Coláiste Bríde Numeracy 2014-2015
In 2011, the Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn, published Literacy and Numeracy for Learning and Life: The National Strategy to Improve Literacy and Numeracy among Children and Young People 2011- 2020. The strategy sets targets for improving literacy and numeracy standards to be achieved by the year 2020.
What is Numeracy?Numeracy is not limited to the ability to use numbers, to add, subtract, multiply and divide. Numeracy encompasses the ability to use mathematical understanding and skills to solve problems and meet the demands of day-to-day living in complex social settings. To have this ability, a young person needs to be able to think and communicate quantitatively, to make sense of data, to have a spatial awareness, to understand patterns and sequences, and to recognise situations where mathematical reasoning can be applied to solve problems. |
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An integrated whole-school approach
The promotion of an integrated, whole-school approach to literacy and numeracy is critical at post-primary level. The Strategy provides that “Literacy and numeracy activity can become contextualised, meaningful and purposeful to the learner through many subjects and areas of learning.” In that context, strengthening skills in this area is a task for all teachers, not just teachers of language or mathematics. |
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2014-2015 New Timetable supporting Numeracy
Cognisant of the recent circular on mathematics (0058/2011, p. 2-3) which asked schools to make every effort to ensure that students have access to a mathematics lesson every day, and that mathematics be strengthened in Transition Year, in May 2014 the staff discussed and reached agreement on changes to the timetable that would facilitate all students having 5 periods allocated for maths class each week with the exception of 6th year students who would receive 6 periods.
Best practice from pilot schools
Linked below is a 33 page document filled with ideas from a number of pilot schools in this area.
| tips_from_teachers_for_teachers.pdf |
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Suggestions include:
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Numeracy self-evaluation checklist
| numeracy_checklist.pdf |
PDST Numeracy Resources
Further reading
Click the links below to view the Strategy report along with further information:
- Literacy and Numeracy for Learning and Life Strategy- 8th July, 2011
- Summarised Version- 8th July, 2011
- Press Release on the Launch of Literacy and Numeracy for Learning and Life - 8th July 2011
- Briefing Note on the Strategy- 8th July, 2011
- Submissions Received- to End February, 2011
- Better Literacy and Numeracy for Children and Young People A Draft National Plan to Improve Literacy and Numeracy in Schools - November 2010
- The JCSP Numeracy Strategy 2008