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S3 Course Overview
S3 Course Overview
S3 is a vital year to ensure students are on the correct maths pathway in S4. The course plan has been designed to keep options in S4 to S6 open while providing appropriate level of challenge for all. More information about the different course choices are below.
It is important to find a balance with the course structure, meeting the students where they are at while building on successes in S1 and S2. Students will work individually or in groups to solve problems.
· Enjoy coming to maths lessons.
· Develop skills in both numeracy and mathematics that will aid their future lives.
· Be able to challenge their understanding of what they know and love learning new ideas.
· Work collaboratively with their classmates to problem solve and present their ideas to others.
· Develop creativity in mathematics with a variety of different learning and assessment opportunities.
August to January topics S3
August to January topics S3
August to January gives an opportunity to expose students to new concepts and allows them to make an informed decision about the level of study in S4.
Students in 3X1, 3Y1 and 3X2
Students in 3X1, 3Y1 and 3X2
Trigonometry
Students explore the sine, cosine and tangent ratios for the first time.
Scatter Graphs
Students build on their understanding from S2 of plotting scatter graphs, drawing lines of best fit and then calculating equations of these lines
Algebra
Students manipulate and solve different expressions and equations.
Straight line graphs
Students explore finding gradients and equations of straight lines.
Statistics
Students are exposed to new types of statistics including standard deviation and quartiles.
Patterns
Students are expressing patterns in algebraic form.
Angles
Students deepen their understanding of angle facts from S1 and S2.
Perimeter/Area
Students are introduced to Pythagoras Theorem as well as using the circle formulae to find areas and perimeters in complex shapes.
Volume
Students are exposed to new volumes including cones, pyramids and spheres.
Students in 3X3 and 3Y2
Students in 3X3 and 3Y2
Non Calculator Numeracy
Students are looking to improve their core numeracy skills such as multiply and dividing decimals and rounding to decimals and significant figures.
Negative Numbers
Students are improving their understanding of adding/subtracting/multiplying/dividing negative numbers.
Percentages
Students are working with and without calculator to calculate percentage change, increases and decreases and using percentages to compare fractional amounts.
Budgeting
Students explore how to apply a budget to real life situations.
Best Value
Students can explain which offers are better, offers can involve sale amounts and BOGOF offers.
Statistics
Students are using averages to explain findings as well as recording and presenting data accurately.
Income and Expenditure
Students are working with wages and salaries to find gross and net pay as well as understanding VAT, bonus, commission, deductions and overtime.
Time
Students are interpreting timetables as well as calculating time intervals.
Area/Perimeter
Students build on their understanding from S1 and S2 of area and perimeter.
Volume
Students build on their understanding from S1 and S2 of volume.
Direction and Scale
Students are able to use a compass to describe direction as well as using maps to find real life distances.
January to the start of S4
January to the start of S4
Students in aiming for National 5
Students in aiming for National 5
Percentages
Compound Percentages
Reverse Percentages
Fractions
Numeric Fractions
Algebraic Fractions for those going on to N5 Maths
Ratio
Foreign Currency
Problems involving multiple changes of currency as well as percentage commission.
Probability
Students look at expected frequency as well as probability from multiple events.
Graphs
Problems involving different types of graphs and charts.
Students in aiming for National 3/4
Students in aiming for National 3/4
Numeracy Recap
Student begin by recapping ideas from the start of the year with negatives and percentages.
Speed
Students develop a greater understanding of calculating speed, distances and time.
Ratio and Proportion
Students explore how to split ratios and use proportion both direct and inverse.
Probability
Students investigate the single and multiple event probability.
Finance
Students look at Hire Purchase as well as other forms of purchasing techniques.
Charts
Students draw and analyse different types of charts and graphs.
Pathways in S4
Pathways in S4
An important decision to get right in S3 is the decision between Maths and Maths Applications in S4. Teachers will use their knowledge and expertise to pick a course that will allow students to achieve success in S4 and beyond. See below for the three pathway choices into S4.
Recommended for students who are not on track to achieve 3rd level Maths and Numeracy.
Recommended for students who are not on track to achieve 3rd level Maths and Numeracy.
Recommended for students who are on track to achieve 3rd or 4th level Maths and Numeracy by the end of S3 but who find the algebra content challenging.
Recommended for students who are on track to achieve 3rd or 4th level Maths and Numeracy by the end of S3 but who find the algebra content challenging.
Recommended for students who are on track to achieve 3rd or 4th level Maths and Numeracy by the end of S3 and are competent with their algebra skills.
Recommended for students who are on track to achieve 3rd or 4th level Maths and Numeracy by the end of S3 and are competent with their algebra skills.
Progression - National 5 Applications of Maths in S5.
Progression - Higher Maths Applications in S5.
Progression - Higher Maths in S5.
Students completing Maths Applications cannot go on to study Maths Highers in S5 due to missing algebra content needed in this course. It is important to check future destination entry requirements (College and University) before completing coursing.
Students completing Maths Applications cannot go on to study Maths Highers in S5 due to missing algebra content needed in this course. It is important to check future destination entry requirements (College and University) before completing coursing.
Home Learning
Home Learning
Homework is set fortnightly throughout the year to allow students to recap key ideas in class and gain extra independent practise. This is set through the Dr Frost Maths website. Pupils can login with their Edubuzz emails and the password 'password' (unless they change it themselves).
Please click on the links to the left to access either Dr Frost Maths or a help video by Mr Harpham to understand the platform better.
Resources and other useful websites or links
Resources and other useful websites or links
Lots of work has gone in to our google classrooms. All material needed will be posted on here as well as electronic copies of textbook and any practise needed.
Other useful links are below from IXL and BBC bitesize.
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