Curriculum for Junior Cycle in TCC

Examination Subjects-Core Option subjects

• Irish (unless officially exempt) Choose 3
• English
• Mathematics
• History
• Science
• Geography OR Business
Non-Exam Subjects
(choose at end of 1st yr)

Short Courses: • Social, Personal and Health Ed.

• PE (SPHE)
• Coding OR Digital Media literacy • CSPE
• RE
Option Subjects – Choose 3
• Visual Art • Wood Technology
• French • Engineering
• Spanish • Graphics
• Home Economics • Music

https://www.jct.ie/publications/publications
JC MFL (Modern Foreign Languages)
Spanish & French
Students will:
• actively engage in language activities and
tasks, developing the capacity to
understand written and spoken language
• communicate effectively and confidently in
the target language
• appreciate their own and other cultures

Learning a language helps with memory,

creativity and listening skills
JC MFL (Modern Foreign Languages)
Spanish & French
Three strands:
• Communicative Competence
• Language Awareness
• Socio-cultural Knowledge & Intercultural Awareness.

Assessment
• CBA 1: oral, students create a 5 mins role play or scenario
• CBA 2: language portfolio, students submit 3 pieces of work that
they have completed throughout 2nd and 3rd year. Could be a
menu, letter etc.
• Assessment task worth 10% of final exam
• Exam: 90%
Languages & 3 rd Level
• Currently, courses in NUI and NUI affiliated colleges
require a 3rd language except for courses in Science,
Engineering and Nursing. (UCC, UCD, NUIG, NUIM, St.
Angela’s, NCAD, Royal College of Surgeons, Shannon College of
Hotel Management)

• The University of Limerick, Trinity College & DCU

currently do not require a 3rd Language as a basic
entry requirement nor do any of the Institutes of
Technology.

• UL does require Irish at HL or OL (unless exempt)

Engineering
The focus of junior cycle Engineering is goal-oriented, problem solving
for the manufacture of products, with emphasis on efficiency, accuracy,
precision and a high-quality finish.
Three strands
• Processes and principles
• Design application
• Mechatronics
Engineering
Through the study of Engineering, students will have the opportunity to
behave as engineers, and develop an engineering mindset. Students
continually test their designs and modify it based on what they have
learned.

Assessment:
• CBA1: Engineering in Action
• CBA 2: research & development
• Project: 70%
• Exam 30%
Junior Cycle Graphics
Graphics helps students develop:
• Creativity
• Spatial Awareness
• Capacity to reason
• Skills in communicating ideas
graphically
• Skills in 3d modelling
• Skills in creating a portfolio

Assessment:
• CBA 1: Communication through sketching
• CBA 2: Graphical presentation skills
• Project: 30%
• Exam: 70%
Music
Visual ART
• Art is not just a subject it is a lifelong companion.

• Evidence of students’ learning is captured in a Visual Arts Sketchpad

which is a collection of ideas, processes & work in physical or digital
form

Assessment
• CBA1: from process to realisation
• CBA 2: communicate & reflect
• Project: 100%
• No exam
Visual ART
• Drawing with paint,
pencil, markers, oil
pastels, chalk pastels,
inks
• Painting with water
colour, acrylic, poster
paints
• Sketchbooks
• Batik
• Hand Printed Textiles
• Printing: Mono
printing, Dry point
Etching, Lino Printing
• 3D work in Ceramics,
Construction and
Modelling
Home Economics
Equips students with knowledge, understanding and skills for:
• Life after school and work, no matter what path they take in life.
• The importance of healthy eating and how it contributes to their overall
wellness.
• The different roles within the family and society.
• How to become a responsible member at home and in society.
• Consumer competence and sustainability.
• Care of textiles, design and creativity through craftwork.

Assessment:
• CBA 1: Creative Textiles
• CBA 2: Food Literacy Skills brief
• Practical Food Skills exam
• Written exam
Home Economics – 3 Strands

Strand One Strand Two Strand Three

Food, Health and Responsible Family
Culinary Skills Living Textiles and Craft

• Nutrition • Family structures & • Sewing skills

• Food safety & roles • Textile care
hygiene • Conflict resolution • Fashion trends &
• Special diets • Health & wellbeing choices
• Food sustainability • Consumer studies • Sustainability in
• Culinary skills textiles
Wood Technology
• Students will explore through the medium of design, seeking out
opportunities to creatively and innovatively apply the
material/resource in making and shaping their environment.
• Through design based challenges posed, students will develop the
relevant knowledge, skills and values to bring ideas from conception
to reality
Three strands
• Principles and practices
• Design thinking
• Wood science & materials
Assessment
• CBA1: Wood science in our environment
• CBA 2: Student self-analysis & evaluation
• Project: 70%
• Exam 30%
Making your Provisional Choices

• Choose subjects that interest you, if you are unsure,

choose subjects which will allow you to keep your options
open.
• Seriously consider languages (requirement for entry to
some 3rd level courses)
• Fill in the form in order of preference. You must fill in all
eight boxes.
 Optional Subjects Form
to be returned to the school
on or before

3:30pm Friday 26th March 2021