Subject Choice Junior Cycle 2015/ Pat O’Brien 2. Questions and Answers

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)

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

Junior Cycle Timetable (43) 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) of the above optional subjects are chosen

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 1 st 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).

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.

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. TCD,DCU,DIT and UL.  L.C – 26.4% did not sit a modern language.  L.C – 25.5% 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

Important Issues Junior Certificate Leaving CertificateArt BusinessAccounting, Business, EconomicsFrenchGermanHome EconomicsMusic Technical GraphicsDesign/Communication Graphics WoodworkConstruction Studies Is it necessary to do the subject in the Junior Certificate in order to do it in the Leaving Certificate?

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

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

Less-Critical Junior Cert Subjects. Art Business Home Economics Music Technical Graphics Woodwork

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. 2014/2015 Final Subject Lines Group A/B/C/D HEC - GER - TGR - FRE - WW GER - ART - BUS - FRE -ART MUS - TGR - BUS - WW Group E/F/G FRE - FRE - GER HOM - BUS - TGR ART - BUS - TGR

Important Issues Choosing Subjects – Sequence 1. Students choose 3 subjects from list of 8 subjects. 2. Examine if chosen 3 subjects fit into subject lines. 3. If they do  subjects are recorded for student. 4. If they don’t (small minority)  1. Another set of subjects which fit lines must be selected. 2. Original selection will be held on file and may be accommodated later when classes are being allocated, if possible. This will happen after February 13 th.

Breakdown 2014/2015 Subject Breakdown (155) Business93=60% Technical Graphics78=50% French77=50% German71=46% Art 53=34% Woodwork39=25% Home Economics37=24% Music 17=11%

Timetable of Events 14/15 1. December 1 st – Presentation to 1 st Years. 2. January 6 th – Parents Information Evening: pm. 3. January 8 th – 1 st Year Parent-Teacher Meeting: pm. 4. January 12 th – Subject Choice Interviews begin. 5. February 13 th – Deadline for final subject choices.

Parent/Teacher Meeting Theatre - Thursday 4.15 P.M P.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 the list.

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.

“Children Nowadays” Children nowadays love luxury, have bad manners, contempt for authority, disrespect for elders, contradict their parents, chatter in front of company, gobble up their food, cross their legs and tyrannise their teachers. Socrates B.C.