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Maths Curriculum

This section provides information on the development of the new Primary Mathematics Curriculum.

Consultation 

Consultation on the full Draft Primary Mathematics Curriculum ran from March 24th - June 30th 2022.

There were a number of strands to the consultation.

1) School network                

 2) Children’s voice

3) Online questionnaires

4) Written submissions

 

Work is now taking place on analysing the feedback gathering during the consultation. Thank you to all those who took part.

 

Primary Mathematics Developments

Additional research for teaching and learning in the senior primary classes

In addition to the comprehensive suite of research for teaching and learning mathematics for children aged 4-8 years, a new suite of research has been commissioned by the NCCA which addresses teaching and learning for children in the senior classes of primary school. This research includes:

A research addendum to the original Research Reports 17 & 18 entitled 'Learning and Teaching Primary Mathematics'. This comprehensive research paper, authored by Dr Therese Dooley (2019), focuses on the middle to upper years of primary education to explore key ideas and considerations for teaching and learning.

A suite of five short research papers which span the five key domains of mathematical learning to discuss core learning concepts, mathematical processes and key messages for enactment in the classroom.  

 

Consultation Report

Consultation on the new Primary Mathematics Curriculum from Junior Infants to Second Class ran from October 2017 to March 2018. The report on this consultation has now been published. An accompanying video was developed to summarise the consultation and can be viewed below. Once again, thank you to all those who engaged with the consultation.

 

Draft Specification

The draft specification for junior infants to second class is available here. Following a period of consultation, this specification is currently being revised and extended for junior infants up to sixth class.    

Two children working together
Primary Mathematics Consultation Play Primary Mathematics Consultation

Research Papers

To add to the comprehensive suite of research underpinning the new Primary Mathematics Curriculum, a series of five short research papers are now available. These research papers, authored by prominent Irish academics in the field, focus on teaching and learning in the senior primary classes of primary school, across the five key mathematical domains: Algebra, Data and Chance, Number, Measures, Shape and Space. These papers examine the core mathematical concepts that are important for children to learn, the key skills and processes they will engage with as they learn and key messages for supporting enactment of the curriculum in classrooms.
Find below links to the five papers:

Research addendum

A research addendum to the original reports below was published in September 2019. It explores mathematical teaching and learning in the middle to upper years of primary education. 

Research reports

Mathematics in Early Childhood and Primary Education (3 - 8 years): Executive Summaries

 

Mathematics in Early Childhood and Primary Education (3 - 8 years): Definitions, theories, development and progression. RESEARCH REPORT No. 17

 

Mathematics in Early Childhood and Primary Education (3 - 8 years): Teaching and learning. RESEARCH REPORT No.18

 

The Building Blocks of Early Mathematics

What are the building blocks of mathematics? How important are they? Doug Clements answers these questions by summarizing recent research and development work. One effective instructional approach featured in all these is basing instruction on learning trajectories. This approach will be illustrated through a set of research projects using learning trajectories successfully.

How teachers can use maths learning trajectories to support all children to progress. Play How teachers can use maths learning trajectories to support all children to progress. How teachers can use maths learning trajectories to support all children to progress.
The role of technology in maths in primary schools for children aged 4-8. Play The role of technology in maths in primary schools for children aged 4-8. The role of technology in maths in primary schools for children aged 4-8.
Hallmarks of a good maths curriculum for children aged 4-8 years. Play Hallmarks of a good maths curriculum for children aged 4-8 years. Hallmarks of a good maths curriculum for children aged 4-8 years.
Appropriate maths experiences look like in classrooms for 4-8 year olds. Play Appropriate maths experiences look like in classrooms for 4-8 year olds. Appropriate maths experiences look like in classrooms for 4-8 year olds.
Learning trajectories in early mathematics. Play Learning trajectories in early mathematics. Learning trajectories in early mathematics.
The impact of parental expectations on children’s maths learning. Play The impact of parental expectations on children’s maths learning. The impact of parental expectations on children’s maths learning.
The importance of children understanding rather than memorising maths. Play The importance of children understanding rather than memorising maths. The importance of children understanding rather than memorising maths.
Intentional play-based teaching and learning in maths. Play Intentional play-based teaching and learning in maths. Intentional play-based teaching and learning in maths.

A conference on developing mathematical ideas with children (3-8 years) took place on Monday, November 24th 2014 in the Conference Centre in Dublin Castle.

Delegates heard keynotes from Professor Douglas Clements (University of Denver) and Professor Elizabeth Wood (Sheffield University) and took part in workshops spotlighting innovative maths work in schools and early years services. The conference closed with the Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O’Sullivan, TD launching two research reports: