Mathematics Department

Mathematics Department Staff 

Ms.Virginia Shanahan-Desmond     Ms.Heather Shevlin      Ms.Mary O’Hagan     Mr. David Kellett       Mr. Robert Blighe

Grouping of Pupils (Mixed ability & Streaming):

First Years are in mixed ability classes according to their class group.

All other years are streamed into Higher and Ordinary level classes.

Student Access to Subject / Level:

Both classes are mixed ability in First Year and students follow a Common Introductory Course (CIC). At the end of first year students are divided into Higher and Ordinary Level depending on their level of achievement throughout the year and the end of year exam.

Students in consultation with Teachers, Parents/Guardians and the Career Guidance teacher will select the level at which they wish to study mathematics. This will be reassessed at regular intervals by means of reporting, parent-teacher meetings and contact with parents where necessary.

Ideally all students studying Higher Level at Leaving Cert should have taken Higher Level at Junior Cert; however this is not always possible especially where students have come from another school or country.

Variety of Resources/Availability of ICT Resources

There are a variety of mathematical resources available for use in Mathematics classes including

Algebra Tiles, Clinometers, Show Me Boards, Class and board Geometry sets, Probability Kits,   Playing cards, Dice, Folding Geometric Shapes

Each classroom has a data projector with interactivity and there is an Interactive Whiteboard in the Maths Room. This provides access to the Internet and teacher resources.

A variety of Dynamic Geometry is available in the Computer Room including Geometer’s Sketchpad, GeoGebra.

Each teacher has access to Mathematical Resources via the teachers shared folder including:

• Over 600 PowerPoint presentations
• Interactive Posters from Daydream
• Resources created by the Maths dept. members

There are also a growing number of non-text book mathematics books in the library.

Examples include:          The Code Book, Fermat’s Last Theorem

Men of Mathematics, The Number Devil,

Junior Certificate Mathematics

Aims:

Junior Certificate Mathematics aims to:

• Develop the mathematical knowledge, skills and understanding needed for continuing education, for life and for work
• Develop the skills of dealing with mathematical concepts in context and applications, as well as in solving problems
• Support the development of literacy and numeracy skills
• Foster a positive attitude to mathematics in the learner

The Exam

Students at both Higher and Ordinary Level sit two papers in Mathematics.

Higher Level

Paper 1 (2 hours 30 mins)           Number, Algebra, Functions

Paper 2 (2 hours 30 mins)           Probability & Statistics, Geometry & Trigonometry

Ordinary Level

Paper 1 (2 hours)           Number, Algebra, Functions

Paper 2 (2 hours)           Probability & Statistics, Geometry & Trigonometry

Foundation Level is a 2 hour exam

Leaving Certificate Mathematics

Aims:

Leaving Certificate mathematics aims to develop knowledge, skills and understanding needed for continuing education, life and work. By teaching mathematics in contexts that allow learners to see connections within mathematics, between mathematics and other subjects, and between mathematics and its applications to real life, it is envisaged that learners will develop a flexible, disciplined way of thinking and the enthusiasm to search for creative solutions.

The Exam

Students at Higher, Ordinary and Foundation Level sit two papers in Mathematics.

Paper 1 (2 hours 30 mins)           Number, Algebra, Functions

Paper 2 (2 hours 30 mins)           Probability & Statistics, Geometry & Trigonometry

Project Maths

General Introduction

Introduced in 2008 into 24 Pilot Schools across the country.

Rolled out nationally in September 2010 to 1^st and 5^th year. (Introduced 2 strands at a time)

• 1^st full Leaving Certificate Exam in 2014
• 1^st full Junior Certificate Exam in 2015

5 Strands

Within each strand the Ordinary Level Syllabus is a subset of the Higher Level Syllabus

It is recommended that:

• the Leaving Certificate course is 180 hours of study
• the Junior Certificate is 240 hours of study

What is different?

• Problem-Solving is a large part of course
• Different emphasis in teaching and learning
• Exam is not predictable
• Answers are to be written on the exam paper at every level
• Encourage more students to take Higher Level
• 25 CAO points for any passing grade at Honours Leaving Cert

Since September 2009 every teacher of Mathematics in the country has been offered the opportunity to attend 2 workshops per academic year during school time. Supervision has been provided. Drogheda Grammar School has been totally supportive of the Mathematics Dept. in facilitating all members to attend all workshops.

Modular courses have also been provided at night each year.

Mathematics in Transition Year

Mathematics in Transition year is not part of the Leaving Cert course but will enable the student to bridge any gaps which may exist from the Junior Cycle and ensure they have a thorough knowledge of the basic requirements for the Leaving Cert course.

In transition year students can expect to undertake study in the following areas:

• Trigonometry & Geometry
• Statistics & Probability
• Algebra

They will however take a different approach to that normally taken in exam classes.

Homework is assigned on a regular basis with an exam at the end of each module.

Students are expected to complete various projects throughout the year e.g.

• Study a famous Mathematician
• Write a questionnaire and complete a survey
• Outdoor Trigonometry Assignment

Participation in the John Hooper Medal for Statistics Poster Competition is compulsory in Transition Year.

The emphasis in class is on Group Work, Use of relevant software for Geometry, Hands-on-Maths and realizing the importance of mathematics in all aspects of our lives.

Extra-Curricular and Co-Curricular Activities

The Mathematics Department endeavors to foster an enjoyment of Mathematics in all of our students.

Students of Mathematics are involved in as many activities related to Mathematics as possible.

Some of the competitions in which they partake include:

• The IMTA Junior Mathematics Competition (1^st years)
• Maths Olympiad
• PRISM competition
• STEM monthly competition

Maths Week in October each year is celebrated in a variety of ways:

• Family Quiz for all the family to get involved
• Scavenger Hunt within the School
• Puzzles and Games in class

Some ideas for the future

• Participation in competition for 3^rd years in the spring
• Workshop for Junior Cycle Students with Project-Maths activity centre
• Maths Circles
• Khan Club

New Junior Cycle Mathematics

Mathematics is one of the last subjects to be phased into the new Junior Cycle.

It will be introduced to First year Students in 2018 – 2019.

The first examination will be in June 2021.