TRANSITION YEAR MODULES (Half-year modules)
GEOGRAPHY
The Geography module consists of three areas
· Understanding/Drawing statistical information and reading information from tables and graphs.
· Natural Disasters
· Global Warming
Assessment: The students get credits for the following work completed:
· Booklet of graphs/statistical information completed.(10 credits)
· Powerpoint presentation on a Natural Disaster of their choice which they present to the class.(20 credits)
· An essay on Global Warming.(10 credits)
BIOLOGY
TY Biology covers many of the popular Biology topics that pop up in real modern life. Some of these include: Stem Cell Therapy, Blood Typing and Blood donations, Microbiology including diseases caused by Ebola Virus, SARs and Bird Flu. Classes, as far as possible are stand-alone classes, so if students are participating in other aspects of Transition Year, they can dip into and out TY Biology. Last year, two of the four classes went to Butlers Chocolate Factory as part of a study of the Food Industry. The module is a mixture of practical work, reading and answering questions, looking at relevant audio-visual material, analyzing graphs and the completion of an assignment as part of the final assessment. The aim of the module is for students to enjoy the module. Also hopefully after doing this subject, they might feel more confident to participate in a discussion, maybe should something relating to our module come up in the break room during work experience.
FILM STUDIES
In-depth analysis of a selection of films by Alfred Hitchcock.
Study of Hitchcock's approach and style as a director.
Study and discussion of Hitchcock's development across his career.
Study of language of cinema e.g. camera angles, shots, techniques.
Students assessed mainly on behaviour, attitude, contribution in class, punctuality, attendance.
Prepares students for study of film in Leaving Cert English.
ART (Mr Bunting)
TY art module is a course that gives pupils a glimpse at the type of practical work found on the LC art course (through Imaginative Composition) and also allows them to create art that is not found on either the LC or JC art course.
Pupils will create a final piece in a range of theme based options including :
. Stop-motion animation.
. Mosaic work.
. Stencil art.
. C.A.D. (Computer Aided Design)
BUSINESS
Students identify the 'Ideal Business' they would like to start up and will study the key aspects of start-up and management of this business. Students will cover the main areas involved in setting up and running a business in an interactive and enjoyable way, where innovation and creativity is encouraged. It is suitable for all students whether or not they have studied business beforehand.
ECONOMICS
Students will study both micro and macro economics and investigate how we make the best possible use of scarce resources in order to satisfy the requirements of as many people as possible. They will gain appreciation of the wider issues that affect business. It is suitable for all students whether or not they have studied business beforehand.
ACCOUNTING
Students will study how both households and businesses keep record of money received and spent. They will compile the Final Accounts for a business and then assess these accounts to determine if investing in this business is a good opportunity or not. It is suitable for all students whether or not they have studied business beforehand.
HISTORY
The module is 'African- American History'. It covers the Transatlantic Slave Trade, Arrival in the Americas, Life on a Plantation, emancipation... up to segregation, the Civil Rights Movement etc. (depending on time)
Student work / Assessment: Written project and oral presentation of one related aspect of the course.
MINI-COMPANY
Students will have an opportunity to set up their own business. They will decide on a product or service idea, raise money by selling shares,
be involved in the decision making process and produce, advertise and sell their product. It is suitable for all students whether or not they have studied business beforehand.
FORENSIC SCIENCE
Forensic Science starts with the history of crime and it's detection prior to 1900, moves to the beginnings of Forensic Science and uses experimentation to answer questions that may be encountered in real life cases.
CHEMISTRY
Aims are to improve problem-solving skills, give students an appreciation of the practical value of chemistry and to encourage students to work independently in a science laboratory.
Content includes separating mixtures, reactions of acids and bases, volumetric analysis, ion exchange reactions, flame tests, analysis of foods.
Emphasis is on students designing and carrying out their own experiments.
Assessment is in two parts:
· written piece on any aspect of Chemistry (not presented as a project, simply includes writing on the chosen topic).
· practical exam carried out in class.
HISTORY ‘100 YEARS AGO’
A module which will commemorate events such as 1916 Rising, Battle of the Somme, Sinking of the Lusitania. It will involve class research, trips to museums and exhibitions and local history.
PHYSICS
This module covers different aspects of physics and works on the skills
a scientist needs to carry out her/his work.
The module provides a ‘taster’ of some of the Physics experiments carried out In Leaving Cert Physics.
The aspects of Physics studied will include:
mechanics e.g.force/motion/energy
heat
optics
History of Physics…Aristotle, Galileo, Newton, Einstein
The skills covered will include drawing graphs, using scientific calculators, experiments/investigations, making oral presentations.
The module sometimes includes a short research project and presentation on some agreed topic in Physics/Science.
Assessment to be based on portfolio of work done, oral presentation, level of commitment to learning, participation and positive contribution displayed during the module
COOKERY
What will be covered in the module
- Safety and Hygiene in the Kitchen
- Shopping for Food
- A Balanced Diet
- Meal Planning
- Diet and Health: Anaemia, Osteoporosis, Obesity, Diabetes, etc,
- Convenience Foods
- Reading Labels
- Eating Out and Table Etiquette
- Cookery around the World
- Being Physically Active
- Cookery Skills - Practical Cookery Class Every Week
What do you need for this module?
- 1 apron
- 1 lunchbox/container to take food home in
- Display folder
Assessment Ethnic Cookery Assignment
Written Project - 50%
Ethnic Dish - 50%
BOOK TO FILM
Here is a short description of Book to Film studies:
Read the book and watch the movie version and analyse the similarities and differences between the written text and the visual text.
Students cover 4-5 texts during the module.Students also learn film terms and techniques and how to identify them.They also learn memorable quotes from both the book and film.
Students complete an assignment at the end of the module where theyexplore one of the texts in detail.
MEDIA STUDIES
We live in a mediasaturated world. From video clips on your phone, to TV ads to blockbuster movies, to posters at the bus stop, to the music in your earbuds, you are surrounded by media messages for most of your waking hours. How do you make sense of them all? How do you know what they are trying to communicate — both on an obvious and a less obvious level? How do you know how much you have been influenced — consciously or subconsciously — by these media messages? Does the media reflect your
reality, or control the way you view it?
It's been said that media literacy is as important to living in the 21st century as regular literacy was to the 20th century. Media Studies helps you develop an important set of skills that will help you increase your knowledge and understanding of:
● Communication
● Design
● Planning
● Presentation
● Evaluation
● Creativity
● Critical Thinking
● Research
● Storytelling
● Technology
● Politics
● Business
● Culture
● Citizenship
TECHNICAL GRAPHICS / DCG.
This module caters for both beginners and those who have studied Technical Graphics for Junior Cert.
All students are catered for and they will be introduced to the Leaving Cert Design, Communications Graphics course andan introduction to Computer Aided Design using the Solidworks design package.
If you are interested in Architecture, engineering, Graphic design and all other practical courses that involve the design and drawing of projects, this subject is relevant.
WOODWORK.
This module gives pupils an opportunity to learn basic furniture skills and also introduces the student to the Leaving Cert Construction Studies course.
Also, it gives the student an opportunity to design and construct their TY Year project.
Students can design and make a piece of furniture or musical instrument depending on their interest and motivation. This project can be taken home.
YOUNG SOCIAL INNOVATORS (YSI)
Young Social Innovators is a national programme with hundreds of schools involved.
Students decide on a social issue which is important to them; they learn about it, then develop a plan to take positive action on that issue - then implement the plan!
The issues may relate to their peers, their school, the wider community or the wider world.
Recent Mount Temple projects have been on Marriage Equality, Healthy Living, Mental Health, providing equipment for a rural health centre in Ghana.
ARCHIVES
The objective will be to scan, photos, documents, articles, slides, and various media belonging to the school ( and perhaps former schools that amalgamated to form Mount Temple). To collate and record this media with the possibility of creating a website to display relevant material.
Students will learn skills such as photography, digital editing, scanning techniques, file management, web design, archive skills, teamwork and collaboration.
YOUTH ACTION PROJECT (YAP)
Aims to ensure that young people become better informed regarding local, national and global issues.
…to develop and nurture positive and effective action amongst young people.
…to promote and establish the ideal All Different All Equal and make it a key part of our culture.
…to create an atmosphere of respect and solidarity.
…to work and share with others in order to sustain a peaceful future.
As a group we undertake weekly volunteer work in both the CRC and CHILDVISION. These placements include:
Classroom assistant, swimming assistant (age 16 and over), stable hand (previous experience required), small animal carer, horticulture and general maintenance.
Throughout the year we also partake in a variety of fundraising events in aid of organisations such as AWARE, DUBLIN SIMON COMMUNITY, CRC and CHILDVISION.
We explore current local, national and global issues and choose one to focus on and spread awareness.
EUROPEAN COMPUTER DRIVING LICENCE (ECDL)
In Transition Year in Mount Temple we offer a year module for ECDL. ECDL is a computer literacy certification which is globally recognised.
Students with ICT skills will enjoy an enriched educational experience and will be better prepared for life, work and further learning.
The cost of the ECDL course in school is €150. This comprises of an online learning account, 7 module tests and 7 mock tests. In school the students have 2 hours (3 periods) of class time. However, students need to be prepared to give at least another 2 hours a week at home also to this course.
If students are interested a €50 deposit must be paid to Ms. Morrissey in Y6 by Friday 8thMay. Please sign the permission slip below and return with deposit in an envelope with student’s name on the outside. As places are limited it will be allocated on a first come basis.
HOCKEY
This module is run in conjunction with Hockey Ireland. Students learn the basics of coaching and umpiring. They must give their own time to coach younger students after school. A booklet is completed and assessed by the IHA. On completion students receive a certificate from Hockey Ireland.
GAMES
Students are given the opportunity to participate in activities for a triple class in six week blocks. Some of these activities take place outside the school grounds. There is a cost depending on the activities assigned to each student. Activities may consist of TRX, Bootcamp, Pilates, Yoga, Rock Climbing, Capoeira, Rowing.
DRAMA
Practical, workshop based module on drama.
DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION
This year long course examines the disparities in human living conditions - the continued existence of inequality at local and global scales and of different perspectives on such divides.
During the year students will research NGOs, listen to speakers and become actively involved in projects which make a difference including organising the Mount Temple annual Diversity Week.
The course will include a modulespent learning Swahili, the language of East Africa. This would be a distinct advantage to a student who is considering a career in an NGO environment.
PHILOSOPHY
In Philosophy (2 periods a week) we cover the great philosophers from Socrates,Plato,Aristotle,Epicurus,Augustine,Aquinas,Descartes,Hume,
Kant,Nietzsche,Marx,Ayer,Sartre,Camus,Kierkegaard,Heidegger.
We look at Philosophy and Science, Moral Philosophy, Political Philosophy, Medical Ethics; how to argue. We use YouTube material on the great ideas, some video material on Nietzsche/Sartre etc. I try to make the ideas contemporary and challenging rather than just a study of dead greybeards.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
In Religion we look at some of the topics included in the Leaving Cert course. As usually I have not met any of these students in Junior cycle, I deconstruct religion (using de Mello's stories) presenting it more as an existential emotional challenge rather than a mythic or creedal construct. We try to have good discussions and fun.
EUROPEAN STUDIES
The European Studies class has two different strands. Firstly we are involved in theThe European Studies Programmewhich links our schools to schools across Europe through projects furthering tolerance, where we get to find out about the day to day lives and experiences of other students. We learn about their views and ideas and how they see the future of Europe and the world.
Secondly, we look at politics. We explore why? Why do we have government? What is the rationale behind laws? Why the European Union? What does it offer Ireland?... and many other questions.
SPANISH
An introduction to Spanish language and culture. Common phrases. The basics of spanish grammar. How to communicatein Spain.
APPLIED MATHS… TY MODULE