Subject Choice Junior Cycle

Junior Cycle In first year all students are timetabled for 17 subjects (12 Examination + 5 Non Examination) This allows students to experience many 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 12 to 10 examinable subjects

2 Subjects that become optional in second year Music & Art become optional subjects

Junior Cert Core Subjects Maths English Irish History Geography Science CSPE (Non exam subject)

ISK Junior Cycle Timetable CORE SUBJECTS English Irish Maths Science History Geography C.S.P.E. ( Non – exam) Religion (Non-exam) S.P.H.E. (Non-exam) P.E. (Non –exam) Wellness (Non-exam) Computers (Non-exam) OPTIONAL SUBJECTS Business French (3rd Language needed for some courses in NUI) German Spanish Home Economics Art Music Technical Graphics Woodwork

Subject Links Between JC & LC Important Issues Subject Links Between JC & LC Junior Certificate Leaving Certificate Art Art Business Accounting, Business, Economics French French German German Spanish Spanish Home Economics Home Economics Music Music Technical Graphics Design/Communication Graphics Woodwork Construction Studies

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. What if my child is doing tow languages and wants to drop one: French vs. German vs. Spanish 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

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 & LCVP exception).

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. Teachers We do not know at this stage who will be teaching any subject. Students should choose their subjects based on the subject itself and not who they think may be teaching it.

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.

Can My Son/Daughter take up a new subject in Second Year Different Language-Not Recommended Tech Graph – Each case will be looked at individually Wood Tech – Each case will be looked at individually Business –Each case will be looked at individually Home Economics- No

Useful Website Subject Information

When do I have to decide? Many students have a good idea already Subject forms will be collected next week.

Junior Cycle Subjects The current 1st year students are sitting a revised specification in the following subjects: English, Irish, Science, Business, Modern Foreign Languages (French, German and Spanish) and Visual Art. CSPE ( No exam from 2019) 

Junior Cycle Assessment and Reporting Each of the subjects in the revised Junior Cycle will be assessed on an on-going basis. This will involve the students undertaking 2 Classroom Based Assessments (CBAs) in each subject. One CBA will be completed in 2nd Year and another in 3rd Year

Subjects The current 1st year students are sitting a revised specification in the following subjects: English, Irish, Science, Business, Modern Foreign Languages (French, German and Spanish) and Visual Art. Civic, Social and Political Education (CSPE) will no longer be an examination subject for students from 2019.   Assessment and Reporting Each of the subjects in the revised Junior Cycle will be assessed on an on-going basis. This will involve the students undertaking 2 Classroom Based Assessments (CBAs) in each subject. One CBA will be completed in 2nd Year and another in 3rd Year. In the final term of 3rd Year, students will sit an Assessment Task (AT), which will account for 10% of their final grade in that subject. The final examination in June of 3rd Year is worth 90% of the final mark in that subject. Junior Cycle In the final term of 3rd Year, students will sit an Assessment Task (AT), which will account for 10% of their final grade in that subject. The final examination in June of 3rd Year is worth 90% of the final mark in that subject.

Subjects The current 1st year students are sitting a revised specification in the following subjects: English, Irish, Science, Business, Modern Foreign Languages (French, German and Spanish) and Visual Art. Civic, Social and Political Education (CSPE) will no longer be an examination subject for students from 2019.   Assessment and Reporting Each of the subjects in the revised Junior Cycle will be assessed on an on-going basis. This will involve the students undertaking 2 Classroom Based Assessments (CBAs) in each subject. One CBA will be completed in 2nd Year and another in 3rd Year. In the final term of 3rd Year, students will sit an Assessment Task (AT), which will account for 10% of their final grade in that subject. The final examination in June of 3rd Year is worth 90% of the final mark in that subject. Junior Cycle Revised subjects will no longer be graded using the traditional A, B, C grades and instead, subjects will be marked as follows: 90 – 100% Distinction 75 – 89% Higher Merit 55 – 74% Merit 40 – 54% Achieved 20 – 39% Partially Achieved 0 – 19% Not Graded

Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement A new reporting structure at Junior Cycle will contribute to the personal and educational development of students. This new reporting will support and underpin ongoing learning and assessment.

JCPA The traditional Junior Certificate will be replaced by a Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA). This will record a student’s achievements in Classroom Based Assessments, State Examinations and Other Areas of Learning.

Other Areas of Learning Other Areas of Learning refer to social, cultural, pastoral, scientific, entrepreneurial and other learning experiences which students may undertake during their junior cycle.  

Wellness Wellness - core aspect of the new Junior Cycle Includes PE, CSPE, SPHE as well as a dedicated Wellness class Supported by many co-curricular and extra curricular activities incl: Anti Bullying Month, School Fun Run, Health Promoting School Initiative, Green Schools etc.