Functional Maths

Resources (covering a wide range of number, measure and data topics) particularly suitable for teaching and underpinning Functional Mathematics.

Covers geometric drawings, area, perimeter, money, metric measures, tallies, line graphs and much more.
Fully mapped to the Functional Maths criteria and process skills. With answer sheet.

Editor’s note
Wonderful open ended project. Ideal for E3-L2 mixed ability groups.

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
Maths
MSS2/L2.2
MSS2/L2.1
MSS2/L1.2
HD1/L2.1
MSS2/L1.1
HD1/L1.1
HD1/E3.1
MSS1/L1.8
Functional Maths
Context
Gardening & Horticulture

Students design a board game to demonstrate their learning. This can incorporate IT skills (Word template provided below) or can be done with paper, card and pens.

I originally did this with an E2E group and it proved popular. It’s an alternative to the “design a poster” task to review learning. The instructions are set out as a board game. it can be used for literacy, numeracy, ICT or ESOL.

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
General literacy / English
Functional Skills English
Maths
General numeracy / maths
Functional Maths
ESOL
General ESOL
ICT
Functional ICT
General
Generic resources for literacy, numeracy and beyond

This resource has been designed using ideas in the popular Celebrity BMI resource (From Janet Wilkins – see below) already available on Skillsworkshop but adapted to suit the needs of Entry/ Level 1 learners.

Level
Level 1
Entry Level 3
Maths
General numeracy / maths
Functional Maths
Context
Health, Social care, Early years

An animated PowerPoint presentation (86 slides) that covers several topics: Fractions & Percentages;Units of Measure; Charts & Graphs; Ratio, Scale & Proportion; Perimeter, Area & Volume; Averages and Range. There are also some links for a planned inclusion of other topics at a later date (Time & Money, Tables and Formulae).

This presentation can be used in class, driven by the teacher, but it is also ideal as a guide for self-study.

Not really suitable for handouts, as there are many animated sequences that would overlap on the printed page.

Level
Level 2
Level 1
Maths
General numeracy / maths
Functional Maths

[img_assist|nid=5329|title=|desc=|link=popup|align=left|width=100|height=70]A set of differentiated tasks for construction students. I used the E3-L1 task with my Entry to L1 group and then the more challenging task with my L1-L2 students.

The use of measure is aways useful for my students as it is something they need to practise constantly given their vocational areas. The lesson was enjoyed by all, especially the hands-on measuring task prompted lots of fun and discussion. Encourage students to get others to check their measurements and validate their results.

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
Maths
HD1/L2.4
HD1/E3.1
HD1/L2.3
HD1/L1.4
HD1/L1.3
Functional Maths - handling information and data
Functional Maths
Context
Painting Decorating & DIY
Construction Carpentry Plumbing

Page 1: 8 maths questions relating to olympic torch
Page 2: Picture quiz: who is carrying the torch?
Page 3: Picture quiz: famous UK landmarks.
Page 4: UK cities – anagrams
Page 5: Answers

  • Quizzes on pages 2 and 3 make good ice breakers and can also be used for SL&C discussion prompts.
Level
Level 1
English
Adult Literacy: Speaking & Listening
Maths
Functional Maths - numbers and the number system
Functional Maths - measures, shape & space
General numeracy / maths
Functional Maths
General
Generic resources for literacy, numeracy and beyond
Context
Sport and fitness

This carousel of Jubilee tasks was hurriedly put together for a group of 10 E1-E3 Functional Maths and English 16-19 year old learners who had just (very successfully!) finished all their Edexcel Functional Skills assessments.

After a year of hard work from my students, the emphasis was on celebration and fun. However, learning objectives included: measuring, counting, writing an email, spelling, 2D shapes, estimating, rounding and working with money. Rough lesson outline also included.

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
English
General literacy / English
Functional Skills English
Maths
General numeracy / maths
Functional Maths
Context
History, culture, museums, libraries

An activity to explore money management and negative numbers. Be prepared to signpost students if need be.

The activity starts with discussing who is most likely to get into debt and then by recognising that anyone can if they don’t have good money skills.

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
Maths
N1/L2.1
N1/L1.2
AN MSS1/L1.1 Add, subtract, multiply & divide sums of money and record
AN MSS1/E3.1 Add & subtract money using decimal notation
Functional Maths
Context
Business & Money management

A topical investigation that can be used as a group or individual task. Learners imagine they have won tickets in the ballot and must plan their trip to Buckingham Palace.
Ideal for E3-L1 Functional maths, English and ICT but could be easily adapted for higher or lower levels.

Level
Level 1
Entry Level 3
English
Functional English reading
Maths
Functional Maths
ICT
Functional Skills ICT: Finding and selecting information
General
Generic resources for literacy, numeracy and beyond
Context
Leisure, Hobbies, Travel & Tourism
Art Film Media Music Radio TV

This resource uses the 2012 Olympics cycling road race as a theme and focuses on dates and time. Learners use a calendar to find a day and date, extract information from a table, add times to blank clock faces and carry out simple calculations. There is also a road map of the race with questions to answer.
Fully mapped to E2-E3 Functional Maths

Level
Entry Level 3
Entry Level 2
Maths
AN MSS1/E3.3
MSS1/E2.4
MSS1/E2.3
General numeracy / maths
Functional Maths
Context
Sport and fitness