General study skills and teaching resources for adult literacy and numeracy

Free Printable Resources for Adult Basic Skills Students and Teachers Updated 05/07/08
This new section contains resources that do not fit neatly into our main literacy and numeracy curriculum areas. Resources are available in a variety of formats. Learn more about downloading, saving or printing our worksheets. Find out how you con obtain editable Word versions.
Dyslexia support
PDF	Recognising p and b is a work / help sheet for dyslexic learners who have difficulty distinguishing between these two letters. Underline the letters, read the words and write sentences. Contributed by Debbie Hulse, Cannock Chase Technical College. Thank you Debbie. 2 pages. 40K. Filed under Study Skills and General Teaching Resources.
PDF	Recognising B and D a great help sheet for dyslexic learners who have difficulty remembering the difference between b and d. Tip: for some learners it may be best to teach just one strategy. For example, if they are left-handed show them the left-handed 'thumbs up' only. Contributed by Carol Gardner. 1 page. 25K.
Staff Development
PDF	Creating class handouts - two really useful step by step sets of instructions for creating a) a labelling handout (e.g. of a computer or any diagram/picture you want learners to label); b) a multiple choice question type handout with tick boxes. Originally used for training teachers on an NUT ICT training class. Also suitable for any L2 ICT / CLAIT students. Contributed by Ginette Kriche. 3 pages. 60K. Also filed under L2 ICT
PDF	Create signs and student lists - plus useful XP DTP tips - two really useful step by step worksheets for creating a) clever signs with some very amusing real life examples!); b) alphabetical student lists in tables. Plus a super 1 page collection of quick DTP tips / shortcuts for Windows XP. Originally used for training teachers on an NUT ICT training class but suitable for any L2 ICT / CLAIT students. Contributed by Ginette Kriche. 4 pages. 60K. Also filed under L2 ICT
PDF	Two day intensive workshops for staff taking literacy and numeracy tests provides outline plans and background information on how Wiltshire College has used a whole-organisation approach to improving literacy and numeracy and preparing staff for tests. Contributed by Fiona Campbell, Wiltshire College campfj@wiltscoll.ac.uk 7 pages. 20K
Skills for Life: Adult Literacy Resources' a talk (and related web site) given to PGCE students (post 16) at Oxford Brookes University in April 2005 as part of a 'Basic Skills Theme Day'. The day was designed to meet the FENTO requirements to address Skills for Life during teacher training. Includes: a downloadable PowerPoint (with notes and hand out) on background and history of the Skills for Life strategy, the development of commercial and free literacy resources, and pointers for creating high quality printed resources; an online mystery web hunt (to familiarise students with free online resources) with fill-in worksheet; useful links and much more. Note: web hunt answers can be found by clicking small animated icon at bottom left of the web page or by going to this link. updated 17/07/05The associated links and resources updated - reflecting changes in FENTO site (now called Life Long Learning UK) and other links.
Teaching aims, objectives and reflections
PDF	Reflections - Level 2 Smarties investigation is a wonderful report on a Level 2 data handling investigation. Contributed by Gabrielle Adnitt, Milton Keynes Adult Education gadnitt@yahoo.co.uk 1 page. 20K. Filed under General Teaching Resources and Level 2 Data Handling The following Smarties resources are available: Smarties investigation E1-L1, Smarties investigation L1-L2, Grids for Smarties bar charts & pictograms, M&Ms Fractions
PDF	Teaching resources v1 two VERY useful sheets that can really help both you and your students get the best out of lessons. 3 pages. 20K. Contributed by Margaret Lagoyianni, margaretlago2@btopenworld.com County Training, Shropshire.
PDF	Dissatisfied with your aims and objectives? Want more student feedback? Teaching resources v2 as above but Margaret has added additional questions to help students relate what they have learnt to everyday routines and/or employment. 3 pages. 20K
Generic resources
ZIP XLS	Su Doku is a great way show any Skills for Life learner how to play this popular puzzle and makes a good warm up activity. Use to provoke general discussion on logic-steps and how puzzles help to sharpen the mind and increase brain activity! Originally written for a group of numeracy students who asked to have Sudoku explained to them. Starts with a simple 2x2 square, building up the classic grid. With strategies, and quotes from Sherlock Holmes! After using the PPT why not download the accompanying Excel file which has a range of different sized blank grids, plus puzzles & answers. Contributed by Gabrielle Adnitt, Milton Keynes Adult Education gadnitt@yahoo.co.uk 7 slides. 40K zipped PPT file. 30K 3 sheet Excel file
PDF	Quick Christmas Quiz is a set of 10 questions with optional picture clues and differentiation ideas. Makes a great end of term filler for all levels. Contributed by Janet Wilkins, Royal Forest of Dean College College janet_w@rfdc.ac.uk 2 pages 180K.
PDF	Making simplified Tarsia puzzles. Useful help sheet for those of you that are 'getting into' Tarsia Formulator and want to know how to use the centre of each of your puzzles as a simplified version or starting point. Also gives ideas for making puzzles more challenging. We now have a selection of 'fjsw' literacy and numeracy puzzles on site (search for fjsw using the Goole site search box on our home page). Contributed by Dave Clapham, Park Lane College, Leeds. Will be filed on our General teaching resources page.
ZIP	Talk about Communication is a short but very useful PPT that is bound to stimulate much discussion about the different ways we communicate. Contributed by Sarah Ritchie busybee81@yahoo.com The Hope Foundation. 6 slides, 140K zipped PPT file
PDF	Weekend away is a substantial 9 page resource designed to encourage students to tackle large projects in bite sized pieces. Originally used with E2E learners but suitable for all age groups. Aimed at E3- L1, it covers many literacy and numeracy topics and also requires some IT and research skills. Also makes an ideal Key Skills project. Contributed by Antony Cahill, Work-Solutions, Manchester. Antony.Cahill@work-solutions.org.uk 120K. Also filed under Level 1 Key Skills portfolios.
PDF	Following instructions - BBC Skillwise provides step by step help to ICT/Lit/Num students plus useful practice in reading instructions. Contributed by Paula Pye, Chelmer Training paulapye@chelmer-training.co.uk Note: free Word version available, allowing tutors to customise for their own students.
PDF	It could be you! Great Entry level lottery activity that involves deciding how you are going to spend the money. Structured, with fill-in boxes for expenditure etc. Contributed by Anne Hodgson, Beechwood College for young adults with Autistic Spectrum Disorder or Aspergers Syndrome. anne.hodgson@beechwoodcollege.co.uk 3 pages. 120K. Covers many Entry Level elements inc: recording information, using a calculator to add & subtract money.
PDF	Live the lotto dream is a fabulous project that covers many E3/L1 literacy and numeracy elements. You win the lottery, buy a flat and have to furnish it from the Argos catalogue! Learn about budgeting, working with areas and floor plans, bank statements, rounding, estimating, and much more. Everything must be written up as a comprehensive report with a clear conclusion (a great guidance page on report writing is included in the resource). Contributed by Dave Walkden, dave.walkden@duchy.ac.uk Duchy College, Cornwall. 8 pages. 300K. Covers many elements and is also filed in these site sections: general number and measure resources, general Entry 3 literacy and general Level 1 literacy resources.
PDF	World Cup investigation, web sites, and teaching ideas for literacy and numeracy something for literacy and numeracy students at all levels! 65K. 3 pages. Contributed by Janet Kinsey (Abingdon and Witney College) janet.kinsey@abingdon-witney.ac.uk
XLS PDF	Generic Bingo card maker (Excel) a very clever spreadsheet that automatically creates 8 different cards (6 items per card) from a master set of 12 items. Use for ESOL (tenses, vocabulary), Literacy (synonyms, antonyms), Maths (tables, square nos.) - anything! Contributed by Hilary Scotton, basic skills tutor at SCOLA (Sutton College of Learning for Adults) hilaryscotton@scola.ac.uk Please also download the related PDF file for an overview, instructions and teaching ideas.
Revision and study techniques
ZIP	Trade Secrets. Seven fantastic pages for anyone that needs to get down to some revision! Contributed by Joy Collins, New College, Telford. Zipped PowerPoint (PPT) file (7 screens ). 370K
ZIP	How to Mind Map - another excellent mind map (see listing under Feb 06 for Joy's spelling strategies mindmap) for those that want to mind map but aren't quite sure how to get started. Contributed by Joy Collins, New College, Telford. Zipped PowerPoint (PPT) file (1 screen). 120K.
PDF	An introduction to mind mapping - planning a beach holiday. Fabulous multi-sensory resource for introducing mind mapping to learners at all levels. Includes teaching instructions, keys words and images (best laminated), sample mind map, sample report writing exercise based on mind map, and a very useful handout: 'How to Mind Map'. Contributed by Ruth Wood, Pro Training, Colwick, Nottingham info@protraining.co.uk 280K. 7 pages
DOC	Two great mind maps for visual / picture thinkers. One shows you how to mindmap, the other summarises spelling strategies. Contributed by Nikki Brown, additional support tutor from Cornwall College, St Austell nikki.brown@st-austell.ac.uk. 3 pages. 80K.
Exam tips and help
PDF	Revision & vocabulary notes for L2 Numeracy test was written for ESOL students with good basic numeracy skills who were taking the test without attending numeracy classes. However these notes are brilliant for any Level 2 numeracy student. Contributed by Ruth Colclough, Newcastle College ruth.colclough@ncl-coll.ac.uk 3 pages. 140K. Covers almost all L2 elements.
PDF	Revision & vocabulary notes for L1 Numeracy test was written for ESOL students with good basic numeracy skills who were taking the test without attending numeracy classes. However these notes are brilliant for any Level 1 numeracy student. Contributed by Ruth Colclough, Newcastle College ruth.colclough@ncl-coll.ac.uk 7 pages. 100K. Covers almost all L1 elements.
ZIP	Move - On learner guide is a great step by step illustrated 11 page booklet, ideal for students preparing for L1 or L2 Literacy and Numeracy tests. How to register, find the practice exam questions and keep track of results/progress. Contributed by Dave Humpage, Steps to Work, Walsall. humpagedave@walsall.gov.uk 520K (zipped Word file). Filed under our Exam tips and help on the General study skills page.
PDF	Test Tips for Numeracy provides great advice for students doing L1 or L2 adult numeracy exams. Contributed by Judith White, Somerset Skills & Learning. 1 page. 70K. Free editable Word version available (see resource for details)
htm	Moving on to the Level 2 Adult Numeracy exam a very useful online Webquest created to help learners pass their National Test at level 2. With exam tips, study skills, resource links and much more. Contributed by Ruth Wood, Pro Training, Colwick, Nottingham info@protraining.co.uk Thank you Ruth.
PDF	Exam Tips for students sitting paper-based Level 1 or 2 multiple choice literacy and numeracy exams. A free editable Word Version of this resource is available by emailing Maggie with details of where you teach Basic Skills. This will enable you to: customise the page with your own college logo, change picture, add your own tips, etc.
PDF	Literacy exam tips. Written with dyslexic learners in mind but useful for all learners working up to the L1 and 2 adult literacy exams. A special focus on grammar questions. Contributed by Helen Worsley, West Nottingham College Helen.Worsley@westnotts.ac.uk Thank you Helen. 3 pages. 30K. Level 1 Lit. Level 2 Lit
PDF	Online exam tips for students sitting on-screen / online electronic Level 1 or 2 multiple choice literacy and numeracy exams. Free editable Word Version of this resource is available by emailing Maggie with details of where you teach Basic Skills. This will enable you to: customise the page with your own college logo, change picture, add your own tips, etc. This version kindly adapted (from our original version for paper based exams) by Ruth Wood, for her Learn Direct students at Pro-Training, Colwick, Nottingham http://protraining.co.uk).
Planners
PDF	Extra Resources I: Blank "make your own" calendar sheet, weekly and daily planners. Although designed for MSS1 numeracy topics covering measurement of time, they can also be used for planning revision or study times. 4 pages. 300K.
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