Helping+your+child+to+pass+Higher+Maths+-+Support

Introduction
This booklet has been designed so that you can use it with your child throughout the session, as he/she moves through the Higher course, in order to help them remember key facts and methods. There are separate sections covering the three units of the Higher, as well as one on Intermediate 2 revision. Obviously there’s no point trying to revise Unit 3 work when your child hasn’t yet covered it in class, so it’s worth giving a rough timetable for the course: (The section on (Intermediate 2 revision is fair game at any time of the course – your child should already know it all!)
 * Unit 1 is typically completed by mid-October
 * Unit 2 is typically completed by January
 * Unit 3 is typically completed by April

The booklet is not an exhaustive summary of the content of the Higher nor is it meant to replace the set of much more detailed Higher notes which your child should be building up over the session. But the booklet does summarise the key facts and methods which your child will need to be familiar with, if they are to have a chance of passing the Higher. Regular revision of these facts and methods will pay real dividends: it is much better to continually revise throughout the year, than to attempt to “cram” it all in at the last minute.

How to use the booklet
Your child could use this booklet on their own, but we think it would be much better if they had someone else to “test” them on the content. Basically, all you have to do is read out the question on the left-hand column of the page, and all they have to do is give the correct answer (more or less) which is shown on the right. If you prefer, you could simply show your child the question, covering up the answer as you do so.

So by the end of Unit 1 (mid-October), for example, you could test your child on the entire Unit 1 content. However we think it’s much better to revise more regularly than that, so we’d suggest that you find out from your child which section they are on (or have already completed) and test them on that, at reasonably regular intervals. If you can do this then you will be making a real contribution to your child’s knowledge of the course. In a sense, you will be helping them to remember their “lines” for the performance that will be the Higher Mathematics examination.

If you lack confidence in maths yourself
Don’t worry! We have tried to explain the terminology and notation as we go along, but if you are in doubt, then either simply show the question to your child instead or ask them to explain to you how to say it. You may find that some of your child’s answers differ slightly from what is here: this may not necessarily mean that they are wrong, as different teachers will naturally teach things in slightly different ways. If in doubt, check with your child. If still in doubt, please feel free to get in touch with us at the school.

Acknowledgement
These documents were produced by staff at Currie High School.