Conversations - Grade 3 - English

Expert Opinion

Dr Rejaul Karim Barbhuiya Assistant Professor, Central Institute of Educational Technology (CIET), NCERT, Ministry of Education, Government of India

Times have changed. Today is not the time of memorising and copying. Students must be enabled to think for themselves and articulate their thoughts well. They should be able to participate meaningfully and confidently in day-to-day activities – whether it be buying groceries, registering a formal complaint, or voicing opinions freely. A problem-solving attitude, critical outlook, scientific temperament and creativity are non-negotiable skills in the 21st century.

The National Education Policy 2020 talks about technology playing an important role in improving the learning outcomes and learning experiences of children. With the growing penetration of the internet and the easy availability of smartphones and other electronic devices, both parents and teachers can participate in and supervise children's learning through various online apps, quizzes, videos, e-books, educational games and so on. In a nutshell, digital learning has the potential to impact on what children learn and how they learn.

Aakash Chowkase

In the post-Covid world, more than ever before, the parents' role is being seen as pivotal to children's growth and learning. The National Education Policy 2020 released by the Government of India, recognises parents as equal partners in their children's education. At home, it is important for caregivers to create a safe, engaging and positive environment for children to learn, apply themselves and have fun. Parents can also engage actively with children around their homework, curricular and co-curricular activities and projects.

NEP 2020 acknowledges the multilingual reality of India and asserts that the bridge of home language or other familiar language is absolutely crucial for children in the foundational years, not only to help them to comprehend basic subjects, but also to acquire additional languages like English. Thus, the needs-based and systematic use of learners' home languages should be encouraged in the classrooms, along with an anxiety-free, purpose-oriented and input-rich environment.

Aparna Dixit Head of Content and Research, Centre for Learning Resources

Ms Sonia Kumari Assistant Professor, Kamala Nehru College, University of Delhi

Dr

Post-doctoral Research Fellow, University of California, Berkeley, USA, Department of Psychology

Thanks to globalization and the emergence of technologies, international boundaries have become blurred. English, to a high degree, is a commonly understood medium of communication. It is one of the key tools that students need to perform well today and in the future. According to a global study, while recruiting, 98.5% of employers implicitly or explicitly assess a candidate’s English communication skills! There is therefore a growing demand for English communication skills, because it empowers people and enables them to lead a better life.

Functional communication skills, involving aspects of LSRW (listening, speaking, reading and writing), are central to knowledge acquisition, children’s intellectual, social and emotional growth, and life-long learning. Specifically, strong listening and speaking skills are not only vital in the overall language learning process, but also lead to better reading and writing skills. Yet, these foundational skills tend to be neglected in schools due to the high pupil-teacher ratio, lack of oral language-focused assessment, and most importantly, a lack of systematic and allocated practice time for these skills within the classroom.

Aligned with NEP 2020, NCERT learning outcomes and standardized to CEFR (Common European Framework for Reference) levels, Uolo Speak is a hybrid learning program that focuses on building, applying, practising, and assessing these core language skills.

First, through this book as one of the components of the program, the English classroom becomes an avenue to hone functional speaking skills in real time. The teacher-led activities give learners the opportunity to undertake high-quality, level-appropriate, and experiential activities that help to build confidence and expression in English.

Second, the mobile interface of the product ensures consistent practice of functional LSRW skills. These exercises go beyond traditional question types and employ cutting-edge technology to enable learning and generate instant feedback. For instance, learners practise speaking with Al (artificial intelligence), as if conversing with a real person!

Third, Uolo Speak assessment can be conducted by the school in sync with their academic calendars. The assessment is evaluated by Uolo’s English specialists to give performance report and feedback.

Finally, the reporting methodology used in the above three program components, generates a skill growth chart against CEFR levels for each learner, class and the school. Educators can then clearly identify learners who are reaching, meeting, and exceeding the level requirements, and support them accordingly.

Uolo Speak is a powerful, exciting, and unique experience for learners and teachers. It represents a real life and results-oriented approach to develop essential 21st century functional English skills.

Wishing all teachers, parents, and learners lots of fun and joyful experiences as you embark upon this exciting journey with Uolo Speak.

Dr Laraine O'Connell

D. Litt., English, North West University, South Africa

I am a veteran English teacher and lecturer, with a great love for English and for teaching. I have taught English and trained teachers over many years. I live in South Africa and it is a wonderful experience working with a company promoting the learning of English in India.

Each chapter is divided into three sections - Part A, E-Speak, and Part B.

Part A is period 1. It has one text and one classroom activity.

E-Speak section has two mobile app projects. These projects can be done at home or in school.

Part B is period 2. It has one fun activity and one presentation task.

Chapter 2

When and Where?

When? Where? At 8?

Chapter number and name

9

Animation video

Keywords

1 Following Directions Directions

2

3

4

When and Where? Time, date and place

Follow simple directions

Give simple directions

Identify details about date, time and place

Tell date, time and place

Dos and Don’ts! Dos and Don'ts Identify dos and don'ts Tell dos and don'ts

Think and Tell Describing something

5 My Experiences

6

Sharing personal experience

Good vs Bad Advantages and disadvantages

Identify key details from descriptions

Describe a person/place/animal/thing with a few details

Ask simple questions to understand someone's experience

Talk about a personal experience with concrete details

Identify the advantages and disdvantages of something

Tell a few advantages and disdvantages of something

7 Daily Conversations Conversations in daily life Ask questions during a conversation

Respond politely during a conversation 8 My Likes and Dislikes Likes and dislikes

Identify others' likes and dislikes

Share personal likes and dislikes 9

It’s Rhyme Time! Rhyming lines

Enjoy listening to poems

Create and sing short rhyming lines

Following Directions

SCHOOL SHOPPING MALL PARK

Hide and Seek

“Go on, now! Run and hide.

Run to the back or rush to the side. It is Ria’s first day at this game.

Come everyone, tell her your name.

Now, I will count to ten.

You must go and hide till then.

Stop! Don’t you take a peek.

Watch out! I am on the move to seek.

Ria gets caught. Others still hide, Behind the bench or near the slide. Please help me. I tried my best.

Can you tell me, where are the rest?”

“Take ten steps forward, then move to your right.

Look behind the bushes, there is someone in white.

Hurry up! Look under the slide. That’s where Tina, Mina, and Rina hide.”

It was a fun day at the park. Everyone was caught before it was dark.

hide (hide): to go to a place where no one can see or find you peek (peek): a quick look rush (ruhsh): to move very quickly seek (seek): to try to find something

Speak on the Spot

Boost your speaking!

Follow the Directions

Listen to the teacher. Repeat loudly. Follow the directions.

Practise at home!

Sweets Shop

Tell Ravi how to reach the sweet shop. Then, record it.

The Way to the Washroom

How to reach the washroom from your classroom? Give directions.

Road Signs

Match the signs with the directions.

Plan and Speak

The final show!

Find the Way

Choose any ONE place in your school. Tell the direction to reach there.

Tick (ü) any one place in your school. 1

staffroom library

water cooler area

principal’s office playground

Write: Write down the directions to reach that place from your 2

Hello! I will tell the directions to .

First, . Then, . .

back go forward

front

go downstairs go upstairs come backwards

cross next to go straight take a right 7

Practise: Practise giving these directions to your family members.

Present: Tell the place you chose. Give directions to reach that place.

Speak loudly and clearly.

Star Scale

each presentation!

Hi Swati,

You’re invited to my party!

I’ll be nine years old,

Dress warm, for the day may be cold!

The party will be on Sunday, 20 November, It will be a fun day to remember.

Come home to 23 Gems Colony, Lane 10,

We begin at 1 o’clock and end at 5 o’clock.

We’ll all be together and have a wonderful party, With Ali, Beena, Rakhi, Vijay, Gurpreet, and Aarti!

Please let me know if you can make it, In time for the birthday candles to be lit!

– Mansi

dress warm (dres wawm): wear winter clothes invited (in.vai.tuhd): asked someone to come to a gathering remember (ri.mem.buh): think of something or someone from the past wonderful (wuhn.duh.fl): very good

Mansi’s birthday is on…

The birthday party starts at…

The birthday party ends at…

The birthday party is at…

Answer in complete sentences.

Look at the teacher while speaking.

Practise at home!

Award Function

There is an award function at your school. Listen to the invitation. Then record it.

Going Out with Parents

You went out with your parents. Tell your friend about it.

March 23

Date, Time and Place

Match the following.

I go to the park in the evening.

My English test is on 23 March.

I wake up in the morning at 8 o’clock.

There is a race at my school today.

Plan and Speak

The final show!

What I Did Last Sunday?

Write what you did last Sunday. Practice saying it aloud. Tell about it in the classroom.

Sunday

Write: Complete the sentences to tell what you did last Sunday.

Hello!

Last Sunday, I woke up at o’clock.

(time)

I . I went to bed at o’clock. Thank you!

(what you did / where you went) (time)

Practise: Practise speaking about your Sunday activities in front of your family.

Present: In the class, tell your friends about your last Sunday.

You can read from your book. Speak loudly and clearly. Smile, don’t be scared!

Star Scale

Rate each presentation!

Write your friend’s name

Write your friend’s name

Write your friend’s name

Chapter 3 Dos and Don’ts!

How to Make a Paper Dog Face

Let’s learn how to make a paper dog face. Follow the instructions given below.

Materials required:

Step 1: Take a square-shaped origami paper.

Coloured origami sheet

Coloured pens

Step 2: Fold the paper diagonally in half. Don’t crush the paper.

Step 3: Don’t cut the paper. Just fold it to make a triangle.

Step 4: Fold one corner down.

Step 5: Do the same to the other side.

Step 6: Fold the bottom corner of one sheet up. Don’t fold both the sheets.

Step 7: Make eyes, nose, and a tongue as shown in the picture.

Now your paper dog face is ready. Which animal do you want to make next?

diagonally (dai·a·guh·nuh·lee): in a way that joins two opposite corners of something instructions (in·struh·kshnz): steps that teach you how to do something materials (muh·tee·ree·uhlz): things used to make new things origami (aw·ruh·gaa·mee): the art of folding paper to make different shapes

Speak on the Spot

Boost your speaking!

What to Do?

Look at the instructions to make a paper dog face again. Tick (ü) the right steps and cross (×) the wrong steps. Finally, tell your teacher what you should do and what you should not do.

We should... We should not...

Practise at home!

Safety Is the Key

Listen to some DOS and DON’TS about road safety. Then, record it.

Save Parks

Tell us TWO things that you should NOT do in a park.

raise hands

fight with others

use dustbins sleep in class

We should . We should not . reach on time talk loudly

We should . We should not .

Practise: At home, practise saying the dos and don'ts of the school.

Present: In class, tell your friends some dos and don'ts of the school.

First, tell your name. In the end, say thank you.

Chapter 4

Think and Tell

Belling the Cat

Once upon a time, many rats lived in a warehouse. A big cat lived nearby. She would go to the warehouse and chase the rats.

All the rats were scared of her. They did not know how to stop the cat. Finally, a young rat said, “We could tie a bell around the cat’s neck! It will ring whenever she comes.”

Everyone thought it was a great idea. Their leader asked, “Who will tie the bell around the cat’s neck?”

The first rat pointed at the second rat. The second pointed at the third. The third pointed at the fourth, and so on.

No rat came forward. So, this clever idea never worked, and the cat went around freely!

chase (chays): run after something or someone scared (skeuhd): filled with fear of something warehouse (wair.house): a building for storing things before they are sold

Speak on the Spot

Boost your speaking!

The Cat and the Rat

Look at the pictures of the cat and the rat. Answer your teacher’s questions about them.

What is the size?

small tiny big huge fat thin

What does it look like?

big tail

gray big ears yellow cute funny scary

long whiskers round eyes big teeth

What does it do?

eats food lives in the warehouse

chases the rats roams around

Help Find Timmy

Your pet cat Timmy is lost! Listen to the message to spread the news. Then record it yourself.

My Dream Pet

Think about your favourite animal. Tell TWO things about it.

Find the Way

Help the mouse hide from the cat.

Plan and Speak

The final show!

My Favourite Thing

Write a few lines about your favourite thing. Then speak about it in the class.

1

Pick any ONE thing from your surroundings that you like the most.

Write: Complete the sentences about the thing you chose. 2

(Title — Name of the item)

(Name of the item)

(Why you chose it)

My favourite thing is because . It .

(What it looks like)

It helps us .

(Uses)

Practise: Tell your parents about your favourite thing. Practise speaking with expression.

Present: Present about your favourite thing to the class.

Speak loudly and clearly.

You can hold the item when you present.

Star Scale

Rate each presentation!

My Experiences

Daisy: Hi Manu, welcome back! Did you enjoy the holidays?

Manu: Thanks! I really enjoyed my holidays. We went to the Railway Museum.

Daisy: Wow! What did you see there?

Manu: There was a train with beautiful sofas and dining tables inside it. People used to eat in it.

Daisy: Imagine if the train started moving! They would spill food everywhere! Ha ha ha!

Manu: Haha! True! And it would be so difficult to clean.

I also saw a 100-year-old red engine.

Daisy : Tell me more about the engine. Did you go inside it?

Manu: Oh yes! I sat on the driver’s seat as well. Being a train driver seems like so much fun!

Daisy: Haha! Yes!

Manu: What about you, Daisy? How were your holidays?

Daisy : We went to Manali. It is a hill station.

Manu: How lovely! What did you do there?

Daisy: We saw a lot of mountains. The place is so beautiful. I also touched a cloud!

Manu: Wow! What did it feel like?

Daisy: I thought it would feel like cotton candy. But it was just cold air.

Manu: Haha! It sounds like both of us had a great time. Now, let’s go to the class and ask our friends what they did.

Speak on the Spot

Boost your speaking!

My Last Vacation

Imagine that your teacher is Daisy and you are Manu. Now, answer the teacher’s questions.

fun sitting in the driver’s seat the Railway Museum

E-Speak

Practise at home!

The Toy Fair

Sia visited a toy fair. Listen to what happened there. Then, record it.

Play Day

Tell us about what you played yesterday. Where did you play it, and who did you play it with?

Spot the Differences

Circle THREE differences between these pictures.

The last time it rained, I wore .

a raincoat boots a hat slippers I .

made paper boats got wet in the rain

jumped in puddles ate hot food

danced in the rain

2

Practise: Read aloud what you wrote in front of an elder. Practise many times and speak with expression.

3

Present: In class, tell your friends about that rainy day.

Speak loudly.

You can read from the book.

Bring a picture of a rainy day if you have one.

Star Scale

Rate each presentation!

Write your friend’s name

Write your friend’s name

Write your friend’s name

Good vs Bad Chapter 6

Speak on the Spot

Boost your speaking!

Advantages and Disadvantages

Think about the advantages OR disadvantages of television. Then, tell everyone in the class.

One good thing about television is that we...

learn new things know about the world watch cartoons

One bad thing about television is that we...

waste electricity

harm our eyes

become unfit

You can add your own answers. Speak loudly.

Practise at home!

Pen or Pencil?

Should Nisha use a pen or a pencil? Listen and record it.

Mobile Phone: Good or Bad?

Tell us ONE good thing and ONE bad thing about a mobile phone.

A tissue paper can be used many times.

A cycle runs faster than a car.

A lift helps us reach any floor quickly.

An AC can keep the room cool.

exercise go outside meet friends get injured

get late for home

Scene 1: My sister likes to play outdoor games.

The good thing is we can .

The bad thing is we can .

play with boats not play outside enjoy hot snacks

Scene 2: It is a rainy day today.

The good thing is we can .

The bad thing is we can .

reach faraway places save money get stuck in traffic get late

Scene 3: We will go for a bus ride tomorrow.

The good thing is we can .

The bad thing is we can .

Practise: Read aloud the sentences in front of an elder. Practise many times.

Present: It’s showtime! Share your thoughts about any ONE scene with your friends.

Show a thumbs up when talking about good things. Show a thumbs down when talking about bad things. Speak loudly.

You may read from the book.

Where Is the Wallet?

Anusha and Atul left the supermarket. They had bought a gift for their mother’s birthday. Suddenly, Anusha stopped. She could not find her wallet.

“You had it when you paid for the gift, right?” Atul asked his elder sister.

“No, I paid with my phone,” said Anusha. “But I remember I had it in my hand. We must go back and find it.”

The two of them ran back to the supermarket. “Ma’am, I cannot find my wallet. Did you see it here?” they asked at the payment counter.

“I am sorry, but no. Maybe you can ask the security guard.”

“Excuse me, sir. Do you have a lost and found box? I am looking for my wallet.”

“Yes, I do! And there is a wallet inside it. Can you describe your lost wallet?” asked the security guard.

“Yes,” replied Anusha. “It is small and blue in colour with a yellow flower on it.”

“Sorry, ma’am, the one I have is a brown wallet.”

Anusha was really upset. Then, she heard a voice, “Excuse me, ma’am! Is this yours?”

Anusha and Atul turned around. It was the man who had helped them choose the gift. “I found this lying over there. I was just bringing it to the security guard.”

Anusha jumped for joy. “Yes! This is my wallet. Oh! I am so glad. Thank you so much, sir!”

glad (glad): happy lost and found (lawst and found): a place where items that have been found are kept

payment counter (pay·muhnt kown·tuh): a place in a shop where one pays for things

wallet (waw·lit): a small case for carrying money and cards

Speak on the Spot

Boost your speaking!

Back at Home

Imagine you are Anusha and your teacher is the mother. Complete the conversation between Anusha and her mother.

lying on the floor bought a birthday gift 52

went to the supermarket found it back man who works there

Mother: Where did you go?

Anusha: Atul and I...

Mother: That’s lovely! What did you buy?

Anusha: We... for you. But I lost my wallet.

Mother: Oh no! Did you find it back?

Anusha: Yes! We...

Mother: Wonderful!

Speak loudly. Read from the book if needed.

Practise at home!

Place an Order

You went to buy an ice cream. How would you ask for the ice cream? Listen and record.

Haircut Day

You have to go to the barber for a haircut. What will you say to the barber?

At the Zoo

Read the list. Circle these animals in the picture.

crocodile

elephant giraffe

camel

lion monkey

Plan and Speak

The final show! 1

At the Store

Complete the conversation between you and the shopkeeper. Practise it and present in the classroom.

Write: You went to a store to buy something. Complete the conversation with the shopkeeper. .

I want to buy .

Yes. Where can I find ? Thank you so much.

Practise: Say the dialogue at home with an elder.

Present: Now, say the dialogue with your teacher in the classroom.

Speak politely.

Wait for your turn to speak.

Look at the teacher while speaking.

Star Scale

Rate each presentation!

Write your friend’s name

Write your friend’s name

Write your friend’s name

My Likes and Dislikes

lively (live·lee): bright, full of energy

messy (mes·ee): untidy or dirty

proud (prawd): feeling good about something you did spoiled (spoyld): something good changed to something bad

Speak on the Spot

Boost your speaking!

What’s Your Hobby?

Kabir loves to draw. Now, tick (ü) your favourite hobby. Say THREE sentences about it.

dancing singing

playing games

reading

gardening drawing

watching TV writing

My hobby is .

It makes me feel very . happy relaxed fresh active cheerful

I do it with my . classmates friends sister teacher family brother neighbours parents

Meet Roma

My Favourite Food

Which food do you like? Tell Hema ma’am about it.

Project

15 Project

Likes and Dislikes

Tick (ü) your likes and cross (×) your dislikes.

running eating sweets cleaning my room

doing homework listening to music walking

petting animals playing sports watching television

Plan and Speak

The final show!

My Favourite Season

Choose your favourite season. Write a few sentences about it. Then, share it with your friends.

1

Tick (ü) your favourite season. Cross (×) the season you do not like.

summer rainy winter

2

Write: Write about your favourite season.

Hi!

My favourite season is .

I like to wear in this season.

sweaters

mufflers

shorts

T-shirts

gloves

slippers

jackets

cotton clothes

hats

caps

boots

raincoat

I like to eat in this season.

Thank you.

Practise: Say these lines aloud in front of your family members. Practise many times.

Present: Talk about your favourite season in the classroom.

Point to the picture of the season when you speak. Speak with expression. Look at your friends when you speak.

Star Scale

Rate each presentation!

It’s Rhyme Time!

Win Some, Lose a Few

Riddhi and Siddhi are best buddies. They are poles apart —

While Siddhi loves cricket, Riddhi loves art! With Riddhi there to cheer, Siddhi has no fear.

Siddhi hits fours and sixes like Kohli, And she’s confident, just like Dhoni!

Today Siddhi lost the match!

And in anger, when she tossed her bat, Riddhi scolded her just for that!

Now Siddhi hates Riddhi. She hates cricket too.

She’s decided to play a new game. And make friends brand new!

For a bit, it’s fun, yet it’s not the same. Soon she really misses her bestie, She misses her game!

In tears, she tells her father all, Her father just hands her the bat and the ball!

Siddhi realises her folly. She needs her friend and game to be jolly. You win some, you lose a few. You just need to continue.

buddies (buh·deez): friends

cheer (cheeuh): support someone

folly (faw·lee): a silly mistake

jolly (jaw·lee): happy

tossed (tawst): threw

Speak on the Spot

Boost your speaking!

Sing Along

Choose any ONE of the following sentences. Add a rhyming sentence after it. Share the rhyme with the class!

Look at that cat!

Do you want to cook?

book

hook

The sky is blue.

you

do

I love my school.

look cool shoe

Practise at home!

My Funny Friend

Talk to your funny friend using rhyming lines.

Add a rhyming line. “This is a cat...”

Match the Following

Match the names of the sports with the correct pictures. football table

skipping

Plan and Speak

The final show!

Welcome to a Weird World

Complete the funny poem. Sing it in the class.

1

Look at the picture. Read the poem.

Welcome to a weird world, Where ants go to school! It’s so strange, And it’s so cool!

2

Ants go to school!

Now, look at two more pictures. Tick (ü) any ONE of these pictures to make a short poem.

Where cats rock and roll! Where houses are upside down!

First, tell about the picture you chose. Use actions while singing the poem.

Sing in tune and with expression.

About this book

The 'Conversations' book follows a unique spiralling approach that systematically builds language skills and enables children to express themselves verbally in real-world situations, thus preparing them for the needs of the 21st century world. Each chapter focuses on building specific and age-appropriate English language competencies by weaving together activities that are contextual, experiential, joyful, and research-based.

Special features of this book

• Activity-based Learning: The book offers joyful and experiential activities that build English communication competencies.

• Texts as per NEP 2020 themes: The book has exciting and stimulating texts that pave the way for English communication activities.

• Tech Integration: The book works in sync with the digital world, where various other activities and projects are undertaken. Learner outputs are evaluated through an AI-based speech recognition engine.

• Assessment of Speaking & Listening as per CEFR: The program includes special assessment that allows systematic reporting on growth of English language skills as per the CEFR.

• Teachers’ Manual: The book is complemented by the Teachers’ Manual that enables teachers to conduct each session effectively.

About Uolo

Uolo partners with K-12 schools to provide technology-based learning programs. We believe pedagogy and technology must come together to deliver scalable learning experiences that generate measurable outcomes. Uolo is trusted by over 8,000 schools with more than 3 million learners across India, South East Asia, and the Middle East.