Subject Choice Junior Cycle 2014/2015

1. Subject ChoiceJunior Cycle 2014/2015 Pat O’Brien Questions and Answers

2. Junior Cycle Timetable • In first year all students are timetabled for all subjects.(19) • No choice required on entering first year. • This allows students to experience all aspects of the curriculum. • Allows an informed decision to be made based on their experiences of subjects. • Moving into Second Year choices must be made as students drop from 19 subjects to 13.(11 Exam and 2 Non-Exam)

3. 2A – 2B – 2C – 2D 3A – 3B – 3C – 3D 2E – 2F – 2G 3E – 3F – 3G Junior Cycle Timetable 1T – 1V – 1W – 1X – 1Y – 1Z Moving from 1st year to 2nd/3rd year - a completely different timetable structure.

4. CORE SUBJECTS English (4) Science (4) Religion (3) History (2) Geography (2) C.S.P.E. (1) S.P.H.E. (1) P.E. (2) ------------------------------------------ MATHEMATICS (5) IRISH (4) OPTIONAL SUBJECTS Art (5) Business (5) French (5) German (5) Home Economics (5) Music (5) Technical Graphics (5) Woodwork (5) ------------------------------------------ 3 of the above optional subjects are chosen Junior Cycle Timetable (43)

5. Choosing Optional Subjects -Factors to be considered • Interest • This is one of the most important factors to be considered. • Students do much better in subjects that they enjoy. • Motivation is significantly increased when students enjoy their subjects. • Ability • Students should be reasonably comfortable with the subjects they are choosing. • If the student is struggling with a particular subject in 1st year then caution should be exercised here. • All subjects are available at Higher and Ordinary level. • Every subject in L.C. has an equal points value.(Maths).

6. Choosing Optional Subjects -Factors not to be considered • Friends • Each students interests, aptitudes and abilities are unique, so students should select subjects which reflect their own individual attributes. • Over the course of their Junior Certificate years and beyond friendship patterns can change. • 24 out of the total weekly class periods (43) will not be in core class groups (different groups). • Teachers • We have no idea at this stage who will be teaching any subject. • Next year there may be new teachers or existing teachers could be gone. • Students should choose their subjects based on the subject itself and not who they think may be teaching it.

7. Important Issues • Languages • It is recommended that students take a modern language as it is a requirement for the majority of courses in the NUI colleges – UCD, NUIM, NUIG, UCC and the RCSI. • However, if languages are a particular problem then it must be questioned as to whether it is wise for a student to take a modern language. • L.C. 2013 – 26.4% did not sit a modern language. • French vs. German • Important to discuss this with language teachers • Which one do they prefer doing homework in? • Influence/assistance of brothers/sisters/parents • Practical use of the language

8. Junior Certificate Leaving Certificate Art Art Business Accounting, Business, Economics French French German German Home Economics Home Economics Music Music Technical Graphics Design/Communication Graphics Woodwork Construction Studies Important Issues Is it necessary to do the subject in the Junior Certificate in order to do it in the Leaving Certificate?

9. Leaving Certificate Subjects • English / Irish / Maths + 4 from 15 • French • German • History • Geography • Physics • Chemistry • Biology • Home Economics • Business • Economics • Accounting • DCG • Construction Studies • Art • Music

10. Critical Junior Cert Subjects • Maths • Irish • French/German • Science(Physics/Chemistry/Biology)

11. Non-Critical Junior Cert Subjects. • Art • Business • Home Economics • Music • Technical Graphics • Woodwork

12. Important Issues • Timetabling • Due to timetabling and staff constraints it may not be possible to accommodate every subject combination. • Core Subjects + 3 optional subjects from below. • 2013/2014 Final Subject Lines Group A/B/C/D HEC - GER - TGR - FRE - WW GER - ART - BUS - FRE MUS - TGR - BUS - WW Group E/F/G FRE - FRE - GER HOM - BUS - TGR ART - BUS - TGR

13. Important Issues Choosing Subjects – Sequence • Students choose 3 subjects from list of 8 subjects. • Examine if chosen 3 subjects fit into subject lines. • If they do  subjects are recorded for student. • If they don’t (small minority)  • Another set of subjects which fit lines must be selected. • Original selection will be held on file and may be accommodated later when classes are being allocated, if possible. This will happen after February 28th.

14. Breakdown 2013/2014 Subject Breakdown (152) • Business 86 • French 82 • Technical Graphics 78 • German 68 • Home Economics 41 • Art 39 • Woodwork 37 • Music 25

15. Timetable of Events 13/14 • November 25th–Presentation to 1st Years. • December 2nd – Subject Choice Interviews begin. • January 7th – Parents Information Evening: 7.45 - 8.45 pm • January 9th – 1st Year Parent-Teacher Meeting: 4.15 - 6.45 pm • February 14th – Deadline for final subject choices.

16. Parent/Teacher Meeting • Theatre - Thursday 4.15 P.M.-6.45P.M. • Approximately 40 teachers sitting in alphabetical order. • N.B. Bring Christmas Report which lists the 19 teachers your child has. • Prioritise who you need to see. • Timing. Parents/guardians split list.

17. What can I do to assist my son / daughter? • Discuss subjects with your child. • Discuss subjects with your child’s teachers at the parent / teacher meeting. • Discuss subjects with other students who are currently doing or have already done these subjects. • It is important that students do not neglect the subjects that they are not continuing on with. • Written confirmation of any changes.