Subject Choice
Junior Cycle 2014/2015
1.
2.
Pat O’Brien
Questions and Answers
Junior Cycle Timetable
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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
1T – 1V – 1W – 1X – 1Y – 1Z
2A – 2B – 2C – 2D
2E – 2F – 2G
3A – 3B – 3C – 3D
3E – 3F – 3G
Moving from 1st year to 2nd/3rd year - a completely different timetable
structure.
Junior Cycle Timetable (43)
CORE SUBJECTS
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English
(4)
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Science
(4)
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Religion
(3)
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History
(2)
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Geography
(2)
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C.S.P.E.
(1)
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S.P.H.E.
(1)
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P.E.
(2)
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MATHEMATICS
(5)
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IRISH
(4)
OPTIONAL SUBJECTS
 Art
(5)
 Business
(5)
 French
(5)
 German
(5)
 Home Economics
(5)
 Music
(5)
 Technical Graphics (5)
 Woodwork
(5)
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3 of the above optional
subjects are chosen
Choosing Optional Subjects Factors to be considered
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Interest
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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
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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).
Choosing Optional Subjects Factors not to be considered
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Friends
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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
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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
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Languages
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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
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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
Is it necessary to do the subject in the Junior Certificate in order
to do it in the Leaving Certificate?
Junior Certificate
Leaving Certificate
Art
Business
French
German
Home Economics
Music
Technical Graphics
Woodwork
Art
Accounting, Business, Economics
French
German
Home Economics
Music
Design/Communication Graphics
Construction Studies
Leaving Certificate Subjects
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English / Irish / Maths + 4 from 15
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French
German
History
Geography
Physics
Chemistry
Biology
Home Economics
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Business
Economics
Accounting
DCG
Construction Studies
Art
Music
Critical Junior Cert Subjects
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Maths
Irish
French/German
Science(Physics/Chemistry/Biology)
Non-Critical Junior Cert
Subjects.
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Art
Business
Home Economics
Music
Technical Graphics
Woodwork
Important Issues
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Timetabling
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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
Important Issues
Choosing Subjects – Sequence
1.
2.
3.
4.
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) 
1.
2.
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.
Breakdown 2013/2014
Subject Breakdown
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Business
French
Technical Graphics
German
Home Economics
Art
Woodwork
Music
(152)
86
82
78
68
41
39
37
25
Timetable of Events 13/14
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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.
Parent/Teacher Meeting
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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.
What can I do to assist my
son / daughter?
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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.