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S1/S2 Mathematics

Maths Classes in S1

S1 Mathematics classes are organised to help you build on the knowledge and skills you have learnt in Primary School. You will come to Maths for 4 periods each week, one of which is a mental numeracy period and the following aspects of Maths will be covered :

Number, Money & Measurement
Shape, Position & Movement
Information Handling
Problem Solving
Algebra

The course is divided into 6 blocks of work. The first block covers the topics Whole Numbers & Decimals, Angles and Algebra. The main textbook used is “Teejay” but many other resources are used for challenging and exciting mathematical activities. For example, the Whole Numbers and Decimals topic focuses on games and activities on the graphics calculator, brainstormers, puzzles and challenges.

Maths Classes in S2

In S2 you will be working towards your National Assessment, but you will also do some topics from the Standard Grade course.

You are encouraged to bring your own calculator to Maths. In S2, if you are doing topics from the General or Credit courses you will need your own scientific calculator. You can buy scientific and graphics calculators from the Mathematics department.

Assessment

The main types of assessment are:

Block Tests - at the end of each block of work, you will be tested on the work you have done in that block

National Assessments – in S2 you will do the National Assessment at the appropriate level

Homework

You will be given some Maths homework every week

• Topic Homework : At the end of each topic you will be given a homework sheet to do. This gives you the chance to practice your Maths at home and to get any difficulties sorted out.

• Problems : Your teacher might set you a Brainstormer or challenge to try at home. Some classes will be given the UK Maths Challenge to do at home.

• Practice : You might have to finish off some work at home, if you have not managed to do it in class. You might want some extra work to do and your teacher will arrange this for you.

• Revision : It is very important that you revise for block tests at home. There are revision sections in your textbook to try.

If you are having problems with classwork, homework or revision you should always ask your teacher for help.

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Standard Grade Mathematics

The Courses

You will start third year in either of three Maths courses, namely :-

The course that you start depends on the progress you made in S2.

You will start in a class, which will help you to build on the work you have done in second year. You will learn more about many aspects of Maths, including Algebra, Statistics, Graphs, Money, Shape, Number Patterns and Formulae.

Each Standard Grade course uses a "Maths In Action" textbook and is divided into blocks of work, similar to the S2 courses. There is a homework sheet for each topic and an assessment at the end of each block. You will keep track of your progress by completing a Pupil Record Sheet, which will have a space for your homework and test results, and for comments from yourself, your teacher and your parents. This will be up-dated at the end of each block.

Coursework Tasks and Problem Solving are integrated into all courses. Calculators are used regularly, particularly in the Credit course.

You will be encouraged to bring your own calculator to Maths -  if necessary, you can buy a calculator from your Maths teacher

Homework

The most common types of Maths homework are

• Homework sheets on the topic you are doing in class. You are normally given one week to complete this homework.
• Homework from your textbook.
• Revision for a test or exam.
• Challenging problems

You are likely to get some Maths homework to do every week. Remember there are “Help Sessions” every week at lunchtimes and after school if you are having difficulties with your homework or class work.

Assessment

You will be tested on the work you have been doing in class at the end of each block (or, in the Foundation/Access course, at the end of each topic). This will enable you and your teacher and parents to see how you are progressing. You will also be tested on your problem solving and non-calculator skills. This will help you prepare for your S3 exams and the final Standard Grade exam at the end of S4.

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Intermediate 1 Mathematics

Entry Requirements

Standard Grade 5 or 6

Course Content

Unit 1:

Perform basic calculations; use basic geometric properties; evaluate expressions
and formulae; perform calculations in everyday contexts.

Unit 2:

Use integers; use speed, distance and time; the theorem of Pythagoras; simple
graphs, charts and tables; simple statistics.

Unit 3:

Algebra; graphs; right-angled trigonometry; standard form.

Intermediate 1 will build upon and extend your knowledge and introduce you to new areas such as algebra, statistics and trigonometry.

Achievement of a grade A award at Intermediate 1 is equivalent to achieving a grade 3 at Standard Grade whilst a grade C award is equivalent to a grade 4.

The Intermediate 1 course uses a "Maths In Action" textbook and supplementary worksheets.

Assessment

This course consists of the following assessments:

• end of topic tests at minimum competency ( ie. below grade C level) which are given as practice for the Unit Assessment
• unit assessments which are at minimum competency. You must pass all three unit tests in order to achieve an overall course award.
• unit assessments which cover work at grades A, B and C. These tests give you experience of exam type questions and are used to estimate your final grade.
• a prelim exam based on the same format as the final exam. The result of your prelim will be used to estimate your final grade and can be used to appeal for your final award, if necessary.
• the final exam consists of 2 papers - paper 1 is a non-calculator paper.

Homework

The most common types of homework are:

• assignment sheets for each topic which cover work at all levels of difficulty
• questions from your textbook
• revision for assessments

You are likely to have maths homework to do every week. It is very important that you stick to deadlines for class work and homework - remember there are help sessions every week in the department during lunchtimes and after school.

Further information can be obtained from any teacher in the Maths department.

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Intermediate 2 Mathematics

Entry Requirements

Standard Grade 3 or 4 OR Intermediate 1 Grade A

Units 1 ,2,3

This course allows you to progress to Higher Mathematics the following year.

Units 1,2, Applications

(This course does not allow you to progress to Higher Mathematics the following year.)

Course Content

Unit 1:

Percentages; volume; the straight line; algebra; the circle.

Unit 2:

Trigonometry; simultaneous equations; graphs, charts and tables; statistics.

Unit 3:

Algebra; quadratics; further trigonometry

OR

Applications Unit:

Calculations; Logic Diagrams; Formulae and a Statistics Assignment

Intermediate 2 will build upon and extend your knowledge and introduce you to new areas such as algebra, statistics and trigonometry.

Achievement of a grade A award at Intermediate 2 is equivalent to achieving a grade 1 at Standard Grade whilst a grade C award is equivalent to a grade 2.

The Intermediate 2 course uses a "Maths In Action" textbook and supplementary worksheets.

Assessment

This course consists of the following assessments:

• end of topic tests at minimum competency ( ie. below grade C level) which are given as practice for the Unit Assessment
• unit assessments which are at minimum competency. You must pass all three unit tests in order to achieve an overall course award.
• unit assessments which cover work at grades A, B and C. These tests give you experience of exam type questions and are used to estimate your final grade.
• a prelim exam based on the same format as the final exam. The result of your prelim will be used to estimate your final grade and can be used to appeal for your final award, if necessary.
• the final exam consists of 2 papers - paper 1 is a non-calculator paper.

Homework

The most common types of homework are:

• assignment sheets for each topic which cover work at all levels of difficulty
• questions from your textbook
• revision for assessments

You are likely to have maths homework to do every week. It is very important that you stick to deadlines for class work and homework - remember there are help sessions every week in the department during lunchtimes and after school.

Further information can be obtained from any teacher in the Maths department.

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Higher (in 2 years) Mathematics

Entry Requirements

Standard Grade 2

This course is suitable for those pupils who have achieved a grade 2 from a Credit course in S4 but would like to develop their skills and confidence further before starting the Higher course.

Course Content

Revision of Credit Skills:

Algebra ; straight line; simultaneous equations.

Intermediate 2 Units 1,2,3

          Course content as above

In sixth year you work through the following units :

Higher Unit 1:

Straight line; functions and graphs; basic differentiation; recurrence relations

Higher Unit 2:

Polynomials; quadratic theory; integration; trigonometry; the circle

Higher Unit 3:

Vectors; further differentiation and integration; logarithms and the exponential function; further trigonometry.

Revision Unit:

Revision of the Higher course in preparation for the final exam.

Each unit at Higher aims to build upon and extend your knowledge and skills in the areas of algebra, geometry and trigonometry. It also introduces you to calculus (ie differentiation and integration).

You will use a "Heinemann Higher" textbook and supplementary worksheets . For the Higher units you will also be issued with a revision book, "Preparation for Assessment" which you will use in class and at home to study for your regular assessments.

Assessment

This course consists of the following assessments:

• end of topic tests at minimum competency ( ie. below grade C level) which are given as practice for the Unit Assessment
• unit assessments which are at minimum competency. You must pass the Higher unit tests in order to achieve an overall course award.
• unit assessments which cover work at grades A, B and C. These tests give you experience of exam type questions and are used to estimate your final grade.
• prelim exams (Intermediate 2 in S5 followed by Higher in S6) based on the same format as the final exam. The result of your prelim will be used to estimate your final grade and can be used to appeal for your final award, if necessary.
• the final exam consists of 2 papers - paper 1 is a non-calculator paper.

Homework

The most common types of homework are:

• assignment sheets for each topic which cover work at all levels of difficulty
• questions from your textbook
• revision for assessments

You are likely to have maths homework to do every week. It is very important that you stick to deadlines for class work and homework - remember there are help sessions every week in the department during lunchtimes and after school.

Further information can be obtained from any teacher in the Maths department

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Higher (in 1 year) Mathematics

Entry Requirements

Standard Grade 1 or 2

Course Content

Unit 1:

Straight line; functions and graphs; basic differentiation; recurrence relations

Unit 2:

Polynomials; quadratic theory; integration; trigonometry; the circle

Unit 3:

Vectors; further differentiation and integration; logarithms and the exponential function; further trigonometry.

Each unit at Higher aims to build upon and extend your knowledge and skills in the areas of algebra, geometry and trigonometry. It also introduces you to calculus (ie. differentiation and integration).

The Higher course uses two "Maths In Action" textbooks and supplementary worksheets when necessary. You will be issued with the main textbook for your class work and a revision book, "Preparation for Assessment". You will continue to use graphic calculators throughout the Higher course.

Assessment

This course consists of the following assessments:

• end of topic tests at minimum competency ( ie. below grade C level) which are given as practice for the Unit Assessment
• unit assessments which are at minimum competency. You must pass all three unit tests in order to achieve an overall course award.
• unit assessments which cover work at grades A, B and C. These tests give you experience of exam type questions and are used to estimate your final grade.
• a prelim exam based on the same format as the final exam. The result of your prelim will be used to estimate your final grade and can be used to appeal for your final award, if necessary.
• the final exam consists of 2 papers - paper 1 is a non-calculator paper.

Homework

The most common types of homework are:

• assignment sheets for each topic which cover work at all levels of difficulty
• questions from your textbook
• revision for assessments

You are likely to have maths homework to do every week. It is very important that you stick to deadlines for class work and homework - remember there are help sessions every week in the department during lunchtimes and after school.

Further information can be obtained from any teacher in the Maths department

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Advanced Higher Mathematics

This is an exciting and sometimes challenging extension of Higher Maths.

As this is the year or course before University, independent learning and self-motivation will be encouraged and developed where appropriate to the student's needs.

The historical and cultural aspects of mathematics will also be considered.

Entry Level

A or B at Higher

Course Content

The course consists of 3 units:

Unit 1:

Binomial Theorem, Calculus, Properties of Functions and Systems of Equations

Unit 2:

Differentiation and Integration, Complex Numbers, Sequences and Number Theory

Unit 3:

Vectors, Matrix Algebra, Series, Differential Equations and Methods of Proof

Assessment

For each unit there is a test at C level, which must be passed.
All topics have short tests at C and A/B levels.
The final exam consists of one paper lasting three hours. The use of a graphic calculator is encouraged.

Resources

The resources are “Maths in Action Advanced Higher” books 1, 2, and 3 and a set of notes from T J Publishers.

There is also available the on-line course developed by Heriot -Watt University (The Scholar Project). This is an innovative and complete course using the Internet. The student may use this where and when she or he chooses. This course is also backed up by a set of textbooks.
There are also some copies of additional books, which may be used as required.

This is an excellent course and obviously demands some degree of commitment from the student.

Further information can be obtained from Mr Howieson

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Links and more

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