General Resources
Select learning level(s) and subject area(s) in the boxes below to find resources to suit. Then click on the title of a resource you are interested in to see full details of that resource, including file downloads, “more like this”, “see also” and comments from other users.
Literacy: Ww/E2.1, Ww/E3.1, Ww/L1.1, Ww/L2.1
General: Dyslexia support
Level: E2, E3, L1, L2
Resource type: Discussion points, Handout or guide, Hands-on / practical activity, Investigation or project, Worksheet or assignment
This was designed to be used with a group of dyslexic learners but would be applicable for any learners with spelling difficulties.
I have used this by separating the group into small groups or pairs and then giving each group a different strategy to try with one of the words from the word list (two are provided – one for E2-E3, one for L1-2) or a word of their own that they want to spell.
The learners get 10 minutes with each strategy and then need to evaluate the strategy.
Literacy: Functional Skills English, General literacy / English
ICT: Finding and selecting information, Developing, presenting and communicating information
General: Generic resources for literacy, numeracy and beyond
Context: Sport
Resource type: Discussion points, ICT task sheet, Investigation or project, Listening and/or speaking activity, Worksheet or assignment
Level: E3, L1, L2
Learners must choose the next manager of the England football team. Using the task sheet to guide them, they must research, collate and present information for five candidates and then make the final choice.
There is scope for plenty of lively discussion around the choices made and also about what the manager’s job entails.
A Power Point presentation is included as an example, but can also be printed out to use in some of the additional activities described.
Numeracy: General numeracy / maths
General: Exam tips and help
Level: L1
Resource type: Handout or guide, Revision material
Written as a resource for distance learners with good reading skills who were challenged by some of the questions in the Level 1 Numeracy test.
I wanted to give them different methods of working out multiplication and division questions in particular – emphasising that multiplication is the reverse of division, and that multiplication is the same as repeated addition. The idea of division as repeated subtraction is also introduced.
Rounding, percentages and ratios are covered.
Numeracy: Functional Maths
Literacy: Functional English - reading
ICT: Finding and selecting information
General: Generic resources for literacy, numeracy and beyond
Free tags: Diamond Jubilee
Context: Art Film Media Music TV, Leisure Travel Tourism
Resource type: Investigation or project
Level: E3, L1
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.
Literacy: Homophones, homographs & confusables
General: Study Skills and General Teaching, Staff development
Level: L2
Resource type: Teaching idea
This study considers the emerging issue of consciousness in pedagogy both theoretically and practically. It examines why this issue is of fundamental significance for teaching and learning. Basic assumptions are clarified and the psychological and philosophical fundamentals of consciousness theory explored.
Some surprising and counter-intuitive conclusions are reached. It is shown that in the partnership between consciousness and unconsciousness the latter is likely to be senior.
Literacy: Decode, Apply strategies to spell correctly
General: Study Skills and General Teaching, Staff development
Level: E1, E2, E3
Resource type: Listening and/or speaking activity, Teaching idea
The need for deliberate teaching of phonemic awareness, and a means of doing this.
A research paper followed by a useful step by step method.
ICT: Developing, presenting and communicating information
General: Aims & objectives, ILPs, reflections
Context: Catering Food Nutrition
Resource type: Assessment material, Tracking or mapping
Level: E1, E2
First used with a group of E1-E2 numeracy students who had done an ICT based project involving cookery work and visiting a cafe to buy a snack. Print on A4 and fold into a very nice A5 leaflet.
The self assessment check boxes focus on basic money skills (recognising coins, giving change – but also slecting items from a list, weighing, etc.) but there is also the opportunity to link learning to numeracy at home or at college. Ideal for Entry Functional maths / catering / hospitality students.
ICT: General ICT resources, Developing, presenting and communicating information
General: Study Skills and General Teaching
Level: E3, L1, L2
Resource type: Handout or guide, Informative presentation
A demonstration of how not to make a PowerPoint. This has been used for all levels as an extreme example of the worst PowerPoint ever.
Literacy: Writing, Functional English - writing
General: Autistic spectrum support
Free tags: New Year
Resource type: Discussion points, Teaching idea, Writing frame
Level: E2, E3
A set of resources created for a group 16-19 year olds with high functioning ASD (autistic spectrum disorder) but suitable for any E2-E3 literacy /Functional English student.
Involves discussion of year’s highlights, and a written reflection and prediction exercise. Finally, the students record their hopes and wishes which are then kept in sealed envelopes until l the end of the academic year (or other agreed date).
General: Generic resources for literacy, numeracy and beyond
Free tags: Christmas
Level: E2, E3, L1, L2
Resource type: Quiz
Although written for a group of E2 literacy learners this quiz is suitable for any level / any subject. It could be delivered orally or as a written quiz, and completed in teams or individually.