Czech participating school and Mathematics topics

School – Mathematical topics – Textbooks

School Na Slovance, Prague 8

The basic school Na Slovance, i.e. primary and lower secondary level, is affiliated to Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Education. In 2007/08, the school provides education according to its own educational programme “School open for all” in the first year of lower secondary level. In the remaining classes, teachers and pupils follow the educational programme “Basic school”.
Foreign language teaching is introduced in the 3^rd year of the school attendance, i.e. at the age of 8. Younger pupils can attend foreign language clubs. Foreign language instruction can be extended through optional subjects. The second foreign language is introduces at the age of 13.
The school uses streaming for the mother tongue, English and mathematics.
All pupils have access to the Internet and the school library.

The establishment of the school board is required by the Educational Act. In the school Na Slovance, it consists of three members – a teacher, a parent and a person nominated by the Prague 8 town council. Its meetings are held when necessary.
The school cooperates with parents within traditional framework of “Parent-teacher Association”. Each class is represented by one member. The meetings are usually attended by the head of school. Most of the agenda focuses on requests. Meetings where parents can meet teachers are held at least three times a year. Before and after these meetings, parents can consult with the teachers individually. The school meets parents also on special occasions like Christmas parties, exhibitions etc.
The school organises “Open house” once a year when parents can observe the classes. For the school year 2007/08 the date is January 8, 2008.

In the Czech Republic the school year is divided into two semesters. Basic and secondary schools begin on September 1. Teachers have some work to do the week before.
The first school holidays are on September 28, which is the name day of Saint Wenceslas, who is the patron saint of the Czech lands. October 28 marks the founding of the first Czechoslovak Republic in 1918. November l7 is celebrated as the day of students. Holidays in December are like those in most countries - about 2 weeks, depending on the calendar. December 24 is celebrated more than the 25th. There is usually one free day at the end of the first school term - end of January. Spring holidays are one week long, but the exact dates vary from one school region to another. They are in late February and early March. Easter is now officially celebrated. It is a 5-day long weekend for schools. There are two official holidays in May: the traditional May l and then May 8, marking the end of World War II. The school year ends on June 30. Summer school holidays are in July and August.

Timetable

The school building is open to receive pupils from about	7.00am
No pupil should arrive later than	8.00am
Classes usually commence at	8.00am
Lunch break time varies, it usually starts at	12.30 or 1.30pm
On Tuesday and Thursday, classes end at bout	3.30pm
On other day, classes end at	1.30pm

Pupils do not go home for lunch; they eat in the school canteen.
Regular attendance and punctuality are very important. If pupils wish to leave the school for any reason during the day, it is necessary for them to have a written consent from their parents.

Evaluation of student’s work

In the Czech Republic, schools use a 5-point grade system with 1 as the best and 5 as the worst. There are only whole numbers in the report cards, but oral and written tests are often marked by additional distinctive signs: 3+ is slightly better than 3, 2- is slightly worse than 2, 1-2 or 1/2 means halfway between 1 and 2, and 1* means exceptionally excellent.
The pupils also receive grades in their school report at the end of each semester.
In case a pupil is unable to cope with educational requirements and his/her progress is found unsatisfactory at the end of the school year, the pupil must pass an exam from the given subject. In case the pupil fails, he/she must repeat the year. Repeated years are included in the total of years of compulsory education.

Mathematical topics
in the period October-December 2008

6^th grade: decimals, basic facts from drawing.
7^th grade: fractions, congruence, point symmetry (rotation of 180° about the point), introduction to integers.
8^th grade: Theorem of Pythagoras, circle, circumference of a circle, introduction to algebraic expressions.
9^th grade: rational expressions, solids (prisms, cylinders, pyramid and cone).

Textbooks

CZ_Fractions.pdf Click here to see the Czech textbook excerpts on Fractions.

CZ_Pythagoras.pdf Click here to see the Czech textbook excerpts on Pythagora's Theorem.