers with and without borrowing- Use partial difference method- Real-world applications |
| Week 11 | Revision | – Recall term topics- Address individual challenges- Practice all concepts |
| Week 12 | Examination | – Test overall understanding of first-term topics |
Why This Scheme of Work Matters
This scheme of work plays a vital role in ensuring structured and goal-oriented learning for Primary 3 pupils. It helps teachers introduce mathematics concepts in a logical progression, starting from simple counting to more advanced topics like place value, fractions, and operations. By building skills in stages, pupils can master each concept before moving on to the next.
Its direct alignment with the NERDC curriculum ensures that all lessons meet national educational standards and fulfill the requirements expected at this level of basic education. This makes it an ideal tool for lesson planning and classroom implementation across public and private schools in Nigeria.
The scheme also supports assessment readiness by covering topics commonly found in national examinations such as the Common Entrance and laying the foundation for WAEC-level reasoning. It incorporates core skills such as recognizing patterns, solving real-life numerical problems, and developing mathematical thinking.
Through weekly lessons, the scheme integrates academic learning with everyday application. Pupils are encouraged to practice logical reasoning, make comparisons, estimate quantities, and understand number relationships. This integration of skills helps them become confident problem-solvers and prepares them for success beyond the classroom.
Tips for Effective Use
Teachers use this scheme to plan weekly lessons with clear learning outcomes. They introduce topics gradually, starting with number sense before moving on to operations and fractions. Each lesson should combine direct teaching with hands-on practice, using counting objects, number charts, and mental math drills to help pupils understand and retain concepts.
Parents rely on the scheme to follow what their children learn each week. They can support the learning process by reinforcing classwork at home. For example, they can use real-life scenarios like counting money, sorting objects, or measuring ingredients while cooking to make math practical and engaging. These home activities deepen understanding and build confidence.
Students practice daily using class exercises, games, songs, and story problems that connect math to their everyday lives. They improve faster when they revise lessons regularly and engage with fun activities that help them apply what they learn. Whether it’s identifying shapes around the house or adding up scores during a game, pupils benefit most when they make learning a part of daily life.
By working together, teachers, parents, and pupils can fully benefit from the structure this scheme provides. Each group has a role to play in turning classroom goals into real progress. This guide not only outlines what to teach but also how to engage every learner actively in the process.
