At Patrician Presentation Secondary School, we are very proud of the teaching and learning within our maths department with highly innovative practices being shared. In first year, students engage in a common introductory curriculum in which they are introduced to the guiding principles and problem-solving approach needed at second level mathematics. The students undertake formal tests at Christmas and Summer. In 2nd and 3rd year students afforded the choice to study the subject to junior cert level at either higher or ordinary level. Again, formal tests at Christmas and summer occur (Junior cert exams take place in the summer of 3rd year).
Following on from Junior Cycle, students choose to enrol in transition year or 5th year. Maths in Transition year is very much taught in an explorative way to allow the students freedom for discovery learning and modules such as coding and cryptography are explored as well as the history or mathematics and its mathematicians.
At senior cycle level (5th and 6th year) students undertake the maths exam at higher, ordinary or foundation level). Again, multiple approaches to teaching and learning are used in a way to ensure optimal understanding and enjoyment.
While the maths curriculum at Junior and Senior cycle follows the Department of Education curriculum in the form of written exams and classroom-based assessments, and is very much focused on the Junior and Senior Cycle State Examinations exams, we are also very proud of the innovation and initiatives which exist for our students in the subjects of maths. For example, we are very proud of being the holders of 21 All Ireland Maths Eyes competitions which tasks students to come up with a poster which incorporates mathematics in their everyday world. We also run a hugely successful maths week which includes various maths challenges, most notably Pizza and Puzzles Day, The Escape Room and maths quizzes.
We are very proud to have developed the “Fethard 9 Furlong Maths Trail” which is a maths trail of the town of Fethard that includes thought provoking maths problems scattered around the town of Fethard. billywalsh.info/fethard-maths-trail-1
We also have developed the “Fethard Murder Mystery” by way of cross curricular links between our maths and history department. This is a murder mystery trail which tasks participants to use their problem solving skills to discover who the murderer is. (see below QR code to access fethard murder mystery.
Our philosophy when it comes to maths teaching in the school is to ensure an innovative, fun and engaging class in which all students are encouraged and guided to have an inquisitive mindset and be solution focused in their thinking. Below are some of the teaching practices which underpin our philosophy of teaching maths in the school.
Students receiving their All Ireland Maths Eyes Prize from the Minister of Education Norma Foley.
Some of the practices in a 1st year maths class can be seen below:
