S3 BGE Maths
Why do this course?
This course is an entitlement in Scottish Education and therefore, compulsory for S3 pupils. The course will provide pupils with the opportunity to build on their mathematical knowledge and to develop their reasoning and problem-solving skills, including literacy skills required to interpret questions and communicate solutions. Through the work with Money pupils are developing the ability to be financially astute.
What will you experience?
A wide range of teaching strategies are used with classes, such as direct teaching, individual, paired and group work, mathematical games and practical tasks.
Pupils will be encouraged to set their own next steps, for example through profile sheets, and are expected to take on an early responsibility for their learning.
What will you learn?
The aim of this course is to provide pupils with a range of numerical and mathematical skills, encompassing the Curriculum for Excellence Mathematics and Numeracy experiences and outcomes. Key areas of study are:
Numeracy: Estimation and rounding, non-calculator and calculator number work, percentages, decimals and fractions.
Geometry and Measurement: Linear relationships, Trigonometry, Pythagoras’ theorem, properties of shape, area and perimeter.
Information Handling: Collecting, presenting and interpreting data, averages and probability.
Algebra: Work with equations, expressions and formulae.
Money: Personal finance, salaries and money management
Key Facts
Everything you need to know before selecting this course
Strongly recommended that pupils have their own Scientific Calculator. See staff for brand/model recommendations.
Homework
Homework will be set by the class teacher on a regular basis and may involve online or written practice of skills and preparation for assessments.
Assessment
Knowledge and skills will be assessed in different ways, depending on the topic being studied. This will include classroom tests, group work tasks and homework. These assessments will be both Calculator and Non-Calculator.
Pupils will undertake self and peer evaluation of classwork and use assessment to identify their next steps.
Progression and Employment
Everything you need to know about future pathways from this course
Progression
In S4 pupils will follow the National 3, 4 or 5 qualifications. This level will be dependent on the level of work they are doing in S3 and their progress. Pupils working towards a National 5 qualification may be recommended to do National 5 Maths or National 5 Applications of Maths or they may be given the opportunity to do both.
In S5 pupils will be able to follow the National 5 or Higher Mathematics course and well as National 4/5 or Higher Applications of Mathematics. In S6 pupils will also be able to follow the Advanced Higher Mathematics and Advanced Higher Mechanics course
Employment
There is a wide range of career opportunities open to mathematicians from graduates downwards. Areas range from financial work which includes accountancy, actuarial work, banking and insurance to management services including computing, economics and statistics.
Further areas include, scientific and technological research, engineering, architecture, the building trade, civil service, market research, estate agents and sales.
