Core Curriculum

English
Teaches the skills and attitudes associated with the strands through the three elements of English - oral, reading and writing.

• Reading - children become self-reliant, confident and independent readers. Students are exposed to a variety of texts and are encouraged to articulate their own personal responses to what they have read.
   
• Oral Language - Emphasis is placed on the development of summarizing skills, discussion and debating skills. Children are given the opportunity to argue their point of view while respecting the opinions of others.
   
• Writing - Students experience many types of writing - narrative, poems, letters, etc. Emphasis is placed on the writing process of drafting, editing and redrafting.

Maths
Emphasis is placed on practical activities and real life applications. In P6 Maths we concentrate on estimation. The use of calculators is permitted to check answers. The five strands are Number, Algebra, Shape and Space, Measures and Data.

S.E.S.E
Social Environmental and Scientific Education covers the three distinctive but closely related subjects of History, Geography and Science. The curriculum enables the pupil to understand

• The physical world in which they live
• The relationship of humans with their environment
• The historical process through which that relationship developed

Science
In P6 pupils study a science programme that encourages them to enjoy Science through hands-on activities. Pupils develop knowledge of basic scientific concepts through practical investigation. The strands are:

• Living things
• Energy and forces
• Materials
• Environmental awareness and care

Scientific skills acquired are:

• Observation
• Prediction
• Planning
• Investigation
• Testing
• Classifying
• Recording

Geography
The Geography curriculum is broad based and varied. Pupils study the earth in physical, social and environmental terms. This helps them develop an understanding of National, European and Global issues. Pupils also develop a sense of place and space using maps, globes and graphical skills. Strands covered are:

• Human Environments
• Natural Environments
• Environmental awareness and care

History
In P6 pupils begin to study a widening range of peoples, events and periods. They begin to understand how the past has helped shape their present world through cause and effect, change and continuity, time and chronology. Pupils learn to work as a historian and develop analytical skills through investigation and evidence. The strands covered are:

• Local studies
• Story
• Early people and ancient societies
• Life, Society, Work, Culture in the past
• Eras of change and conflict
• Politics, conflicts and society
• Continuity and change over time

Irish
The emphasis is on oral Irish with a different theme approximately every month.  The children develop their language through activities, songs, role play and written expression.

Assessment

• There is a standardised assessment for P6 in September (Drumcondra Tests in Spelling, Reading, Comprehension and Maths).
   
• Tests at Christmas and summer in English, Maths, Irish and S.E.S.E.
   
• In May, P6 sit an assessment for Senior School. One element of the procedure is a computerised self administered assessment in the form of challenging and entertaining games. This assesses both cognitive skills and attainment in literacy. The rest of the programme consists of simple tests in English, Irish or a second language.
   
• In class there is a weekly Spelling test.

Additional Subjects
Religion, Music, Drama, PE, Art, Computer, European Language: French, German or Spanish.

European Language Programme
Pupils may choose to study French or Spanish. In order to achieve continuity we recommend that a child remain with the language which he/she chooses initially to study.

EAL - English as another Language
This facility is provided for the benefit of students whose first language is not English. Five classes per week are normally scheduled.

Introduction to Computers
One class is held each week concentrating on developing computer skills. The class takes place in one of the computer laboratories with a specialist primary school Computer Studies teacher.

Library
Each class has Library Class once a week. Books may be borrowed at this class and returned the following week. P6 uses the Senior School library on alternate weeks.

A child can use the library for research purposes by arrangement.