Ireland · NCCA Curriculum Specifications
Senior Infants Foundations of Mathematical Thinking
This course develops early mathematical fluency through hands on exploration of number, space, and logic. Students transition from concrete manipulation to abstract representation while building a robust vocabulary for problem solving and reasoning.
01Counting and Number Sense
Developing a deep understanding of the number system up to 10 and the logic of combining or separating sets.
Revisiting natural numbers and introducing integers, including their representation on the number line and ordering.
Defining and identifying prime and composite numbers, and understanding prime factorisation.
Exploring factors and multiples, and calculating the Highest Common Factor (HCF) and Lowest Common Multiple (LCM) of numbers.
Mastering addition and subtraction of integers, including rules for positive and negative numbers.
Mastering multiplication and division of integers, including rules for positive and negative numbers.
Applying the correct order of operations (BODMAS/PEMDAS) to solve multi-step numerical expressions involving integers.
Defining rational numbers and exploring their representation as fractions and decimals, including conversion between forms.
Adding and subtracting fractions with different denominators, including mixed numbers.
Multiplying and dividing fractions, including mixed numbers and understanding reciprocals.
Performing addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division with decimals, including estimation and rounding.
Understanding percentages as fractions and decimals, and calculating percentages of quantities.
Understanding ratio and proportion, simplifying ratios, and solving proportional problems.
02Shapes Around Us
Investigating the properties of 2D and 3D shapes and identifying the underlying rules of repeating sequences.
Defining and illustrating fundamental geometric terms such as point, line, plane, segment, ray, and angle.
Measuring angles using a protractor and identifying relationships between angles (e.g., complementary, supplementary, vertically opposite).
Classifying triangles by sides and angles, and exploring their properties, including angle sum.
Students will explore the concept of symmetry by identifying lines of symmetry in 2D shapes.
Identifying patterns in sequences, finding the rule for the nth term, and generating terms.
Performing and describing translations, reflections, and rotations of 2D shapes on a coordinate plane.
03Long and Short — Measuring Length
Exploring physical attributes such as length, weight, capacity, and time using non-standard units.
Calculating the perimeter of various 2D shapes, including rectangles, squares, and composite shapes.
Calculating the area of rectangles and squares, and understanding units of area.
Calculating the area of triangles and parallelograms using their respective formulas.
Calculating the volume of cuboids and understanding units of volume.
Calculating the surface area of cuboids by finding the area of each face.
Converting between different units of length, mass, and capacity within the metric system.
Working with the 24-hour clock, calculating durations, and understanding basic time zone differences.
Applying mathematical skills to personal finance, including budgeting, calculating costs, and understanding VAT.
Understanding rates, particularly speed, and solving problems involving distance, speed, and time.
Exploring simple interest calculations and understanding currency exchange rates.
Interpreting and using scales on maps and diagrams to calculate real-world distances and dimensions.
04Sorting and Collecting Information
Collecting information to answer questions and applying mathematical logic to real-world scenarios.
Exploring different methods of collecting data, including surveys, observations, and experiments, and understanding sampling.
Constructing and interpreting bar charts and line plots to display discrete and continuous data.
Constructing and interpreting pie charts and histograms for different types of data.
Calculating and interpreting the mean, median, and mode of a data set.
Calculating the range of a data set and identifying outliers, understanding their impact.
Engaging in simple logic puzzles to develop critical thinking and problem-solving strategies.
05Number Stories
Extending number sense to 20 and exploring early multiplication/division concepts.
Understanding variables as unknown quantities and forming algebraic expressions from verbal descriptions.
Combining like terms and applying the distributive property to simplify algebraic expressions.
Solving one-step linear equations involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Solving two-step linear equations involving a combination of operations.
Understanding and representing inequalities, and solving simple linear inequalities.
Understanding exponents as repeated multiplication and evaluating expressions with positive integer exponents.
Writing very large and very small numbers in scientific notation and converting back to standard form.
063D Shapes
Deepening understanding of geometric properties and spatial relationships.
Classifying quadrilaterals (squares, rectangles, parallelograms, rhombuses, trapezoids) and exploring their properties.
Introducing basic geometric transformations through hands-on activities.
Using simple grids and maps to describe location and movement.
07Round Shapes and Circles
Introducing standard units of measurement and telling time to the hour and half-hour.
Understanding the components of a circle (radius, diameter) and calculating its circumference using π.
Calculating the area of a circle using the formula A = πr².
Calculating the volume of cylinders using the formula V = πr²h.
Comparing the duration of different activities and estimating how long tasks will take.
08Solving Everyday Problems
Applying mathematical concepts from all strands to solve multi-step, real-world problems.
Solving problems that require more than one step or operation, integrating different mathematical concepts.
Engaging in open-ended challenges that require students to apply mathematical thinking to practical scenarios.
Reviewing key concepts from the entire year, reinforcing understanding and addressing misconceptions.