New Additions 2009 - latest literacy and numeracy worksheets, linked to UK Adult Core Curriculum.

Additions to Site: 2009

KEY:	Literacy & ESOL	ESOL	Numeracy
	Site news: newsletter and support list updates, etc.		General and ICT

All resources on this page are also filed in the main Numeracy, Literacy, ESOL, Study Skills, Contextual or ICT areas.

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Resources added or updated November 2009 (screenshots available here)
30/11 New section added to the Useful Links page: Level 5 Numeracy Diploma links - these are some of the links and sources I used last year when studying for the diploma - hope they are useful to anyone doing it this year. More coming!
29/11 Employment skills
PDF	Lesson plans for employment skills is a set of two detailed plans complete with aims, objectives, assessment methods, etc. The first focuses on speaking & listening skills in interviews and includes a mock interview - aimed at the music industry but adaptable for all. The second is entitled 'Lone Parent Progressions - how to look for work' but is again suitable for anyone looking for work. Contributed by Andrew Potterton, Armstrong Training Andrew@armstronglearning.co.uk Thank you Andrew. 3 pages. 20K Filed under contextualised resources - employment
27/11/09 LSIS star awards (held yesterday 26/11). More info and photos on the blog but I just want to say a very big thank you to all my site users, especially those that have contributed resources. I'm too shocked to write any more at the moment!
29/11 Football
	Extra ideas for using the 'How Old is Wayne Rooney?' numeracy resource can be found on the Quick Teaching ideas page. Thanks to Andrea Curtis, Devon Adult and Community Learning for sending these in.
PDF	David Beckham is an Entry 3 cloze exercise which focuses on past tense verbs. Created as a replacement for the now dated Beckham text in the Skills for Life ESOL materials 2003 (Entry 3, Unit 2 Sport and Exercise, page 2) http://rwp.excellencegateway.org.uk/readwriteplus/LearningMaterialsESOL and is ideal ESOL and Literacy students who are also football fans. Contributed by Ann Matsunaga MATSUA@staff.croydon.ac.uk Croydon College. Thank you Ann. 2 pages. 30K Rs/E3.2
29/11 Seasonal Literacy and numeracy
PDF	How to make a Christmas Star is a fabulous set of illustrated instructions. Makes a great activity for literacy and numeracy classes (reading instructions, measuring, shapes, etc.) at many levels. Contributed by Sarah Horsley sarah.horsley@croydon.ac.uk Croydon College who first used this activity with construction students. Thank you Sarah. 6 pages. 260K filed under topical resources and seasonal measures.
23/11 The final Functional Maths, English and ICT standards (now called 'criteria') have been published by Ofqual. Available at http://www.ofqual.gov.uk/2578.aspx but note that they do not come into effect (and will not replace the draft standards) until the end of the FS pilot stage (Sept 2010?). However I will now be adding FS information to as many resources as possible - if they cover the problem solving, practical, real-life nature of Functional Skills. I will be starting with maths - but hope to be adding Functional English details from the start of next year. Please bear with me as this will slow down the resource processing procedure until I get used to it! Many of this year's resources are already linked to Functional Maths and there is further info on L1-2 Functional Maths in our L1-2 F. Maths help sheet (but do note that this is based on the draft standards). If you are waiting for your resources to appear on the site thank you for your patience (I am currently processing resources sent in mid-September).
23/11 L1-2 Number
ZIP	L1-2 Ratio and proportion is great introduction to ratio and proportion problems with lots of examples followed by a quiz (ideal for interactive whiteboard use) for up to 3 players. Contributed by Michael Hargreaves, The Oldham College Thank you Michael. 27 slides. 200K (zipped PPT file). N1/L2.3 N1/L1.7 Also suitable for underpinning L1-2 Functional Maths (please download our L1-2 F. Maths help sheet and see note in pink above).
17-23/11 Functional Maths (Entry)
PDF	Home and Away flat budgeting is a practical task where learners must furnish a flat for someone going off to uni. Contributed by Andrew Case, Intraining Group. Andrew.Case@intraining.co.uk Thank you Andrew. 6 pages. 250K. MSS1/E3.1 N2/E3.3 N2/E3.5. Suitable for underpinning E3 Functional Maths and includes full Entry 3 FM criteria information.
PDF	Pudsey Collection is a topical and very practical problem solving set of tasks based on a Children in Need collection. Specially written for Entry 3 Functional Maths students and can be easily adapted to suit your own students / charity. Contributed by Anna Lister, annal@lakescollegewestcumbria.ac.uk Lakes College, West Cumbria. Thank you Anna. 4 pages. 50K. Filed under general E3 number and MSS1/E3.1 (money)
08-15/11 Measures for E2- L2
PDF	Boxes is a very useful hands-on diagnostic assessment activity ideal for the start of term. Contributed by Ruth Read ruth.read@slowdog.vispa.com WEA (Workers’ Educational Association) East Midlands. Thank you Ruth. 2 pages. 50K Suitable for E2-L1 with extra extension ideas for L1-2. Filed under general measure resources.
PDF	Area, perimeter and volume is a lovely mnemonic poster. Helps learners remember which is which and how to work them out! Contributed by Malcolm Hill, Learndirect/System Training, Carlisle Malcolm.Hill@System-Group.com Thank you Malcolm. 1 page. 12K Will be filed under general L1 measures.
14/11 ICT
PDF	Internet Searching is a gentle introduction for those new to the internet (suitable for all levels from E2 upwards) based on the BBC home page. Contributed by Jane Harbord jane.harbord@ppdg.co.uk Pertemps People Development Group Ltd. Thank you Jane. 1 page. 40K filed under ICT resources - general
14/11 Entry 3- L2 Literacy
PDF	East is East review is a comprehension and writing task sheet for E3-L1. If learners also watch the East is East DVD it also provides lots of opportunity to discuss issues of race and culture. Contributed by Jane Harbord jane.harbord@ppdg.co.uk Pertemps People Development Group Ltd. Thank you Jane. 3 pages. 30K general E3 writing , general L1 writing, Rt/E3.1, Rt/L1.1
ZIP	Apostrophes is a lovely set of three PPTs. 1 - Apostrophes presentation which covers the use of apostrophes of omission and possession. Includes information, examples, questions and self-assessment (20 slides). 2 - Multiple choice questions on apostrophes of omission (ideal for use on an interactive whiteboard). 3 - Printable guide and worksheets for students (print as a PPT handout - 6 slides per sheet). Contributed by Alison Round, who was inspired by Jennifer Baines' "Where should I go?" PPT. Thank you Alison. 3 zipped PPT files. 600K. Ws/L2.4 Rs/L1.2
12/11 Seasonal literacy
PDF	Christmas Trees is an L1 text with comprehension questions and lots of useful homophone/vocabulary revision. Contributed by Sarah Seddon, Bolton Community College. Thank you Sarah. 3 pages. 40K. Filed under General L1 reading comprehension and Ww/L1.1
PDF	My Christmas v2 covers planning, drafting and proof reading a letter or a short story about activities over Christmas. This version is adapted especially for learners that spend Christmas in prison (or other places away from friends and family) and has been adapted from last year's version from Danielle Dagnall. Adapted by Karen Bruin, Thank you Karen.4 pages. 30K. Filed under E3 General Writing.
10/11 New links added to the Useful Links page: Care Skillsbase - contextualised literacy and numeracy resources for care workers. Skilled to Go - updated site from the Office of Fair trading with many new contextualised resources. Updated link added to the Printable Resources links page: Maths Skillsheets now have a lovely set of 5 free posters
08/11 Entry 2 ESOL upwards (and general interest)
PDF	The story of Edward Elgar is a set of two lovely resources about the famous British composer. A PPT with simple past tense illustrated cloze exercises, accompanied by a very useful, detailed PDF sheet full of teaching ideas including extension ideas, web sites where you can hear Elgar's music, leaflet about Elgar on bank notes, etc. Contributed by Janet Kinsey and Will Zawadzki (illustrator), Abingdon & Witney College janet.kinsey@abingdon-wintey.ac.uk wzawadzki@hotmail.co.uk Thank you Janet and Will. 1 page PDF, 25K and 3 screen zipped PPT file, 60K. General Entry 2 ESOL and higher.
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08/11 Contextualised literacy and numeracy resources - Hairdressing,Care
PDF	Decimals in care jobs stresses the importance of decimal skills (+,-,x,/) in three care jobs (children's nursery, occupational therapy, midwifery) with great, real-life example questions. Contributed by Lauren McNamara, The Oldham College. Thank you Lauren. 4 pages, 50K. N2/L1.5 Contextualised resources - care. Also suitable for underpinning L2 Functional Maths (please download our new L1-2 F. Maths help sheet).
PDF	Bad hair day is a super writing and discussion exercise that gets hairdressing students thinking about the importance of writing clear instructions. Will also spark off other activities as suggested in the accompanying teacher's notes. Contributed by Ruth Uprichard, Groundwork, Oldham & Rochdale. Thank you Ruth. 3 pages, 80K. Filed under general E3 writing , general L1 writing and contextualised resources - hairdressing. Also suitable for underpinning Entry 3 Functional English
02/11 Favourite downloads chart updated. Now shows statistics for October 2009. The chart is spread over 6 pages. Positions 0-200 201-400 401-600 601-800 801-1000 1001-1084

Resources added or updated October 2009 (screenshots available here)
24/10 New Comment on the comments page. Thank you Janine - hope the handwriting sheets worked out! Please note if you have feedback for a contributor and his or her email is not on the resource (some contributors prefer not to include this information) comments can always be mailed to maggie@skillsworkshop.org and I will pass them on. You can also post comments on the Blog. Thank you
24/10 New indexes /menus have been added at the top of the ever-growing Contextualised & Embedded / ICT / Study Skills resource pages. I hope this helps you find what you're looking for! (The demand for contextualised resources is huge - especially since the advent of Functional Skills. The 'contextualised and embedded' resource page now covers 12 areas: Art, Film and Media Business Catering; Food and Nutrition; Construction; Electrical / Electronics; Employment skills; Gardening and Horticulture; Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy; Health and Safety; History; Motor Vehicles and Transport; Nursing, Care, Childcare and Health; Painting and Decorating; Leisure, Travel and Tourism; and Sport.
23-24/10 Contextualised literacy resources - Hairdressing & Construction
PDF	Britain's Brickies is a series of comprehension questions and dictionary/vocabulary exercises - based on an old (2004) BBC report about the building of Terminal 5. Contributed by Grace Labode, North West Kent College gracelabode@nwkcollege.ac.uk. Thank you Grace. 5 pages, 60K. Filed under General L2 reading comprehension, General L2 vocabulary and contextualised resources - construction
PDF	Apprentice Hairdressers is a series of comprehension questions and dictionary/vocabulary exercises - based on a BBC local news report. Contributed by Grace Labode, North West Kent College gracelabode@nwkcollege.ac.uk. Thank you Grace. 3 pages, 40K. Filed under General L1 reading comprehension, General L1 vocabulary and contextualised resources - hairdressing
PDF	World champion hairdresser is a series of comprehension questions and dictionary/vocabulary exercises - based on a BBC local news report. Contributed by Grace Labode, North West Kent College gracelabode@nwkcollege.ac.uk. Thank you Grace. 5 pages, 50K. Filed under General L1 reading comprehension, General L1 vocabulary and contextualised resources - hairdressing
24/10 Error fix. Angela Kennedy's Fire Instructions (text ordering activity) corrected. (Some of the instructions were in the wrong order). Ian Saunder's L2 Converting Measures (answer to Q7 corrected) and John Thompson's Percentage worker-outer (Q1, part 2, answer is £31 not £36). Thanks to Judith White for reporting these errors
23/10 Fractions, decimals and percentages
PDF	Practise fractions starts with a basic introduction involving shading squares (to indicate tenths and hundredths). The second part is a practical application based on fractions of a day - e.g. what fraction of a day do you spend watching TV? Contributed by Ciaran OBriain, East Surrey College. Thank you Ciaran. 3 pages. 25K N2/E3.1
PDF	Practise percentages starts with a some questions based on the results of a survey in a college canteen - emphasising that percentages are 'out of 100'. There is also a separate set of simple percentage increase / decrease questions. Contributed by Ciaran OBriain, East Surrey College. Thank you Ciaran. 3 pages. 45K N2/L1.8 N2/L1.9 N2/L1.10 and for underpinning L1 Functional Maths (please download our new L1-2 F. Maths help sheet).
19/10 Light hearted literacy
PDF	Laugh and Learn is a funny vet story accompanied by an excellent explanation of the puns used in the text and vocabulary/comprehension questions. Contributed by Marion Martin, ESOL and SEN community based support teacher, Australia. Thank you Marion. 3 pages, 110K. General E3 reading resources
PDF	Pet Centipede is a humorous E1-2 story accompanied by comprehension, simple past tense and contractions questions. Contributed by Marion Martin, ESOL and SEN community based support teacher, Australia. Thank you Marion. 2 pages, 70K. General E1 reading resources. General E2 reading resources. General E1 ESOL. General E2 ESOL
PDF	Charlie's Horse is a humorous E2-3 story accompanied by E3-L1 comprehension, grammar, spelling and vocabulary questions (making it ideal for mixed ability classes). Contributed by Marion Martin, ESOL and SEN community based support teacher, Australia. Thank you Marion. 3 pages, 40K. General E2 reading resources. General E2 ESOL. General E3 reading resources. General L1 reading resources.
06-19/10 Word Level
PDF	Regular and irregular plurals with Wordle has a range of words to sort according to plural spelling rules. 18 words. Ideal for display on a smartboard. Contributed by Dave Norgate, Bromley Adult Education College. Thank you Dave. 3 pages. 70K. Ww/L1.1
PDF	Homophone pairs quizzes with Wordle includes clues for each pair of homophones. Can you find them all? Three Wordle puzzles, each with 20 pairs of homophones and forty clues. Contributed by Dave Norgate, Bromley Adult Education College. Thank you Dave. 7 pages. 180K. Ww/L1.1
PDF	Word pyramids are fun word games that provide good spelling and vocabulary practice. Contributed by Dave Norgate, Bromley Adult Education College. Thank you Dave. 3 pages. 35K. Ww/E3.1 Ww/L1.1 general L1 vocabulary
PDF	Alphabetical fruit and vegetables using Wordle covers ordering by first and second place letters. Ideal for Catering students or anyone with an interest in food! Great for displaying on an interactive whiteboard. Contributed by Dave Norgate, Bromley Adult Education College. Thank you Dave. 2 pages. 65K. Rw/E3.4 contextualised resources - catering.
06-19/10 Writing ideas and activities
PDF	Six writing ideas for L2 is a stimulating set of ideas for letter writing (problem parking, TV standards, traffic, nasty neighbours) and essays (being an MP, climate change) - each topic has ideas for discussion (and often planning tips). Contributed by Dave Norgate, Bromley Adult Education College. Thank you Dave. 7 pages. 140K General Level 2 writing
PDF	Too posh is a fabulous way to teach the importance of style, suitable vocabulary and formal letter writing. Students must read, discuss and edit an over-the-top business letter. Contributed by Dave Norgate, Bromley Adult Education College. Thank you Dave. 3 pages. 80K Wt/L2.2 Wt/L2.5 Wt/L2.6 Wt/L2.7 Rw/L2.3
PDF	Writing ideas for L1-2s is a great set of ideas for essay writing - each main topic some with ideas for discussion (and often planning tips). Topics are: controversial topics, hero or villain, your neighbourhood, perfect holiday, and visiting a period in time. Contributed by Dave Norgate, Bromley Adult Education College. Thank you Dave. 6 pages. 200K Wt/L1.1, General Level 2 writing
18/10 Error fixes. Page 4 (Qs 6, 7, & 9) of Dave Norgate's Big Breakfast Aids Weight Loss corrected (previously there were two possible correct answers to each of these multiple choice questions). "Volcanos" spelling error in Jan Long's Earth - an amazing planet changed (as volcanos is indeed an acceptable alternative to 'volcanoes'!) Thanks to Alan Stockdale and Ellie Walsh for reporting these discrepancies.
17/10 L1-2 Numeracy
PDF	Business bank balance game is a great adaptation of Jane March's popular Bank Balance game (still available here). This version from Judith White, Somerset Skills & Learning, is designed specially for Level 2 learners who need practice working with large negative numbers. Thank you Judith. 6 pages. 90K N1/L2.1 N1/L2.2 and for underpinning L1-2 Functional Maths (please download our new L1-2 F. Maths help sheet).
17/10 Smart Notebook activities Please note you must have the Smart notebook software VERSION 10 installed on your computer in order to open, view and use these resources http://smarttech.com/ The great thing about all these activities is that they are created from a template (available in the Activity Toolkit, in the Smart Notebook Gallery) and can be quickly and easily edited to include specific words, spellings or crossword clues for your students. Note: if you are using an older version of the Smart notebook software and do not have the very useful Activity Toolkit you can download it from http://www.education.smarttech.com/ste/en-US/Ed+Resource/Lesson+resources/toolkit/download.htm If you experience problems downloading the notebook files (some systems incorrectly recognise them as zip files rather than notebook files) please read this extra information or talk to your IT dept. Please note that at the moment, due to large file sizes, I will not be accepting any more Smart notebook files that are created from templates.
notebook	Noun, verb or both is a good way to explore the way that words can be both nouns and verbs. Easily edited to suit E1-E3. 10 words to sort. Contributed by Dave Norgate, Bromley Adult Education College. Thank you Dave. 200K. general E1 grammar general E2 grammar general E3 grammar
notebook	Plurals covers both regular and irregular plurals (10). Easy edited if you want to add your own words. Contributed by Dave Norgate, Bromley Adult Education College. Thank you Dave. 250K Ww/E3.2 Ww/L1.1
notebook	Formal letters crossword includes words commonly used in formal and semi-formal letters. Easy edited if you want to make your own crossword (about any topic). Contributed by Dave Norgate, Bromley Adult Education College. Thank you Dave. 250K Ww/L2.1
notebook	Mixed anagrams includes 3 separate activities based on adjectives, adverbs and nouns (professions). All have a timer and optional clues and can be easily edited to include your own words/clues on any topic. Contributed by Dave Norgate, Bromley Adult Education College. Thank you Dave. 800K Ww/L2.1
16/10 Entry numeracy
PDF	Working in a charity shop is a practical set of tasks covering place value (writing cheques; counting up in 5s, 10s, 20s; adding up money) comes complete with paper money, paying-in slips and blank cheques. Contributed by Olubunmi Coker, Workfirst (New Deal provider), Nuneaton bunmiifedolapo@yahoo.com Thank you Bunmi. 3 pages. 170K N1/E3.1 N1/E3.2 MSS1/E3.1 and contextualised resources - employment
14-15/10 Rudyard Kipling's 'six honest serving men'
PDF	Questioning for understanding is a really useful help sheet that encourages learners to ask relevant questions (any topic, any level). Based on Kipling's "What and Why and When, And How and Where and Who" with teaching ideas and useful links. Contributed by Jeff Moran, MindSounds jeff@mindsounds.com Thank you Jeff. 2 pages, 100K SLc/E1.3 SLc/E2.2 SLc/E3.4 SLc/L1.2 SLc/L2.2 and general study techniques
PDF	Looking at Newspapers is a wonderful example of creative differentiated teaching across all levels (E1-L2). A detailed lesson descriptions, resources and introductory PPT are included. The lesson uses Kipling's "What and Why and When, And How and Where and Who" to help students analyse newspaper reports and interview other students, or their teacher, to create their own reports. Contributed by Ellie Walsh, Devon Adult and Community Learning, elanor.walsh@devon.gov.uk Thank you Ellie. 4 page PDF, 60K and 7 screen zipped PPT file, 20K. general E1 lit, general E2 lit, general E3 lit, general L1 lit, general L2 lit.
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13/10 New Comment on the comments page. Thank you Heidi - glad you liked Tom Gee's Noun Cards. Please note if you have feedback for a contributor and his or her email is not on the resource (some contributors prefer not to include this information) comments can always be mailed to maggie@skillsworkshop.org and I will pass them on. Thank you
13/10 L1-2 literacy
PDF	Why do CAPITAL LETTERS so annoy us? is a series of comprehension questions and dictionary/vocabulary exercises - based on a BBC news report. Although aimed at L2 the article itself is also useful for covering Rs/L1.2 (understand that certain texts such as text messages and emails may use non-standard or no punctuation). Contributed by Dave Norgate, Bromley Adult Education College. Thank you Dave. 6 pages, 40K. Rs/L1.2, General L2 reading comprehension and General L2 vocabulary.
06-13/10 Numeracy Assessment / Quizzes
PDF	Practice L1 Numeracy test is a fabulous 40 question practice paper written to provide challenging extra practice after a group of learners participated in a very difficult L1 numeracy test (the levels of the national test certainly do seem to be erratic at times, and definitely harder than when it was first introduced). Unlike the national test, the questions in this test are not multiple choice - making it equally suitable for initial assessment in both L1 and L2 classes. Covers all areas of the curriculum. Contributed by Dave Clapham, Park Lane College, Leeds. Thank you Dave. 11 pages. 130K. Filed under general L1 number general L1 data handling, general L1 measure
PDF	Practice E3 numeracy multiple choice test based on the online version available on the Move-On site. Ideal for revision or assessment purposes. 30 questions. Contributed by Ruth Colclough, Newcastle College ruth.colclough@ncl-coll.ac.uk Thank you Ruth. 12 pages. 250K. Covers almost all E3 elements and will be filed under General E3 number, E3 Measure, E3 Data handling
PDF	E1-E3 Start of term quiz or diagnostic exercise (or use simply to get learners into the swing of things!) includes a wide range of questions covering number, measures and data handling. Contributed by Dave Norgate, Bromley Adult Education College. Thank you Dave. 3 pages. 60K general E1 number general E2 number general E3 number general measure resources general data handling
PDF	L1-L2 Start of term quiz or diagnostic exercises (or use simply to get learners into the swing of things!) includes a wide range of questions covering number, measures and data handling. Contributed by Dave Norgate, Bromley Adult Education College. Thank you Dave. 4 pages. 40K. general L1 number general L2 number general measure resources general data handling
06-08/10 E1-E2 Literacy
PDF	Conjunctions is a super, card based matching activity where clauses must be joined by the correct conjunction. Contributed by Gill Clark, Monmouthshire Adult and Community Education gillyclarko@tiscali.co.uk Thank you Gill. 1 page. 35K Ws/E2.1
PDF	Supercars (including the President's Cadillac, and an Aston Martin with an ejector seat) consists of two detailed, differentiated E1-E2 2.5 hr lesson plans complete with resources. Includes reading and writing sentences (matching cars to scenarios), alphabet, spelling/phonics, discussion and much more. Contributed by Andrew Speers, andrewspeers@rathbone.co.uk Thank you Andrew. 11 pages. 140K general E2 Literacy general E1 literacy
06/10 New Comment on the comments page. Thank you Linda
06/10 New links added to the Useful Links page: Critical Literacy online journal. Online SMOG readability calculator & a useful readability document.
05/10 Error fixed in the last screen of Taz Kausar-Javaid's Miss Dotty Decimal PPT. Thanks to Fiona Campbell for reporting the error and adding the missing information on screen 11.
06/10 Literacy Assessment / Quizzes
PDF	E2-E3 Start of term quiz or diagnostic exercises (or use simply to get learners into the swing of things!) cover reading comprehension, sentence structure and punctuation, writing and spelling. Contributed by Dave Norgate, Bromley Adult Education College. Thank you Dave. 4 pages. 100K. general E2 Literacy. general E3 literacy
PDF	L1-L2 Start of term quiz or diagnostic exercises (or use simply to get learners into the swing of things!) cover reading comprehension, punctuation, writing and spelling. Contributed by Dave Norgate, Bromley Adult Education College. Thank you Dave. 5 pages. 90K. general L1 literacy general L2 literacy
02/10 Favourite downloads chart updated. Now shows statistics for September 2009. The chart is spread over 6 pages. Positions 0-200 201-400 401-600 601-800 801-1000 1001-1051

Resources added or updated September 2009 (screenshots available here)
30/09 ICT and General
PDF	09-10 Football Season is a wonderful way to engage mixed ability groups of footie fans! Contributed by Matt Barnes mydoggenius@yahoo.co.uk Thank you Matt. Covers formulating an argument, discussion, recognising points of view - facts & opinions, writing sentences & paragraph, averages, ratios, and addition & subtraction. 5 pages. 35K. Filed under general E2 whole numbers general E3 whole numbers general L1 number general L2 number General L1 Data handling, General L2 data handling general E3 literacy general L1 literacy general L2 literacy Contextualised resources - sport
PDF	Using bookmarks is a handy one page help sheet - instructions for Internet Explorer and Firefox, plus ideas for practice. Contributed by Geraldine Sombke, Brightwebs.com instructor@brightwebs.com Thank you Geraldine. 1 page. 100K. Filed under E3 ICT.
10-30/09 Entry 3 - L1 literacy
PDF	Level 1 Literacy Paper is a wonderful practice paper. Just like the real thing with 40 multiple choice questions based a good selection of 8 authentic texts (letter, email, job advert, instructions, report, film reviews, etc.). Contributed by Sarah Penneck, Kingston College, Sarah.Penneck@Kingston-College.ac.uk Thank you Sarah. 17 pages. 150K. Filed under general L1 Literacy resources
PDF	Fantasy job lesson plan is a step by step detailed plan based on Jane Harbord's popular Fantasy Job Project resource submitted in 2008. Gets students looking at job adverts and discussing what is required by employers. Great for general literacy classes or employment skills groups. Contributed by Philip Hinchcliffe, Working Links, Middlesbrough. Thank you Philip. 2 pages. 15K Rt/E3.2 Rt/L1.2 Wt/E3.1 Wt/L1.1 Wt/L1.4 Wt/L1.5 Contextualised resources - employment.
PDF	Character Building is a set of two resources (PDF and PowerPoint) written for Literacy through Drama students and is ideal for young social networking fans. A character must be selected and then imaginary Facebook/MySpace profiles written. Ideal for encouraging descriptive writing, use of adjectives, etc. 8 pages of writing frames plus a great PPT to introduce the topic (uses Bart Simpson as the character). Contributed by Marc Young, Bury College marc.young@hotmail.co.uk Thank you Marc. 8 page PDF 120K. 6 screen zipped PPT file 190K. Wt/E3.1 Ws/E3.1 Ws/E2.2
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PDF	London is a substantial 3 page text about capital city's landmarks and tourist attractions. Ideal for students living in or visiting London. Followed by 6 pages of activities including questions, true/false, wordsearch, dictionary and alphabetical order work. Contributed by Jacqueline Buchanan, Eclectic Productions jacqueline.buchanan@googlemail.com Thank you Jacqueline. 9 pages. 220K General E3 reading. General L1 reading
PDF	Obama is President is a topical Entry 3 BBC news text (which has an accompanying video) with comprehension questions and dictionary work. Contributed by Liz Hodges Thank you Liz. 3 pages. 20K Filed under General E3 reading comprehension and Rw/E3.3
27/09 New Comment on the comments page. One site user (thank you Janet) has found the Functional Maths L1-2 help sheet particularly useful.
27/09 New link added to the Printable Resource sites page: fabulous Inside Story printable flashcards and all 200+ links on this page have been checked. New links added to the Useful Links page under the CPD Level 4-5 literacy section: Mankind is No Island - street literacy film and VALBEC (Victorian Adult Literacy and Basic Education Council).
20-29/09 Investigations and data handling with sweets!
XLS	Skittles pictogram creator is a very clever Excel sheet to accompany our ever popular Smarties data handling resource and it a great way of combining numeracy and IT skills (many tutors are now using Skittles as an alternative to Smarties because there is more variation in the numbers/colours of sweets per packet). Contributed by John Thompson, Devon Adult and Community Learning jpd.thompson@btopenworld.com Thank you John. 1 sheet. 80K. HD1/E3.2 HD1/E3.4 HD1/L1.1 Please note John's Smartie pictogram creator is still available here.
XLSv1 XLSv2	Car park survey pictogram creator is another clever Excel sheet for recording the different numbers of coloured cars in a car park. Two versions are available - v1 has 1 picture representing 1 car, version 2 has one picture representing 5 cars. Contributed by John Thompson, Devon Adult and Community Learning jpd.thompson@btopenworld.com Thank you John. 2 sheets, each 100K. HD1/E3.2 HD1/E3.4 HD1/L1.1
PDF	M&Ms Investigation is an adaptation of the 2007 L1-2 Smarties resource from Judith White - it is particularly useful now as it seems that sadly the Smarties factory now uses an accurate counter and all tubes contain the same number of sweets! Covers bar charts, pictograms, tallies. Also discusses averages and analyses collective data. Contributed by Marion Crocker, Abingdon and Witney College, marion.crocker@abingdon-witney.ac.uk Thank you Marion. 35K. 3 pages. General L1 Data handling, General L2 data handling and for underpinning L1-2 Functional Maths (please download our new general L1-2 F. Maths help sheet).
PDF	Smarties graphs and pie charts is yet another adaptation of our ever-popular resource. This version is aimed at L1-2 and covers pie charts, bar charts, averages and tallies. Adapted by Jane Redgrave redgravej@selby.ac.uk Selby College. Thank you Jane. 4 pages. 110K. and for underpinning L2 Functional Maths (please download our new general L1-2 F. Maths help sheet).
PDF	Smarties Challenge makes a great mid term revision activity for L1 - L2. Covers averages, representing data, pi, fractions, percentages and more. With extension tasks. Kindly contributed by Olwyn Dean, Mid-Cheshire College odean@midchesh.ac.uk Thank you Olwyn. 2 pages. 50K. general L1 number, general L2 number
View our entire ever-popular collection of 15 literacy / numeracy Smartie (and other sweets!) resources in the Smarties section of 'topical links'.
15-28/09 Alphabetical order and dictionary work (E2-E3)
PDF	Alphabetical order groups is a handy set of six colour-coded groups of words to be sorted by first letters - or combine groups and sort by first and second letters. Contributed by Keith Priddle Tower Hamlets College k.priddle@tower.ac.uk Thank you Keith. 1 page. 15K Rw/E2.4 Rw/E3.4
PDF	Using a dictionary is a straightforward but useful worksheet where learners must look up and record word defintions. Contributed by Charlotte Faichney. Thank you Charlotte. 1 page. 15K Rw/E2.3 Rw/E3.3
PDF	Alphabetical order is a straightforward but very useful sheet covering ordering by first and second letters, and dictionary work. Contributed by Jacquie Slater. Jacquie.Slater@tcat.ac.uk Telford College of Arts & Technology Thank you Jacquie. 2 pages. 40K Rw/E2.3 Rw/E2.4 Rw/E3.4 Rw/E3.3
PDF	Alphabetical ordering cards for motor vehicle students is ideal for anyone interested in cars. Use for first or second place ordering. Contributed by Mark Sergison, Dudley College, mark.sergison@dudleycol.ac.uk Thank you Mark. 1 page. 25K Rw/E2.4 Rw/E3.4 and contextualised resources - motor vehicles
15-28/09 Maths for gardeners
PDF	Designing a garden is a challenging project where students must research, plan and cost a luxury garden. Includes scale diagrams, money, and shape and space problems (paving slabs). Extension options cover percentages and averages. Great for horticulture students or anyone with an interest in gardening. Contributed by Jane Redgrave redgravej@selby.ac.uk Selby College. Thank you Jane. 4 pages. 80K. MSS1/L1.11 MSS1/L2.10 MSS2/L2.2 MSS2/L2.3 contextualised resources - horticulture, also ideal for underpinning L1-2 Functional Maths (please download our new L1-2 F. Maths help sheet).
PDF	Buying herbs at the garden centre is based on packets of seeds and covers addition and subtraction of decimals (money), range and mean, and scale drawings. Great for horticulture students or anyone with an interest in gardening. Contributed by Susan Brocklehurst S2BROCKL@ccn.ac.uk City College, Norwich. Thank you Susan. 3 pages. 85K. MSS1/E3.1, N2/E3.5, MSS1/L1.11 HD1/L1.3 HD1/L1.4 contextualised resources - horticulture, also ideal for underpinning E3-L1 Functional Maths (please download our new L1-2 F. Maths help sheet).
PDF	A visit to the garden centre was written for NCPT horticulture students but ideal for anyone with an interest in gardening. Cover addition. subtraction. multiplication and division of whole number and money. Contributed by Pete Allsop, University of Derby P.J.Allsop@derby.ac.uk Thank you Pete. 2 pages. 30K. MSS1/E2.2, MSS1/E3.1, N1/E3.4, N1/E3.6, N2/E3.5, contextualised resources - horticulture, also ideal for underpinning E2-3 Functional Maths
12-27/09 Level 2 Literacy
PDF	Synonym substitutes is a really imaginative set of tasks based on written and audio versions of Lewis Carroll's Jabberwocky. Really encourages creativity and expression. Contributed by Tom Gee tom.gee@tameside.gov.uk Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council Thank you Tom. 3 pages. 40. Rw/L2.3
PDF	Sarah Palin - critical reading is a challenging set of tasks (and points for discussion) based on two opposing articles from a Sunday paper. Designed to assess whether students are working at level 2 standards and can follow an argument, recognise bias, distinguish between fact and opinion, etc. Contributed by June Mill (Skills for Life Tutor, East Riding of Yorkshire). Thank you June. 3 pages. 90K Rt/L2.4 Rt/L2.5
ZIP	L2 Literacy Millionaire game is a fun way of preparing a group for the L2 multiple choice test! 15 questions covering apostrophes, commas, tense, spelling inc. homophones and vocabulary. Contributed Leanne Lloyd, byleanne.lloyd@citysun.ac.uk City of Sunderland College, Hylton Skills Campus. Thank you Leanne. 46 screens, 2.6MB zipped PPT file. General L2 literacy resources.
16-27/09 'Parts of speech' for all levels
PDF	Noun cards can be used for classifying and discussing nouns at all levels. Card sort activity with additional written option. Contributed by Tom Gee tom.gee@tameside.gov.uk Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council Thank you Tom. 5 pages. 75K. general E1 grammar general E2 grammar general E3 grammar general L1 grammar general L2 grammar
PDF	Verb charades makes a great introduction to verbs at any level. Useful as a prompt for discussion and for building confidence and group collaboration. Contributed by Tom Gee tom.gee@tameside.gov.uk Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council Thank you Tom. 3 pages. 50K. general E1 grammar general E2 grammar general E3 grammar general L1 grammar general L2 grammar
PDF	Grammatical terms is a card based activity to assess students' knowledge of 'parts of speech'. Very useful as a prompt for discussion and as a launching point for work on sentence structure. Contributed by Karen Bruin Thank you Karen. 2 pages. 60K. Rs/E3.2 Rs/L1.1
ZIP	Grammar Glamour is an absolutely fabulous interactive board game that can be used as an informal assessment or simply as a fun activity at the end (or beginning!) of term. Designed to be played by two teams. Covers nouns, adjectives, verbs, punctuation, grammar, general knowledge and more! Contributed by Sandie Divers, Huddersfield University (PGCE project) and Henshaw FE Residential College Sandie.Divers@henshaws.org.uk Thank you Sandie. 90 screens. 310K zipped PPT general E3 sentence level reading general E3 sentence level writing general L1 sentence level reading general L1 sentence level writing general L2 sentence level reading general L2 sentence level writing
26/09 Quiz-buster plenary (or any time!) quizzes for use on an interactive whiteboard. This free quiz-maker is available from http://www.teachers-direct.co.uk/ and is played like the Blockbusters TV game.
	Blockbuster Quiz for M8/E1 computer words - created by Linda Buckmaster, Nescot College lbuckmaster@nescot.ac.uk Thank you Linda. Filed under preEntry ICT
	Comprehension questions on the 'Alice, Mark, Chloe and Paul' E2 texts created by Frances Ellam stafffe@congleton.cheshire.sch.uk Thank you Frances. Lit Rt/E2.1 ESOL Rt/E2.1a. Note the original Alice, Mark, Chloe & Paul resource (written by Amanda Burgess) is available here.
15-25/09 Entry 1-2 literacy
PDF	Dee gets Fit is a lovely Entry 1 story with comprehension questions, cloze exercise, word search, phonics work and more. Written in order to adapt the school-based Letters & Sounds reading scheme (available free - for details see attached teaching notes) for adults. The story and tasks cover the following phonemes: ng / sh/ ch/ th/ ow/ ear/ ee/ igh/ ur/ or/ ea/ oo/ ar/ er/ air/ ai/ oi/ ll. Contributed by Rachel Emmett remmett@tcch.ac.uk Hackney Community College. Thank you Rachel. 8 pages. 100K. Rt/E1.1 Rt/E2.1 Rw/E1.2 Rw/E2.2
PDF	Memory tips for ordering months of the year was written for a dyslexic student but is also very useful for Entry 2 measures, reading and spelling (and dyslexic students at any level). Contributed by Nancy Burn, Nancy.Burn@kenton.newcastle.sch.uk Kenton Technology College. Thank you Nancy. MSS1/E2.3 Rw/E2.1 Ww/E2.1 Also filed under General teaching resources - dyslexia support
PDF	A-Z wallet sized cards provide handy reference for Entry Level ESOL and Literacy learners. Helps with Alphabetical order, upper / lower case and vowels / consonants. Contributed by Dawn Jones, celticdawn@fsmail.net Thank you Dawn. 1 page (8 cards). 25K. Lit Rw/E1.3, ESOL Rw/E1.3a.
PDF	Jean is a Teacher is a short text accompanied by comprehension questions and related spelling activities based on vowel phonemes - ea (as in bread), ea (as in mean), ee, and ear. Contributed by Ros Taylor, WEA (Workers' Educational Association) Leicester. Thank you Ros. 6 pages. 65K Rt/E2.1 Ww/E2.2
PDF	Dolch words board game is a E1 kinaesthetic resource for 2-4 players - also ideal for dyslexic learners at higher levels. Contributed by Annie Hammersley. Thank you Annie.1 pages. 80K Rw/E1.1
12-24/09 E3-L2 writing and spelling
PDF	Homophones lists 30 pairs of common homophones (not to all be used at once!) with plenty of ideas on using them in spelling, sentence and discussion work. Contributed Sean Dady, tutor at the Olympic Stadium site dady.sean@googlemail.com Thank you Sean. 5 pages. 30K. Ww/L1.1
PDF	Proof reading posters provide cheerful, visual reminders to learners about checking their writing. Two versions - one for E3-L1, one for L2, etc.) - also make good handouts. Contributed by Sheila Greenman, Abingdon & Witney College sheila.greenman@abingdon-witney.ac.uk Thank you Sheila. 2 pages. 50K. Wt/E3.4 Wt/L1.6 Wt/L2.7
PDF	Writing prompt cards is a lovely set of 24 cards (topics inc. sport, lottery win, hobbies, summer, beach, schooldays, fame, etc.) to be used as inspiration for creative writing (E3-L2) or sentence level writing (E1-2). Contributed by Sheila Greenman, Abingdon & Witney College sheila.greenman@abingdon-witney.ac.uk Thank you Sheila. 6 pages. 450K. General E1 writing, general E2 writing, general E3 writing, general L1 writing, general L2 writing
ZIP	Celebrating Diwali cleverly combines details about the upcoming Hindu festival with information on the common homophones: there - their - they're. Contributed by Louise Swain, swainlouise@gmail.com Milton Keynes College. Thank you Louise. 11 screens. 330K zipped PPT Ww/L1.1 and also filed under General Teaching - generic resources.
ZIP	Writing a good CV is a presentation full of useful DOs and DON'Ts that finishes with a differentiated proof reading task for E3, L1, L2. Contributed by Louise Swain, swainlouise@gmail.com Milton Keynes College. Thank you Louise. 7 screens. 30K zipped PPT. Contextualised resources - employment. Also filed General E3 Writing, General L1 writing and General L2 writing
PDF	Were-we're-where-wear hands on activities inc, bingo game and cloze exercises - providing good group or individual practice with these common confusables. Contributed by Colleen Craggs, Hartlepool Adult Education Service colleen.craggs@ntlworld.com Thank you Colleen. 4 pages. 25K. Ww/L1.1
10-24/09 L1-2 Ratio and proportion
PDF	Cocktail and smoothie ratios is a wonderful way to introduce ratio and proportion (also covers converting measures). Choose your favourites from the 'menu', work out ratios for the ingredients and calculate amounts required for multiples such as 6, 10 and 20 drinks, make up your own cocktail. Adapted by Fiona Campbell, City of Bristol College fiona.campbell@cityofbristol.ac.uk from Jodie Travis's original version (still available here). This adapted version includes a wider range of non-alcoholic cocktails / smoothies for non-drinking students. Thank you Fiona. 8 pages. 140K. N1/L1.7 N1/L2.3 MSS1/L1.7 MSS1/L2.6 and L1-2 Functional Maths (please download our new L1-2 F. Maths help sheet).
PDF	Planning a barbecue is just in time for the end of the BBQ season and is a great way to introduce the idea of scaling down (or up). Designed to facilitate discussion about ratios and fractions. Contributed by Fiona Campbell, City of Bristol College fiona.campbell@cityofbristol.ac.uk Thank you Fiona. 2 pages. N1/L1.7 N2/L1.2 and L1 Functional Maths (please download our new L1-2 F. Maths help sheet).
PDF	L1 Ratio and Proportion lesson plan has everything you need for a great session - detailed 90 minute lesson plan, spider ratio resource and links to other resources used in the plan. Contributed by Amanda Ashton, Plumpton College Amanda.Ashton@plumpton.ac.uk Thank you Amanda.4 pages. N1/L1.7 and L1 Functional Maths (please download our new L1-2 F. Maths help sheet).
PDF	updated (first uploaded 24/03/04) Practice L1 Ratio and Proportion questions. 12 illustrated multiple choice questions. With notes for those that are teaching functional maths. 4 pages. 60K. N1/L1.7 and L1 Functional Maths (please download our new L1-2 F. Maths help sheet).
09-24/09 Decimals, percentages and fractions
PDF	FDP Happy Families card game is a great way to reinforce and assess learners' knowledge of fraction-decimal-percentage equivalents. Contributed by Judith White. Somerset Skills & Learning. Thank you Judith. 6 pages. 30K N2/L1.3 N2/L2.2 and for underpinning L1-2 Functional Maths (please download our new L1-2 F. Maths help sheet).
PDF	Breakfast cereal percentages is a challenging series of tasks based on food nutrition labels. Also covers ordering/comparing decimals, pie charts, extracting information from tables, etc. Contributed by John Kerrane kerranerie@btinternet.com Thank you John. 4 pages 30K N2/L1/.4 N2/L2.8 N2/L2.9 N2/L2.10 HD1/L2.2 contextualised resources - catering.
PDF	Percentages of different numbers is a thoughtful worksheet that is bound to provoke discussion about the "best " way to work out percentages and helps learners see the links between decimals, percentages and fractions. Contributed by Jan Long, janlong@tiscali.co.uk Thank you Jan. 2 pages. 40K. N2/L1.9 and L2 Functional Maths
09-24/09 Measures, Shape and space
PDF	Area of circles and triangles provides straightforward but very useful practice with working with formulae and using pi. 2 pages plus answer sheet. Contributed by Ian Saunders, Darlington Borough Council Training Unit Ian.Saunders@darlington.gov.uk Thank you Ian. 40K. MSS1/L2.7 and for underpinning L1-2 Functional Maths (please download our new L1-2 F. Maths help sheet).
PDF	Measures portfolio / workbook is a semi-structured set of investigations that would be ideal as an end of topic (common measures) informal assessment for L1-2 students. Covers length, weight, capacity, money, time, area and shapes. Contributed by Carmen Pop, Oxford & Cherwell Valley College. carmen.pop78@yahoo.co.uk Thank you Carmen. 11 pages. 60K Filed under general L1 measures, general L2 measures; and the investigative approach also makes this ideal for underpinning L2 Functional Maths (please download our new general L1-2 F. Maths help sheet).
PDF	New carpets makes a lovely practical step by step introduction to area for L1 students. Contributed by Richard Webster, Nacro e2e, Manchester. rjwebster401@btinternet.com Thank you Richard. 2 pages. 35K MSS1/L1.9 and the step by step problem solving approach also makes this ideal for underpinning L2 Functional Maths (please download our new general L1-2 F. Maths help sheet ).
PDF	Perimeter and area exercise involves working out the cost of carpeting a flat (compound shapes) and seeding and fencing a circular lawn. Contributed by Chris Cook, Peterborough College of Adult Education. Thank you Chris 3 pages. 150K MSS1/L2.7 MSS1/L2.8 - and the step by step problem solving approach also makes this ideal for underpinning L2 Functional Maths (please download our new general L1-2 F. Maths help sheet).
PDF	Metric measures of length and decimals provides two fill-in tables to practice converting between metric units (and multiplying and dividing decimals by 10 and 100) First covers m and cm, the second in cm and mm. Contributed by Sheena Clarke, Sheffield Lifelong Learning and Skills Service memesheena@blueyonder.co.uk Thank you Sheena 4 pages. 40K N2/L1.6 MSS1/L1.7 and for underpinning L1 Functional Maths (please download our new general L1-2 F. Maths help sheet).
PDF	A shopping trip to France provides great practice in converting money. Two differentiated worksheets -one suggests using an on-line currency converter, the other is more challenging and provides additional practice with multiplying decimals. Plus extension ideas. Contributed by Jane Flanders, Basingstoke College of Technology jane.flanders@bcot.ac.uk Thank you Jane. 2 pages. 80K MSS1/L2.1, contextualised resources - travel & tourism and L2 Functional Maths (please download our new general L1-2 F. Maths help sheet).
PDF	Tessellation and other Shape and Space investigations is a great set of activities and questions. The first is based on a children's design project and is aimed at L1 (with L2 extension activities). Plus two other practical L2 investigations ideal for horticulture (planting bulbs in flower beds) and construction (building a pathway with slabs). Estimating and working out exact costs are also covered. Contributed by Gaye Noel g.noel@parklanecoll.ac.uk Park Lane College, Leeds. Thank you Gaye. 13 pages. 50K. MSS2/L1.1 MSS2/L2.2 MSS2/L2.3 also ideal for L1-2 Functional Mathematics (please download our new L1-2 F. Maths help sheet).
19-22/09 E1 ESOL
PDF	Question words revision is a set of two simple but very useful matching games. Contributed by Adrienne Dolphin. Thank you Adrienne. 50K. 2 pages. ESOL Sc/E1.3a ask for personal details, Sc/E1.3b ask for information.
PDF	Buying stamps at the shop is a straightforward dialogue for paired speaking and listening practice. 2 pages - the second page allows for changes to be added. Contributed by Cerwyss O'Hare. Thank you Cerwyss. 40K. Sd/E1.1b. Lr/1.4b Lr/E1.5c.
PDF	Listen and spell short vowel sounds is a great way to focus on phonic spelling. Complete with a suggested word list although you could use your own as needed. For E1 -2 ESOL & Literacy. Contributed by Vanessa Tanner. Thank you Vanessa. 2 pages. 50K. Ww/E1.3 (Lit) Ww/E1.1b (ESOL)
12-21/09 Level 1-2 Numeracy- all areas ,
PDF	Stoke Happy Valley football league is a fun paired dice game that really gets across the meaning and purpose of finding the mode, median and range of a set of data. Great for footie fans - who can choose their own name for the home team. Contributed by David Thacker, Unity the Union & Stoke on Trent College, david.thacker@unitytheunion.org.uk Thank you David. 1 page. 30K. HD1/L2.3 HD/L2.4 Contextualised resources - sport and L2 Functional Maths (please download our new L1-2 F. Maths help sheet).
PDF	Large numbers in the news provides topical practice with reading and writing large numbers (up to billions) ands is ideal for start-of-term place value classes. Topics inc, Bruce Forsyth's salary, the possible Cadburys takeover and Heathrow Airport statistics. Includes a useful place value chart. Contributed by Judith White. Somerset Skills & Learning. Thank you Judith. 1 page. 20K. N1/L1.1 N1/L2.1
21/09 Minor error fixed in Pauline Bicker's 'Common Homophones' Tarsia jigsaw puzzle.
09-20/09 Maths revision / end of term quizzes (various levels)
ZIP	L1 Numeracy Millionaire game is a fun way of preparing a group for the L1 multiple choice test! 15 questions cover ratios, measures, percentages, fractions, place value, mean average, volume, time and money. Contributed Leanne Lloyd, byleanne.lloyd@citysun.ac.uk City of Sunderland College, Hylton Skills Campus. Thank you Leanne. 46 screens, 2.6MB zipped PPT file. General L1 numeracy resources.
ZIP	L2 Numeracy Millionaire game is a fun way of preparing a group for the L2 multiple choice test! 15 questions cover ratios, measures, percentages, fractions, division, area, volume and negative numbers. Contributed Leanne Lloyd, byleanne.lloyd@citysun.ac.uk City of Sunderland College, Hylton Skills Campus. Thank you Leanne. 46 screens, 2.6MB zipped PPT file. General L2 numeracy resources.
PDF (all levels)	Maths quizzes is a fabulous set of differentiated Maths quizzes that are great for revision and/or end of term. Three quizzes (E1-2, E3-L1, L2) each with four rounds: quick fire, picture (for which you will need to download the relevant PowerPoint - see left), true-false, and a timed or team round - depends on level. The author has even thought to include tie breaker questions! Everything is included except the bell or squeaky toy needed for the quick fire round! Contributed by Han Dunsterville, Canterbury Colleges h.dunsterville@cant-col.ac.uk Thank you Han. 10 page PDF (120K) and three separate zipped PPTs (each approx 300K) Filed under general E1 number, general E2 number, general E3 number, general L1 number, general L2 number, general MSS resources, general HD resources.
ZIP (E1-2)
ZIP (E3-L1)
ZIP (L2)
18/09 New link added to the Useful Links page. "The Mature Student's Study Guide" by Catherine Dawson is now available online as a free e-book. (The paper version currently costs £6.99 on Amazon UK). All 250+ links on this page have also been checked and removed or updated as necessary.
09-17/09 Maths help sheets
PDF	How to add, subtract, multiply and divide decimals is a useful step by step guide - especially for multiplying and dividing as this is where students often forget what to do about the decimal points! Contributed by Sheila Greenman, Abingdon & Witney College sheila.greenman@abingdon-witney.ac.uk Thank you Sheila. 3 pages. 45K. N2/L1.5
PDF	How to find the mean, mode and median is a really handy one page reference sheet with clear examples and explanations. Contributed by Sheila Greenman, Abingdon & Witney College sheila.greenman@abingdon-witney.ac.uk Thank you Sheila. 1 page. 45K. HD1/L2.3
PDF	Help sheet for those teaching L1-2 Functional Maths (FM) summarises some of key points and is aimed at those who are switching from teaching Skills for Life adult numeracy to FM. It stresses the importance of the process skills and how these should be considered when using any L1 or L2 skillsworkshop numeracy resource for teaching FM. Also includes handy one page overviews of al the L1 and L2 FM performance skills, and coverage and range statements. Compiled by Maggie Harnew. 6 pages. 50K. and General Teaching Resources: staff development.
07/09 Updated literacy curriculum elements. As promised in my announcement in June about the updated curricula (literacy, numeracy, ESOL, preEntry), I have now updated all the literacy pages (except preEntry) of the site to reflect the changes in the updated online adult literacy curriculum now available at the Excellence Gateway Skills for Life Core Curriculum (which replaces the old printed version first released by the DfEE in 2001). In addition, I have improved the menus and help at the top of each literacy page: Entry 1 Literacy; Entry 2 Literacy; Entry 3 Literacy; Level 1 Literacy and Level 2 Literacy. This should help those not familiar with the curriculum quickly find the resources they want. The main literacy and numeracy menus have also been simplified. Note: Numeracy pages (except pre-Entry) were all updated last month (see my message of Aug 22). E1 number; E2 number; E3 number; L1 number; L2 number; Measure, Shape & Space (all levels); and Data Handling (all levels). If you have any comments please email maggie@skillsworkshop.org - it has been a mammoth task and one that I hope I don't have to repeat in the near future!
01/09 Favourite downloads chart updated. Now shows statistics for August 2009. The chart is spread over 5 pages. Positions 0-200 201-400 401-600 601-800 801-984

Resources added or updated August 2009 (screenshots available here)
23-28/08 Entry 1-3 literacy
PDF	The Cardigan is a set of professionally written resources based on the popular reader from New Leaf Books. Includes imagery, speaking & listening, symbols, spelling (changing y to an i) and memory skills. Encourages readers to get the most out of the book. Contributed by New Leaf Books. Thank you New Leaf. 6 pages. 160K. SLlr/E1.5. Rt/E2.1 SLc/E2.4 Wt/E2.1 Rt/E2.3 Rt/E2.4 Ww/E3.2
PDF	Commas in a list is a picture based exercise (would be great displayed on an interactive whiteboard as an introduction to commas) followed by sentence writing practice. Contributed by Claire Millard, Dudley College of Technology, claire.millard@dudleycol.ac.uk Thank you Claire. 2 pages. 200K. Rs/E3.3 Ws/E3.4
PDF	At the Supermarket is a series of comprehension questions based on the popular reader from New Leaf Books. Includes unscrambling, gap-fill and true/false questions and really encourages readers to keep returning to the book to find the answers - thus improving comprehension, scanning and detailed reading skills. Contributed by Yvonne Cook, Medway Adult Education. Thank you Yvonne. 3 pages. 30K. Rt/E1.1 Rt/E2.1 Rs/E1.1 Rs/E2.2
PDF	My Red Face is a series of comprehension questions based on the popular reader from Gatehouse Books. Includes matching, gap-fill and yes/no questions and really encourages readers to keep returning to the book to find the answers - thus improving comprehension, scanning and detailed reading skills. Contributed by Yvonne Cook, Medway Adult Education. Thank you Yvonne. 3 pages. 30K. Rt/E1.1 Rt/E2.1 Rs/E1.1 Rs/E2.2
PDF	Just My Luck is a series of comprehension questions based on the popular reader from Gatehouse Books. Includes word hunt, gap-fill and yes/no questions and really encourages readers to keep returning to the book to find the answers - thus improving comprehension, scanning and detailed reading skills. Contributed by Yvonne Cook, Medway Adult Education. Thank you Yvonne. 4 pages. 40K. Rt/E1.1 Rt/E2.1 Rs/E1.1 Rs/E2.2
PDF	Keep your Hair On is a series of comprehension questions based on the popular reader from Gatehouse Books. Includes word hunt, gap-fill and true/false questions and really encourages readers to keep returning to the book to find the answers - thus improving comprehension, scanning and detailed reading skills. Contributed by Yvonne Cook, Medway Adult Education. Thank you Yvonne. 3 pages. 30K. Rt/E1.1 Rt/E2.1 Rs/E1.1 Rs/E2.2
PDF	Descriptions is a lovely set of reading, writing and listening activities for Entry 1. Based on describing 4 people - particularly the colours of their clothes. Includes gap fills, labelling, word banks, spelling and more. Contributed by Marie Scarlett, CONEL (College of North London). Thank you Marie. 7 pages. 75K Filed under General Entry 1 Literacy resources (also suitable for E1 ESOL).
26/08: Resource backlog - if you are still waiting patiently for your resource to appear please rest assured that I am now clearing the backlog created whilst I was studying for my Numeracy Diploma. All submitted resources are being processed in chronological order; so far this month I have worked my way through resources sent in December 08 and most of January 09. My progress has been slow as I am simultaneously having to update all the curriculum references due to the Literacy and Numeracy curricula (originally written by the DfES in 2001) being amended earlier this year. The numeracy elements have all been updated (see my notice of 22/08/09) and I am half way through the literacy elements (ESOL and PreEntry will have to wait a while longer!). Thank you for your patience.
25/08: To avoid the frustration of dead links I have now removed all the old AOL resource links (read this if you are interested as to how these arose) from the curriculum pages of the site. I.e. from pre-Entry numeracy, pre-Entry Literacy, E1 ESOL, E2 ESOL, E1 Lit, E2 Lit, E3 Lit, L1 Lit, L2 Lit, E1 Number, E2 Number, E3 Number, L1-2 Number, Measures (all levels) and Data Handling (all levels). Note that links to all these curriculum pages cam be found on the home page. The only pages where details of old AOL resources remain are: New Additions 2002, New Additions 2003 New Additions 2004 and the related Picture Preview pages for 2001-2002, 2003-2004. These pages are rarely looked at by site visitors but will remain as a permanent record of all resource activity since the site was created in 2001. If you are a site contributor and you still want copies of any of these old resource simply send me an email request and I will attempt to send them back to you as attachments within 24 hours (be warned that some are so old they may have gone missing from my hard disk!).
25/08 Spelling - all levels
PDF	Spelling techniques in an incredible collection of strategies for all levels. This huge resource is split into 3 sections. A six page comprehensive handout on spelling techniques (E3 upwards), a "Spelling for Me" worksheet where students are encouraged to try out different strategies and record their results, and a set of 19 different strategy pages (to be laminated) each with tasks for students to test out the strategy. Contributed by Jill Machin, Devon Adult & Community Learning, JillxMachin@aol.com Thank you Jill. 100K. 28 pages. Ww/E1.1 Ww/E1.4 Ww/E2.1 Ww/E3.1 Ww/L1.1 Ww/L2.1
14-24/08 Shape and space (note that one of the major changes in the new updated numeracy curriculum is the addition of new shape and space elements)
ZIP	Shapes around us is a fabulous interactive revision presentation for L1-2 2D shapes. Covers names, properties (inc. regular polygons), vocabulary, tessellation, measuring angles, symmetry and much more. Contributed by Gaye Noel g.noel@parklanecoll.ac.uk Park Lane College, Leeds. Thank you Gaye. 29 slides. Zipped PPT 600K. MSS2/L1.1 MSS2/L1.2 MSS2/L2.3 MSS2/L2.2
PDF	2D and 3D shapes is a great set of resources for all levels from E1-L2. Includes info and worksheets, card/matching games and an IT drawing exercise. Contributed by John Thompson j.thompson@wigan-leigh.ac.uk Wigan and Leigh College. Thank you John. 12 pages. 120K MSS2/E1.1 MSS2/E2.1 MSS2/E2.2 MSS2/E3.1 MSS2/L1.2 MSS2/L2.1
13-24/08 Entry ESOl and Literacy
PDF	E2 Writing task provides basic practice in addressing an envelope and completing a simple form. Contributed by Phoebe McLeod, The Adult College, Lancaster. Thank you Phoebe. 1 page. 100K. Rw/E2.1a Wt/E2.1b.
PDF	Judy; John; and My Party are three short, realistic ESOL/Literacy texts accompanied by reading comprehension, sentence structure, punctuation and spelling exercises. Contributed by by Ayesha Amin arrsha@hotmail.co.uk Thank you Ayesha. 5 pages. 100K. General Entry 1 ESOL. General Entry 2 ESOL. General E1 Literacy. General E2 Literacy.
23-24/08 Entry numeracy / Functional maths
PDF	Mental maths dice game is a great, quick-to-prepare paired game (all you need is paper, pencil and two dice) that is easily differentiated for any E1-E3 group. Example games include addition, subtraction and times tables. Contributed by Leon Szymanski, Bury Adult Learning Service l.szymanski@bury.gov.uk Thank you Leon. 1 page. 20K. General Entry 1 number, General Entry 2 whole numbers, General Entry 3 whole numbers.
PDF	Choosing between addition & subtraction really helps learners make sense of problem solving and decide which operation to use. Include review of vocabulary, gap fill exercises and 11 practical problems that have to be cut out, sorted and solved. Mostly single step problems with 2-digit numbers. Contributed by Janet Wilkins, Royal Forest of Dean College College janet_w@rfdc.ac.uk Thank you Janet. 6 pages. 280K. N1/E2.3 N1/E2.7 N1/E2.10 and E2 Functional Maths.
PDF	Money Matters: choosing between addition & subtraction helps learners make sense of problem solving and decide which operation to use. Six varied, multi-step word problems. Contributed by Janet Wilkins, Royal Forest of Dean College College janet_w@rfdc.ac.uk Thank you Janet. 3 pages. 150K. MSS1/E3.1 N2/E3.5 and E3 Functional Maths
18-24/08 E3-L1 literacy / Functional English
PDF	Subject - verb agreement is an immaculate set of resources accompanied by a detailed lesson plan - used with construction, decorating, and motor vehicle students but suitable for all. Includes spot the error. select the correct verb, identify the 'subject', spinner sentence activity for collective nouns and a Lewis Hamilton grammar exercise. Contributed by Mary Atherton. Thank you Mary. 150K. 3 page lesson plan and 5 pages of resources. Ws/E3.2 Ws/L1.2 Contextualised resources: construction, motor vehicles and decorating.
PDF	Words beginning with ex- crossword for spelling and vocabulary/prefix work. Contributed by Ginny Anderson. Thank you Ginny. 90K. 2 pages. Rw/L1.3 Ww/L1.1
PDF	Construction word puzzles make excellent fill-ins or introductions to key vocabulary. 1 wordsearch, 1 crossword. Contributed by Ginny Anderson. Thank you Ginny. 50K. 3 pages. Rw/E3.1 Rw/L1.2 Ww/E3.1 Ww/L1.1 Contextualised resources - construction.
23/08 Error fixes. Minor typo on page 1 of Danielle Dagnall's Christmas writing activity corrected. Last question (the correct option was not available in the drop down answer box) in Jenny Baines' Entry 3 'Basic Grammar' interactive worksheet. (Thanks to Ray Paterson for reporting this error).
22/08 Updated numeracy curriculum elements. As promised in my announcement in June about the updated curricula (literacy, numeracy, ESOL, preEntry), I have updated many areas of the site. All the maths pages (except pre-Entry) now reflect the updated online adult numeracy curriculum (which replaces the old printed version first released by the DfEE in 2001). In addition, I have improved the menus at the top of each numeracy page. See: E1 number; E2 number; E3 number; L1 number; L2 number; Measure, Shape & Space (all levels); and Data Handling (all levels). This should help those not familiar with the curriculum quickly find the resources they want. If you have any comments please email maggie@skillsworkshop.org. I hope to update the literacy pages in a similar fashion as soon as I get a chance.
22/08 Please support Margaret Adams, a prolific contributor to this site (particularly phonics resources) who has just had her second book published by Gatehouse Publishing. Bob's Problem is suitable for Entry 2-3 students and has an adult storyline (click on the picture left for more details). It is the second in the 'Supermarket Series' (see my announcement last year about Margaret's first book, Pam's Secret). There's also a CD with related learning activities; these can be printed, or displayed on a smartboard for group work. I have used both books with groups of Entry Level teenagers - they love the storylines and both books prompted much group discussion.
18/08 Error fix. Error in Q12, p8 ('Sebastian' changed to 'Gareth') fixed in Amanda Burgess's Mark, Chloe, Paul and Alice E2 comprehension texts
18/08 Level 1-2 lit, num and ICT / Functional Skills
PDF	Fairtrade business project covers many reading, writing, ICT, numeracy, speaking and listening skills inc. data handling, report writing, creating charts and questionnaires, giving a presentation, etc. Ideal for embedding all three functional skills (or literacy, numeracy and ICT) especially for business students (who must investigate the possibility of a college stocking fairly traded products in its canteen). Contributed by Helen Connell, Joseph Priestley College, Leeds. Thank you Helen. 4 pages. 60K. General L1 literacy, General L2 literacy, General L1 Data handling, General L2 data handling, L1-2 ICT and Contextualised resources - business
11-18/08 Level 1-2 numeracy / Functional Maths
DOC	Decimal on-screen slider is a rather nifty Word document where learners can move the digits to the right or left to see the changes in place value when multiplying or dividing decimals by 10. 100 and 1000. Contributed by Celyn Osuji, Wirral Metropolitan College, Birkenhead. Thank you Celyn. 35K. 1 page. N2/L1.6
PDF	Autumn term Level 2 Functional Maths formative assessment paper is an excellent assessment (based on a college cafe) that covers all aspects of Level 2 functional maths and will be immensely useful for providers that are switching from adult numeracy to FM. Contributed by the staff at South Thames College, School of Skills for Life. Thank you all. 150K. 13 pages (inc answers). Filed under General L2 Measures General L2 Data handling General L2 Number
PDF	Percent squares is a hands-on, very visual introduction to percentages and simple equivalent fractions. Contributed by Debbie Ellis, stedebs@blueyonder.co.uk Chesterfield College. Thank you Debbie. 1 page 15K N2/L1.3 N2/L1.8
tarsia fjsw	Tarsia puzzle simple division is a great way to revise or recap simple division. 16 piece triangular jigsaw. As usual with Tarsia puzzles, you can choose to print either a standard or large version of the puzzle (select Output - large, i.e. three pieces per A4 sheet). Contributed by Debbie Ellis, stedebs@blueyonder.co.uk Chesterfield College. Thank you Debbie. 6K N1/L1.5 N1/L1.6 Created with Tarsia Formulator (see our Useful Links page for further details) which is available for free download and creates its own custom Tarsia (fjsw) files.
PDF	Le Bistro Numeracy provides great practice in converting money and working with money and percentages. Contributed by Andy Heath andyintotnes@yahoo.co.uk Thank you Andy. 3 pages. 40K MSS1/L2.1 N2/L2.6 N2/L2.8 and contextualised resources - travel & tourism.
10-17/08 Level 1-2 literacy / Functional English
PDF	Supertram transport L1 Functional English paper is an excellent practice paper that could also be used as an initial assessment. Covers reading, writing and speaking & listening. Ideal for all those providers now switching from adult literacy to Functional English. From the staff at South Thames College, School of Skills for Life. Thank you all. 1MB. 12 pages. Filed under General Level 1 Literacy
PDF	Cartoon concepts - colds and flu is a great speaking and listening tool which involves discussing and sorting out myths and facts. The great thing about this concept (originally used in Junior science lessons) is the way it can be easily adapted for any topic and any group. Contributed by Yvonne Long, YES (Youth Education Service) Bristol, yvonnelong@btinternet.com Thank you Yvonne. 3 pages. 60K. General E3 Engage in Discussion General L1 Engage in Discussion General L2 Engage in Discussion
PDF	Apostrophe Protection Society is a paired activity based on the well known web site and is an engaging way to introduce or revise this tricky topic. Contributed by Emma McKenna, Tameside College Emma.McKenna@tameside.ac.uk Thank you Emma (who suggests that a useful extension activity is for learners to take pictures on their phones - where appropriate - of apostrophe ‘abuse’ they come across and bring them in to class for discussion). 1 page. 20K Ws/L2.4 Rs/L1.2
17/08 Error fix. Error in answer sheet (Perimeter, Q1) fixed in Pauline Bicker's Floor plan area and perimeter tasks
14/08 New post on the skillsworkshop blog - another site user needs some help - this time with helping a literacy student progress from E1 to E2 reading comprehension skills. If you think you can help out please read http://skillsworkshop.blogspot.com/2009/08/literacy-help-needed-reading.html and leave a comment (or email me and I'll forward your suggestions). Thanks.
13/08 Quick teaching ideas page updated (Edible fractions)
11/08 New pages: The Level 1-2 number resource page has been split into two separate pages. Level 1 Number and Level 2 Number. All the old AOL numeracy resource links have now been removed from the site although I eventually hope to update them and re-post on the site.
10/08 New post on the skillsworkshop blog - a site user needs some help with an upcoming ESOL job interview. If you think you can help out please read http://skillsworkshop.blogspot.com/2009/08/help-wanted-re-esol-job-interview.html and then leave a comment or email me and I'll forward your suggestions.
10/08 New links added to the Embedding ILT page: ELLLO English Speaking (L1-2 ESOL) and Interactive clock (Entry).
10/08 New links added to the Printable resources page: Math-drills (E1-L2), E-maths (L1-2) & Lanternfish (ESOL).
10/08 Error fix. Small typo fixed on p3 of Marie Scarlett's Cost Busters Supermarket Entry 1 resource (Hi changed to Hh).
10/08 Entry 1-2 literacy
PDF	Short Vowel a is a great series of reading, rhyming and spelling activities. Contributed by Margaret Adams uckfield@kenwardtrust.org.uk Kenward Trust / Uckfield Community College Thank you Margaret. 7 pages. 220K. Rw/E1.2 Ww/E1.3
PDF	Tigger the Hunter questions is a set of reading comprehension questions based on the short story by Tracy Richardson (available here). Also ideal for work on reading and writing simple sentences and general decoding/prediction work. Contributed by Emma Shaw emma.shaw@blueyonder.co.uk Medway Adult Learning Service Thank you Emma. 2 pages. 20K Rt/E2.1 Rs/E2.2 Wt/E2.1 Ws/E1.1 Rs/E1.1 Wt/E1.1
09/08 Favourite downloads chart updated. Now shows statistics for July 2009. The chart is now spread over 5 pages. Positions 0-200 201-400 401-600 601-800 801-955

Resources added or updated July 2009 (screenshots available here)
28/07 New post on the skillsworkshop blog: If the UK were a village of 100 people - or - How to embed adult numeracy / functional mathematics in vocational learning
20-21/07 1969 moon landing and the planets
PDF	1969 Moon Landing is a great selection of reading, writing, vocabulary, grammar and spelling activities (includes synonyms, antonyms, parts of speech, writing a postcard from the Moon, writing instructions, and more). Contributed by Ellie Walsh, Devon Adult and Community Learning, elanor.walsh@devon.gov.uk Thank you Ellie. 3 pages, 60K. Rt/L1.1 Ww/L1.1 General L1 writing Rt/L2.1 Ww/L2.1 General L2 writing Rw/L2.1 Rw/L2.3
ZIP	1969 Moon Landing, and the planets is a topical PPT with a good mix of activities covering vocabulary (the planets) , a word search (space related TV programmes) and comprehension questions based on a video of the moon landing and a related text. Contributed by Simon Kelsey, Steps to Work, Wolverhampton. Thank you Simon. 6 slides. 60K (zipped PPT file). Filed under general Level 1 literacy and general Level 2 literacy.
09/07 Hairdressing
PDF	Hairdressing resources for E3-L1 is a great set of literacy and numeracy resources based on making appointments. Includes blank and filled appointment sheets, treatment price list (with accompanying questions) and a short writing activity. Ideal for working with money and time. Also involves scanning text. Contributed by Nicola Smith, Royal Forest of Dean College. Thank you Nicola. 9 pages. 85K. MSS1/E3.1 MSS1/E3.3 MSS1/L1.3 MSS1/L1.2 Rt/E3.5 Rt/E3.7 General E3 writing and contextualised resources - hairdressing
06-09/07 Level 2 literacy
notebook	Misspellings is an interactive multiple choice whiteboard quiz with ten common misspellings (accommodation, definite and other classics). The great thing about this activity is that it is created from a template (available in the Activity Toolkit, in the Smart Notebook Gallery) and can be quickly and easily edited to include specific spellings for your students. Contributed by Dave Norgate, Bromley Adult Education College. Thank you Dave. 11 screens. 190K. Ww/L2.1 Please note you must have the Smart notebook software installed on your computer in order to open, view and use this resource http://smarttech.com/ Note: if you are using an older version off the Smart notebook software and do not have the very useful Activity Toolkit you can download it from http://www.education.smarttech.com/ste/en-US/Ed+Resource/Lesson+resources/toolkit/download.htm
PDF	Michael Jackson Tributes is a series of Level 2 reading (distinguishing between fact & opinion), proof reading and listening tasks. Contributed by Olubunmi Coker, Workfirst (New Deal provider), Nuneaton bunmiifedolapo@yahoo.com Thank you Bunmi. 2 pages. 50K Rt/L2.4 SLlr/L2.1 Wt/L2.7
PDF	Michael Jackson Obituary is a series of comprehension, vocabulary, apostrophe and summarising questions. Contributed by Kathryn Galara, Working Wonders (Education), kgalara@live.co.uk Thank you Kathryn. 2 pages. 60K. Rt/L2.1 Rt/L2.8 Ws/L2.4 Rw/L2.2
04-09/07 Entry 1-2 literacy
PDF	Summer Bingo is an ideal end of year or summer activity for beginner readers (ESOL or Lit). Contributed by Rachel Emmett remmett@tcch.ac.uk Hackney Community College. Thank you Rachel. 4 pages. 60K. Lit: Rw/E2.1 Rw/E1.1 ESOL: Rw/E2.2a Rw/E1.1a
PDF	Capital letters is a great set of hands-on card based activities for Entry learners. Sort and correct sentences, sort nouns into proper and common, etc. Contributed by Emma Shaw emma.shaw@blueyonder.co.uk Medway Adult Learning Service Thank you Emma. 10 pages. 60K Ws/E1.2 Ws/E1.3 Ws/E2.3 Ws/E2.4
PDF	Barack Obama questions provide extra comprehension practice on Rachel Emmet's E1 comprehension text. Contributed by Emma Shaw emma.shaw@blueyonder.co.uk Medway Adult Learning Service Thank you Emma. 1 page. 30K Rt/E1.1 Rs/E1.1
04/07 Famous faces!
PDF	updated (first uploaded 10/12/2003 and then 18/7/07) Famous Names and Addresses game (and other role play ideas for requesting and giving personal information) - one of our most popular speaking and listening resources (Entry 1 ESOL and Literacy) now updated to reflect the new US President. Can be used alone or with Skills for Life E1 Lit & ESOL materials http://www.dfes.gov.uk/readwriteplus/Learning_Materials_Literacy (Unit 3, Where I Live, page 6), http://www.dfes.gov.uk/readwriteplus/LearningMaterialsESOL (Unit 7, Homes, pages 6-7). Paired role play games where student can be the Queen, Gordon Brown or Barack Obama! Plus extra 'everyday' cards with different jobs and addresses, tips cards, housing questionnaire and much more. 11 pages. 280K. ESOL Lr/E1.2b Lr/1.4b Sc/E1.1a Sc/E1.1b Sc/E1.2a Sc/E1.3a Sc/E1.3d Sc/E1.4a Sc/E1.4b Sd/E1.1a Ww/E1.1a LIT SLlr/E1.2 SLlr/E1.4 SLc/E1.1 SLc/E1.2 SLc/E1.3 SLc/E1.4 SLd/E1.1 Ww/E1.1
02/07 The Average Briton
notebook	The Average Briton is an interactive whiteboard cloze activity originally aimed at L1-2 'English at Work' ESOL students but also great for literacy and numeracy students and ideal for prompting discussion about place value, British society, and much more! Contributed by Janet Kinsey and David Weston, Abingdon and Witney College. Thank you David and Janet. 4 screens. 25K. Filed under general L1-2 number, general L1 reading, general L2 reading. Please note you must have the Smart notebook software installed on your computer in order to open, view and use this resource http://smarttech.com/
01/07 Favourite downloads chart updated. Now shows statistics for June 2009. The chart is now spread over 5 pages. Positions 0-200 201-400 401-600 601-800 801-945 Please note I still have a huge backlog of resources at the moment - dating back to November 17 2008. Please be patient - I have finished my numeracy diploma (hurray!) and am working through them as swiftly as possible.

Resources added or updated June 2009 (screenshots available here)
28-30/06 Numeracy ice breaker, fractions, ratios and more!
PDF	Floor plan area and perimeter tasks provides lots of real life style decorating problems. Makes a great introduction to area using the count-the-squares method. Also covers multiplying money (working out cost of tiling, etc.) and ideas for L2 extension work. Contributed by Pauline Bicker, Northern Learning Trust pbicker@northernlearningtrust.org.uk Thank you Pauline.4 pages. 110K. MSS1/L1.1 MSS1/L1.8 MSS1/L1.9 Contextualised resources - painting and decorating
ZIP	Ratios and proportion is a highly visual and practical approach to solving ratio and proportion problems. Contributed by Keith Burnett, Sutton Coldfield College ping.keith@googlemail.com Thank you Keith.To see more of Keith’s resources visit http://www.slideshare.net/keithpeter. 26 slides. 150K (zipped PPT file). N1/L2.3
ZIP	Adding and subtracting fractions - Quick and Dirty Method! Is a fascinating way of tackling this often difficult-to-grasp skill. Contributed by Keith Burnett, Sutton Coldfield College ping.keith@googlemail.com Thank you Keith.To see more of Keith’s resources, including a traditional approach to adding fractions visit http://www.slideshare.net/keithpeter. 43 slides. 40K (zipped PPT file). N2/L2.4
PDF	Follow me cards - multiplying /dividing whole nos. and decimals by 10, 100 and 1000 is a great version of the popular whole class mental maths activity. Contributed by Judith White. Somerset Skills & Learning. Thank you Judith. 2 pages, 2 sets of cards.. 40K N2/L1.6 Follow me cards for whole numbers only are also available.
PDF	Numeracy bingo ice breaker is a great walk-around-the-classroom-and-meet-people ice breaker activity for the beginning of term (any level ). Contributed by Nicola Toms ntoms@mbc.ac.uk Matthew Boulton College. Thank you Nicola. 1 page. 60K Filed under general L1-2 number, general E3 number and general E2 number resources.
PDF	Pounds to pence is a straightforward but very useful conversion sheet. With extra teaching ideas. Contributed by Nicola Toms ntoms@mbc.ac.uk Matthew Boulton College. Thank you Nicola. 2 pages. 40K N2/E3.3
PDF	Numbers as words is an adaptable fill-in chart that can be used from E2-L2. Contributed by Nicola Toms ntoms@mbc.ac.uk Matthew Boulton College. Thank you Nicola. 2 pages. 20K N1/E2.1 N1/E3.1 N1/L1.1 N1/L2.1
26/06 New Comment on the comments page. Find out how one site user (thank you Jo) has been using 'Fred's full. Stop', a drop down letter about square oranges, and a crossword (all available on this site) to teach a broad range of skills in mixed ability classes. This comment has reminded me that some of the best resources on the site are also some of the oldest (all were contributed in 2005/06).
26/06 Error fix. Wimbledon (below 20/06/09) typo on page 4 fixed ('12' changed to '10') and author's place of work updated.
20-26/06 Cloze/suffix exercises, Wimbledon, omelettes and more
PDF	Omelette syllables is a nice introduction to using syllables to help with decoding and spelling. Contributed by Tricia Egginton, Adult Education Centre, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. Thank you Tricia. 2 pages. 40K Rw/E3.5 Ww/E3.2 and contextualised resources - catering.
PDF	updated with new list of 2009 seeds, etc Wimbledon (first uploaded June 2008) is a simplified text for E2 with comprehension and dictionary questions followed by alphabetical ordering work on the men's/women's top seeds. Contributed by Christine Robinson, Stockton Adult Education. Thank you Chris. 4 pages. 42K. Rt/E2.1 Rt/E2.4 Rw/E3.4
PDF	Power walking is a set of two cloze exercises (one for E3, one for L1) followed by an introduction to suffixes. Contributed by Tricia Egginton, Adult Education Centre, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath.Thank you Tricia. 3 pages. 40K Rs/L1.1 Rs/E3.2 Rw/L1.3
19/06 The Literacy and numeracy curricula have both been updated. The updated versions are now available online at the Excellence Gateway Skills for Life Core Curriculum (no printed versions are available as far as I know). In order to access the new curricula you will need to register (free) with the Excellence Gateway - this will enable you to access the curricula and a whole host of useful support materials. Changes to the numeracy curriculum include the introduction of algebra and estimation from Entry Level 1, and a greater focus on geometry. You can read further details in the What's New in the OnlineAdult Numeracy Core Curriculum document on the Excellence Gateway. Similar documents can be found for the Literacy, ESOL and preEntry curricula. I will gradually be updating the curriculum links on the site to reflect all these changes but it will be a long job! I have made a start with the Measure, Shape and Space page - which reflects all the curriculum changes and also now includes the examples and activities from the new online curriculum.
19/06 Measures, shape and space
PDF	Jenga is a hands-on activity that covers measuring, multiplying and 3D shapes (and a quick game of Jenga!). Contributed by John Thompson j.thompson@wigan-leigh.ac.uk Wigan and Leigh College. Thank you John. 3 pages. 30K MSS1/E2.5 MSS1/E3.5 MSS2/E2.2 N1/E3.5 and due to extension activities for L1 perimeter, area, volume, metric measures and tessellation also filed under general measure resources
19/06 E3-L1 Literacy and Numeracy
PDF	Day at the Zoo is a web research project that covers money and general reading/research/writing skills. You must plan a trip for 15 pre-school children. Contributed by John Thompson j.thompson@wigan-leigh.ac.uk Wigan and Leigh College. Thank you John. 2 pages. 70K. Filed under general E3 literacy, general L1 literacy MSS1/E3.1 (money) and contextualised resources - childcare
13/06 More swine flu resources
PDF	Swine flu L1-2 multiple choice questions 10 very topical exam style questions based on the UK Government /NHS leaflet released last month. Kindly contributed by Elaine Slingsby, Hillcroft College (the National Residential College for Women), eslingsby@hillcroft.ac.uk Thank you Elaine. 4 pages. 40K Filed under General L1 reading comprehension and General L2 reading comprehension.
13/06 Two new posts on the skillsworkshop blog: Fabulous (numeracy) flu graphic in yesterday's Times and Swine flu literacy resources galore
07/06 New posts on the skillsworkshop blog
03-06/06 E3-L1 Comprehension
PDF	Diversity - Britain's got Talent is based on the 2009 winners of the popular TV show and covers reading comprehension, vocabulary and alphabetical ordering. Contributed by Rachel Emmett remmett@tcch.ac.uk Hackney Community College. Thank you Rachel. 4 pages. 60K. Filed under General L1 reading comprehension and General L1 vocabulary.
PDF	Barack Obama is a short biography with general comprehension questions, spelling, chronological and alphabetical order. Contributed by Ellie Walsh, Devon Adult and Community Learning, elanor.walsh@devon.gov.uk Thank you Ellie (who was inspired to write this after using Rachel Emmett's E1 Obama resource). 4 pages, 50K. Rt/L1.1 Rt/E3.1 Ww/L1.1
PDF	Giant Lego man on the beach is a comprehension activity based on a BBC news report (Oct 08). 12 questions covering general comprehension questions and vocabulary. Contributed by Michael Garen. Thank you Michael. 2 pages, 35K. Filed under General L1 reading comprehension and General L1 vocabulary.
PDF	Woman in jail over virtual murder is comprehension activity based on a BBC news report (Oct 08) about a computer game. 15 questions (ideal for teenagers) covering general comprehension questions and vocabulary. Contributed by Michael Garen. Thank you Michael. 2 pages, 40K. Filed under General L1 reading comprehension and General L1 vocabulary. Note (from Maggie): please do not report to me that the question (in this resource) "What is data?" should be "What are data?". I am well aware of this but have decided to stick with common usage! You are, however, welcome to ask for an editable Word version (in exchange for a resource you would like to share) so you can edit as you see fit. Thanks!
05/06 Error fix. Contractions apostrophe bingo (May 2008): all incidences of 'we were' (which cannot be contracted!) have been changed to 'were not'
03-05/06 E3--L2 Numeracy
PDF	Fairtrade numeracy is a thought-provoking set of questions covering fractions, decimals and percentages; plus bar charts and dual line graphs (and some general questions about becoming a Fairtrade College). Contributed by Jackie Barton. Thank you Jackie. 5 pages. 70K. HD1/L1.1 HD1/L2.1 N2/L1.3
XLS	Smarties pictogram creator is a very clever Excel sheet to accompany the ever-popular Smarties data handling resource and it a great way of combining numeracy and IT skills. Contributed by John Thompson, Devon Adult and Community Learning jpd.thompson@btopenworld.com Thank you John. 1 sheet. 80K. HD1/E3.2 HD1/E3.4 HD1/L1.1
PDF	Fraction dominoes involves matching straightforward equivalent fractions and is ideal for Level 1. Contributed by John Thompson, Devon Adult and Community Learning jpd.thompson@btopenworld.com Thank you John. 2 pages. 20K. N2/L1.3
View our entire ever-popular collection of 12 literacy / numeracy Smartie (and other sweets!) resources in the new Smarties section of 'topical links'.
01/06 Favourite downloads chart updated. Now shows statistics for May 2009. The chart is now spread over 5 pages. Positions 0-200 201-400 401-600 601-800 801-926 Please note I still have a huge backlog of resources at the moment - dating back to November 2008. Please be patient - I have finished my numeracy diploma (hurray!) and now have more time to catalogue and upload resources.

General Notices - May 2009

I have been asked by NATECLA (National Association for Teaching English and other Community Languages to Adults) to let you know about their upcoming national conference.

Conference for ESOL practitioners. 10-12 July 2009 in Leeds.

Facing the Future - responding to changes in ESOL

Wide ranging programme of workshops - both practical and theoretical. Resources exhibition. Plenty of networking opportunities.

Keynote address from Professor Clive Upton of Leeds University.

http://www.natecla.org.uk/content/502/national_conference_2009_facin/

Resources added or updated May 2009 (screenshots available here)
26-27/05 L1-2 Numeracy
ZIP	Understanding exam questions - looking for what is asked! Is a wonderful way to get across the importance of reading questions carefully. Cleverly combines 6 typical, misunderstood L1/2 multiple choice questions with related optical illusions. Makes a great introduction to a revision session. Contributed by John Thompson j.thompson@wigan-leigh.ac.uk Wigan and Leigh College. Thank you John.8 slides. 110K (zipped PPT file). Filed under general L1-L2 number and exam tips
PDF	Number relationships covers the relationship between addition and subtraction; division and multiplication; fractions, decimals and percentages; along with multiples, square numbers, and factors. Ideal for initial assessment, homework or revision. Contributed by Janet Wilkins, Royal Forest of Dean College College janet_w@rfdc.ac.uk Thank you Janet. 3 pages. 110K. N1/L1.5 N1/L1.6 N2/L1.3
PDF	Happy percentages was used in pilot functional skills classes and is a great way to encourage reluctant learners to think about percentages by relating them to their own lives. Contributed by Ceri Geary, Northampton College. Thank you Ceri. ceri.geary@northamptoncollege.ac.uk 2 pages. 20K. N2/L2.9 N2/L2.10
25-27/05 Britain's Got Talent, literacy glossary, and more
PDF	Do you have a favourite...? is a set of 3 web research task sheets. Choose between rugby team, football team or favourite singer / group. Provides practice in web research, skimming, scanning and reading comprehension. Contributed by John Thompson j.thompson@wigan-leigh.ac.uk Wigan and Leigh College. Thank you John. 3 pages. 90K Filed under general E3 reading, general L1 reading and L1 ICT.
PDF	Is it were or we're? was written for students who confuse these two words in their writing. Suitable for E2 or dyslexia support at any level. Also useful for introducing the omissive apostrophe. Includes info, examples and tips followed by practice exercises and self evaluation. Contributed by Sheila Williams, Cardiff Basic Skills Service Thank you Sheila. 2 pages. 20K Rw/E2.1 Ww/E2.1 Rs/L1.2
PDF	E3-L2 Literacy glossary is a straightforward 1 page glossary which describes terms such as: verb, adjective, suffix, tense, prefix, vowel, etc. Also makes a good card match game or fill in exercise (see p.2). Contributed by Christine Casserly. Thank you Christine. 2 pages. 40K. Filed under General E3 Literacy. General L1 Literacy General L2 Literacy.
PDF	Susan Boyle - Britain's got Talent is a fabulous, topical set of Entry level resources based on the popular 2009 TV series. Covers reading comprehension, sentence structure, punctuation, planning writing (includes several writing frames), paragraphs, form filling and much more. Contributed by Margery Lynott, Leeds City College margery.lynott@thomasdanby.ac.uk Thank you Margery. 10 pages. 70K. Rt/E2.1 Rs/E2.2 Rw/E2.3 Rw/E2.4 Rw/E1.1 Wt/E3.1 Wt/E3.2 Ws/E2.4 Ws/E1.1 Ws/E1.2
25/05 Entry 3 Numeracy
PDF	Practice E3 Numeracy assignment - mobiles is a City & Guilds Style practice paper - 18 questions, many with a mobile phone theme. Covers money, measures, bar charts, estimating and rounding, tallies, fractions, multiplication, division and more. Great for homework, revision or assessment. Contributed by Dave Clapham, Park Lane College, Leeds. Thank you Dave. 8 pages. 100K. Filed under General E3 measures, General E3 data handling and General E3 number.
PDF	Estimating and measuring weight & capacity is a useful ICT based online supermarket exercise. Contributed by Carol Smith, West Nottinghamshire College. Thank you Carol. 1 page. 40K. MSS1/E3.6 MSS1/E3.7 Also filed under E3 ICT
10/05 Numeracy problem solving - with Smart Notebook software Note: this activity covers some NEW adult numeracy elements including algebra (which is now introduced at Entry Level 1). See http://www.excellencegateway.org.uk/ for more details - you need to register (free) in order to access the new updated Skills for Life curricula
notebook	A city of towers is an interactive whiteboard problem solving activity suitable for many levels. Makes a fun starter activity and provides a good link between shape and space and algebra. Can also used as a hands on activity for all (rather than just volunteers at the smartboard) using pencil and squared paper, plastic squares or wooden/plastic cubes. Adult numeracy element links are difficult to classify but include: MSS2/E3.1 (sort 2-D and 3-D shapes), MSS2/L1.2 (draw 2-D shapes in different orientations using grids). Also makes a good introduction to algebra / patterns from Entry 1 upwards. E.g. N1/E1.8: Solve numerical pattern problems involving algebra, recognise simple patterns and sequences. N1/L1.11: Solve problems involving algebra; translate simple word problems into symbols (+, -, x and x) and numbers. 8 screens. 30K. This resource was inspired by the original at http://nrich.maths.org/public/viewer.php?obj_id=183 Please note you must have the Smart notebook software installed on your computer in order to open, view and use this resource http://smarttech.com/
5-10/05 Swine Flu
PDF	Swine flu web research questions. 1 page of general swine flu questions to research and then summarise in Word. Contributed by Pam Benfold, Adult Literacy Teacher, at Cheltenham Community Centre, Victoria, Australia. Thank you Pam. 20K. L1-L2. Will be filed under General L1 Literacy and General L2 Literacy.
PDF	Swine flu literacy comprehension ideas! 1 page of quick suggestions based on Government leaflet released yesterday. 90K. E2-L1 Please contribute further ideas. Will be filed under General E2 literacy. General E3 Literacy. General L1 Literacy
03/05 Favourite downloads chart updated. Now shows statistics for April 2009. The chart is now spread over 5 pages. Positions 0-200 201-400 401-600 601-800 801-914 Please note I have a huge backlog of resources at the moment - dating back to mid October 2008. Please be patient - I will be adding new resources to the site as soon as I finish my numeracy diploma.

General Notices - April 2009
MISSING AOL RESOURCES Please read the notice listed under February 2009
PDF files: I have updated my version of Acrobat Writer (to version 9). From April 1st all new PDF files on skillsworkshop will be downwardly compatible only to Acrobat v7 (previously it was to v5). If you have trouble opening new PDF files please update your Acrobat reader to v9 free from http://get.adobe.com/uk/reader/
I have been asked by RaPAL (Research and Practice in Adult Literacy) to let you know about their upcoming annual conference - and am delighted to do so.
RaPAL Conference 2009 Research and Practice in Adult Literacy *“Sustainable Literacies”* University Of Wales, Newport Friday 26^th June and Saturday 27^th June (pre-conference event Thursday 25^th) More info on the RaPAL site	The programme will include: Dr Marion Loeffler (University of Wales Centre for Advanced Celtic Studies) on language, literacy and sustaining bilingualism in Wales Panel discussion chaired by Professor Mary Hamilton (Lancaster University) on Sustainable Literacies Workshops sharing adult literacy practice and research from across Britain and beyond Conference dinner with Celtic stories and harp music and lots more!
RaPAL is an independent network of of learners, teachers, managers and researchers in adult basic education. I highly recommend membership - which is £35 year for individual membership (£20 for students) and includes 3 journals per year. The journal is always a good read - see my various blog posts for more on this.
07/04 Favourite downloads chart updated. Now shows statistics for March 2009. The chart is now spread over 5 pages. Positions 0-200 201-400 401-600 601-800 801-907 Please note I still have a huge backlog of resources at the moment - dating back to mid October 2008. Please be patient - I will be adding new resources to the site as soon as I can.

Resources added or updated April 2009 (screenshots available here)
10/04 pre-Entry and Entry 1-2 Numeracy
PDF	The problem with money... is a selection of graduated money problems (recognising coins, counting coins, cost of multiple items, change from a £1) where the correct coins must be selected from each picture box. Contributed by Michael Garen. Thank you Michael. 3 pages. 80K MSS1/E1.1 MSS1/E2.1 MSS1/E2.2
PDF	Holiday dates is an unusual challenge where the special dates/celebrations (e.g. Diwali, St Patrick's Day, Queen's birthday, Easter, etc.) must be matched to the correct month/s of the year. With research links. Contributed by Michael Garen. Thank you Michael. 2 pages. 40K MSS1/E2.3
PDF	2D and 3D shapes gives practice in naming shapes and distinguishing between 2D and 3D objects. Contributed by Michael Garen. Thank you Michael. 1 page. 50K MSS2/E2.1 MSS2/E2.2
PDF	Big, bigger, biggest gives practice in ordering and comparing shape sizes - using big, bigger, biggest and small, smaller, smallest. Contributed by Michael Garen. Thank you Michael. 3 pages. 30K MSS1/E1.3
PDF	Number pairs to 10 is a straightforward but very useful number bond activity which requires colour pencils. Contributed by Judy Valentine, Chichester College judy.valentine@chichester.ac.uk who adapted it from an idea in ‘Working in a Garage’ by Jennifer Whitehead. N1/E1.2 N1/E1.4. Thank you Judy. 1 page. 20K Note: If you teach pre-Entry/Entry 1 literacy and numeracy Judy's blog is a must http://studentswithlearningdifficulties.blogspot.com/. It is chock a block with great links and teaching ideas and is updated several times a week.
PDF	updated (first uploaded 5/1/2007) new email address etc added Milestone 8 Number is a fabulous set of resources adapted from Entry 1 Skills for Life materials at http://www.dfes.gov.uk/readwriteplus/LearningMaterialsNumeracy Covers most N1 Milestone 8 curriculum elements. Contributed by Judy Valentine, Chichester College judy.valentine@chichester.ac.uk who created it so that E1 and M8 students in her mixed ability class had similar materials to work from. Thank you Judy. Judy stresses that this resource should not be used in isolation but alongside lots and lots of practical activities. 44 pages. 900K .N1/M8.1-M8.10 Note: If you teach pre-Entry literacy and numeracy Judy's blog is a must http://studentswithlearningdifficulties.blogspot.com/. It is chock a block with great links and teaching ideas and is updated several times a week.
06/04 preEntry-Entry 1 ICT
ZIP	Different parts of a computer - straightforward but very useful introduction to computers for preEntry and Entry 1 students. Ideal to use before playing the accompanying bingo game (see below). Contributed by Dawn Burford dawn_b@rfdc.ac.uk, Royal Forest of Dean College. Thank you Dawn. 10 screens. 150K (zipped PPT file). Filed under preEntry ICT and General Milestone 8 (preEntry) literacy resources
PDF	Parts of a computer bingo game - eight different boards. Call out the name of the part (or write on the class whiteboard for a literacy group). First to complete a line wins (use counters to cover, or laminate and cross off with a dry wipe pen). Idea to use after the accompanying PPT (see above). Contributed by Dawn Burford dawn_b@rfdc.ac.uk, Royal Forest of Dean College. Thank you Dawn. 8 pages. 500K. Filed under preEntry ICT and General Milestone 8 (preEntry) literacy resources

02/04 Favourite downloads chart update will be late this month due to the Easter break. Please be patient - it will appear before the start of the summer term.

Resources added or updated March 2009

01/03 Favourite downloads chart updated. Now shows statistics for February 2009. The chart is now spread over 5 pages. Positions 0-200 201-400 401-600 601-800 801-908

Please note I have a huge backlog of resources at the moment - dating back to mid October 2008. Please be patient - I will be adding new resources to the site as soon as I can.

Resources added or updated February 2009 (screenshots available here)
MISSING AOL RESOURCES. The notice below is a copy of the original, posted on the site in October 2008. It is repeated here because I have received more than a 100 emails about this topic - mostly from site users who did not see the original notice.
IMPORTANT info regarding pre-2005 resources. Please note that from November 1st 2008 any resource added to the site before 2005 (and not subsequently updated) will no longer be available. To view screen shots of these 'missing' resources visit 2002 additions 2003 additions and 2004 additions. Since this date only site contributors are able to request copies of such resources by emailing me direct at maggie@skillsworkshop.org, although some of the more popular resources in this category (i.e. pre 2005) will eventually be updated and put back on the site. If you have any questions do email me but I will be unable to forward old resources unless you are one of the existing 200 site contributors. If you are NOT an existing contributor you can request copies of the resources by attaching a resource of your own that you would like to share on the site (on a one-to-one exchange basis). Please note that the 860+ resources listed on the 'Top Ten' pages are not affected. If you are interested in the reasons please read on. When the site was started in 2001 I used my AOL email web space. As the site grew it was spread over three different AOL 'Hometown' addresses (this is why some older resources were located at strange web address such as members.aol.com/twittwoo!). In 2005 I purchased the skillsworkshop.org domain and moved the main site and all subsequent resources over to this url. Since then I have slowly updated and moved many of the older resources across but about 150 still remained in the old AOL web space. In September 2008 AOL announced that they were removing all their old 'AOL hometown' files from Oct 31st 08. The good news is that this has saved me some money as I had been paying a considerable sum each year (£140) just to maintain my AOL email address (which I no longer needed) and the above mentioned pre-2005 resources.

15/02 Supporters list updated and newsletter emailed to thousands of subscribers. Find out how to join the mailing list.
14/02 L1-2 Literacy
PDF	Japanese Banks - Credit Crunch! is a fun text to discuss in class. Use as focus on humour in writing, vocabulary and borrowed words, etc. Optional picture clues are provided to help students discover the meaning of eight Japanese words. Contributed by Margaret Adams uckfield@kenwardtrust.org.uk Kenward Trust / Uckfield Community College. Thank you Margaret. 2 pages. 80K. Rw/L1.2 Rw/L1.3
14/02 New links added to the Printable Resources Links page (Dollar Times free Excel budget sheets, ESL-time ESOL resources especially good for business English)
12-14/02 E3-L2 Numeracy
ZIP	Deal or No Deal is a clever way to teach mean and median, based on the popular TV game show. You can choose to play with between 1 and 22 boxes. Pick one student as the main player - the other students can be asked to calculate the mean and/or median after each round of box opening (which can then be checked by clicking onscreen boxes) and use this to decide on a suitable banker's offer. To install unzip the four files to a new folder and run index.html - there is a readme.doc file where you can find further information and teaching notes. (Note: I had to change my security settings in Internet Explorer v7 from medium-high to medium). Contributed by Richard Buck, Abingdon and Witney College. Richard.Buck@abingdon-witney.ac.uk Thank you Richard. 20K (Zip file) HD1/L2.3
PDF	Temperature and weather charts is a great way to introduce negative numbers and temperature in an everyday context. Contributed by Anne Carlill, Park Lane College. AECarlill@aol.com Thank you Anne. 3 pages. 60K. MSS1/E3.9 MSS1/L1.4 N1/L1.2
notebook	updated Addition Strategies is an interactive whiteboard guide to a very useful method of addition - complete with nifty features such as pull away screens (revealing practice questions), etc. Contributed by John Thompson, Bournemouth Adult Learning and Devon Adult and Community Learning jpd.thompson@btopenworld.com Thank you John. 5 screens page. 10K. N1/E3.2 N1/L1.3 Please note you must have the Smart notebook software installed on your computer in order to open, view and use this resource http://smarttech.com/
notebook	Subtraction Strategies is an interactive whiteboard guide to a very useful method of subtraction - complete with nifty features such as pull away screens (revealing practice questions), etc. Contributed by John Thompson, Bournemouth Adult Learning and Devon Adult and Community Learning jpd.thompson@btopenworld.com Thank you John. 5 screens page. 10K. N1/E3.2 N1/L1.3 Please note you must have the Smart notebook software installed on your computer in order to open, view and use this resource http://smarttech.com/
notebook	Multiplication Strategies is an interactive whiteboard guide that covers traditional. grid, lattice and Egyptian multiplication - complete with nifty features such as pull away screens (revealing practice questions), etc. Contributed by John Thompson, Bournemouth Adult Learning and Devon Adult and Community Learning jpd.thompson@btopenworld.com Thank you John. 8 screens page. 10K. N1/E3.4 N1/L1.3 Please note you must have the Smart notebook software installed on your computer in order to open, view and use this resource http://smarttech.com/
notebook	Division Strategies is an interactive whiteboard guide that covers tradition long and short division, and division by repeated subtraction - complete with nifty features such as pull away screens (revealing practice questions), etc. Contributed by John Thompson, Bournemouth Adult Learning and Devon Adult and Community Learning jpd.thompson@btopenworld.com Thank you John. 4 screens page. 10K. N1/E3.6 N1/L1.3 Please note you must have the Smart notebook software installed on your computer in order to open, view and use this resource http://smarttech.com/
PDF	Measures: quick reference cards provide a really useful wallet-sized reminder about metric and Imperial conversions, area., volume and perimeter. Print back to back, laminate and cut into 12 cards. Contributed by Simon Roper, Coleg Llandrillo. Thank you Simon. 2 pages. 60K Will be filed under general L1 and general L2 measures
12/02 preEntry Literacy
DOC	Drag and drop colours is a great ICT/reading activity for Milestone 8 literacy or ESOL learners. 12 colours. Contributed by Beverley Popely, Croydon College POPELB@croydon.ac.uk Thank you Beverley. 3 pages. 36K. Rw/M8.3
DOC	Drag and drop British animals is another great ICT/reading activity for Milestone 8 literacy or ESOL learners. 8 colours. Contributed by Beverley Popely, Croydon College POPELB@croydon.ac.uk Thank you Beverley. 2 pages. 177K. Rw/M8.3
09-10/02 Entry Literacy
PDF	Frank (Bullitt) is a simplified text based on the classic film Bullitt. Ideal for group or individual reading. Accompanied by a paragraph sequencing activity and comprehension questions. Great for film buffs of all ages! Contributed by Laurence Fletcher, Wolverhampton City College / Adult Education Service laurencebrc@yahoo.com Thank you Laurence. 5pages. 70K. Rt/E3.1 Rt/E3.4 Rt/E2.1
PDF	Football Fun provides instructions and extra alphabetical ordering and reading activities to accompany the 2007-08 Premiership and Championship football team cards resource (October 07). Ideal for football fans of all ages. Contributed by Heidi Griffin, Bournemouth Adult Learning. Thank you Heidi. 3 pages. 60K. Rw/E2.4 Rw/E3.4
PDF	People bingo v2 makes a great ice-breaker or warm-up activity. Students must circulate and question other class members in order to complete the bingo grid. Also makes a good lead in to sentence work. This version contributed by Marion Crocker, Abingdon and Witney College, marion.crocker@abingdon-witney.ac.uk who adapted it from the original resource from Heidi Griffin. Thank you Marion. This new version is differentiated for a slightly higher level learner group and includes sentences to be completed by the learner. 25K. 1 page. Covers many speaking & listening elements (asking & answering questions, giving personal information, etc.). General E2 S&L and General E3 S&L.
09-11/02 Entry numeracy
ZIP	Subtraction with borrowing is a straightforward PPT that takes the learner step by step through 'long subtraction'. Contributed by Dave Clapham, Park Lane College, Leeds. Thank you Dave. 11 slides. 10K (zipped PPT file). N1/E3.2 N1/E2.3
PDF	Measuring length and handling data is a fabulous 19 page booklet providing comprehensive coverage of measuring length at Entry 2 (and above) and cleverly links in with all the Entry 2 data handling elements by asking learners to record data in tables and bar charts. Includes using non-standard units, estimating and measuring height, using bar charts and tables and interpreting the results, measuring lines, investigations, frog jumping and paper aeroplane races; plus student progress tracker. Contributed by Mrs Jennifer Whitehead, Grimsby Institute of Further and Higher Education. Thank you Jennifer. 200K MSS1/E2.5 and General Entry 2 Data handling (covers HD1/E2.1-HD1/E2.5)
PDF	Days, months, seasons, dates and calendars is a 14 page booklet providing comprehensive coverage for E1-E3. Includes card matches for sequencing, sorting and matching; six different calendars with questions, and two 'dates' activities. Contributed by Mrs Jennifer Whitehead, Grimsby Institute of Further and Higher Education. Thank you Jennifer. 200K MSS1/E1.2 MSS1/E2.3 MSS1/E3.3
PDF	E2 addition and subtraction is a 12 page booklet that covers mental maths tips (how to use a number line for add/sub) with lots of examples and practice sheets, plus number snakes, making sums, function machine and more. 12 pages. Contributed by Mrs Jennifer Whitehead, Grimsby Institute of Further and Higher Education. Thank you Jennifer. 12 pages. 110K N1/E2.3 N1/E2.4
PDF	E2 place value is a scheme of work and progress sheet accompanied by many resources including: tallies, counting to 100, odd and even numbers, number bonds, adding on ten, ideas for card games and links to web based games. 17 pages. Contributed by Mrs Jennifer Whitehead, Grimsby Institute of Further and Higher Education. Thank you Jennifer. 17 pages. 140K. N1/E2.1 N1/E2.2 N1/E2.4
09/02 Reading and writing numbers
PDF	Writing numbers is a 26 page booklet that thoroughly covers reading and writing numbers as words. The repetition and variety of practice methods (handwriting; matching; look, say, cover, write, check; word searches, etc.) provide ideal practice for preEntry and higher level dyslexic learners in both literacy and numeracy classes. Contributed by Mrs Jennifer Whitehead, Grimsby Institute of Further and Higher Education. Thank you Jennifer. 320K Rw/M8.3 Rw/E1.1 N1/E1.2
09/02 Favourite downloads chart updated. Now shows statistics for January 2009. The chart is spread over 5 pages. Positions 0-200 201-400 401-600 601-800 801-889

Resources added or updated January 2009

18/01 Favourite downloads chart updated. Now shows statistics for December 2008. The chart is now spread over 5 pages. Positions 0-200 201-400 401-600 601-800 801-889 Apologies for the delay in updating this chart.

Please note I have a huge backlog of resources at the moment - dating back to early October 2008. Please be patient - I will be adding new resources to the site as soon as I can.

Resources added or updated December 2009 (screenshots available here)
14/12 Homophones
PDF	To-too provides information, tips and two sets of fun, illustrated exercises (would be good displayed on an interactive whiteboard) on these common confusables. Contributed by Colleen Craggs, Hartlepool Adult Education Service colleen.craggs@ntlworld.com Thank you Colleen. 5 pages. 100K. Ww/L1.1
PDF	There-their-they're hands on activities inc, bingo game and cloze exercises - providing good group or individual practice with these common confusables. Contributed by Colleen Craggs, Hartlepool Adult Education Service colleen.craggs@ntlworld.com Thank you Colleen. 4 pages. 30K. Ww/L1.1
13/12 ICT
PDF	Step Up to Word is a wonderfully detailed plan for 3 x 2 hours sessions for computer beginners. It is also mapped to the literacy curriculum - making it ideal for embedded learning and Entry Functional ICT. Includes scheme of work, session plans, feedback/evaluation forms and 7 resource sheets. ICT covers creating, opening, printing a document; formatting, printing, copying, proof reading. Mapped to Entry 2 and 3 speaking & listening, writing (including several exercises on conjunctions and compound sentences). Contributed by Jan Hayto, Essential Skill Support Unit, Fareham, Hants janhayto@essu.org Thank you Jan. 20 pages. 120K. Ws/E2.1 ICT resources - Entry 3
PDF puzzleA puzzleB	How to use Hot Potatoes to make a crossword - is an ideal embedded literacy exercise for ICT classes (or embedded ICT for literacy!) with step by step illustrated help for using this popular freeware program to create web based word puzzles. Contributed by Karen Bruin who has also kindly provided two sample crosswords to show learners the type of puzzle they can quickly produce. Puzzle A is on parts of speech, puzzle B is on punctuation marks. Thank you Karen. 3 pages. 250K. ICT resources - general
10/12 New Comment on the comments page. Thank you Elizabeth. Please note if you have feedback for a contributor and his or her email is not on the resource (some contributors prefer not to include this information) comments can always be mailed to maggie@skillsworkshop.org and I will pass them on. You can also post comments on the Blog. Thank you
03-13/12 Seasonal numeracy
PDF	12 days of Christmas starter provides a seasonal introduction to substitution and order of operations. Contributed by Heather Harrop, City of Sunderland College heather.harrop@Citysun.ac.uk Thank you Heather. 3 pages. 90K. N1/L1.11 N1/L2.4 topical resources
PDF	45 Christmas Maths Questions is wonderful set of questions aimed at E3-L1 (with some questions slightly lower/higher). There is a good mix of straightforward maths and light-hearted Christmas problem solving - making this ideal for underpinning Functional Maths. Topics include whole numbers, fractions, data (tallies, averages), money and measures. Contributed by Carrie Bray, Northampton College. Thank you Carrie. 8 pages. 150K. Filed under seasonal E3 number, seasonal L1 number, seasonal data handling, seasonal measures and topical resources
PDF	20 Questions for Christmas - literacy and numeracy questions all based on the word CHRISTMAS (can easily be adapted for other seasonal festivals such a Diwali, New Year's Eve or Ramadan). Covers vowels, consonants, number, ratios, simple substitution, range, mode and more! Ideal for mixed ability groups (E1-L2). Also provides very good practice in reading instructions carefully. Contributed by Tony Jenkins, Newscastle-under-Lyme College Thank you Tony. 4 pages. 60K. Filed under general E1 number, general E2 number, seasonal E3 number, seasonal L1 number, seasonal data handling and topical resources
PDF	12 days of Christmas is a lovely seasonal problem solving task with extension questions (number, measures, money) based on the total number of gifts delivered over the 12 day period! Ideal for mixed ability groups (E2-L1). Contributed by Tony Jenkins, Newscastle-under-Lyme College Thank you Tony. 4 pages. 60K. Filed under general E2 number, seasonal E3 number, seasonal L1 number, seasonal measures and topical resources
PDF	Santa's problems Christmas card/quiz is a light-hearted one page quiz (number problems suitable for E2-L1) that could also be given to students as a Christmas card. Contributed by John Thompson, Devon Adult and Community Learning jpd.thompson@btopenworld.com Thank you John. 1 page. 50K. Filed under general E2 number, seasonal E3 number, seasonal L1 number and topical resources
07-10/12 Seasonal literacy
ZIP	Silent Night is great for sentence and word level reading for Milestone 8- Entry 1 ESOL and Literacy learners. Please note the words are taken from 'Songs of Fellowship'. From Laurence Fletcher, Wolverhampton City College / Adult Education Service. laurencebrc@yahoo.com Thank you Laurence. Zipped PowerPoint file. 11 screens. 120K Rw/M8.3 Rs/M8.1 Rs/E1.1 Rw/E1.1 ESOL: Rs/E1.1a Rw/E1.1a and topical resources
PDF	Christmas Star template was designed to accompany Sarah Horsley's "How to Make a Christmas Star" resource (below) and makes the folding and cutting process easier - ideal when using Sarah's resource in a family learning situation. Contributed by Bryan Fitzpatrick bryan.fitzpatrick@abingdon-witney.ac.uk Abingdon and Witney College. Thank you Bryan. 1 page. 20K filed under topical resources and seasonal measures.
PDF	Xmas literacy quizzes two quick quizzes (one is a simplified version) that are ideal for mixed ability classes. The emphasis is on grammar, punctuation and spelling, and the questions cover everything from syllables to apostrophes. From Susan Douglas-Davis susandoug7@hotmail.com Adult Community Learning, Basildon. Thank you Susan. 4 pages. 110K. General E1 literacy, general E2 literacy, general E3 literacy, general L1 literacy, general L2 literacy and topical resources
ZIP	Jingle Bells is great for sentence and word level reading for Milestone 8- Entry 1 ESOL and Literacy learners. From Laurence Fletcher, Wolverhampton City College / Adult Education Service. laurencebrc@yahoo.com Thank you Laurence. Zipped PowerPoint file. 26 screens. 250K Rw/M8.3 Rs/M8.1 Rs/E1.1 Rw/E1.1 ESOL: Rs/E1.1a Rw/E1.1a and topical resources
03-06/12 Numeracy warm-ups
ZIP	Think of a number is a great way to start a class - provides mental maths practice for E2-E3 but also suitable for higher level learners who can try it out with with large numbers and discuss how it works! Contributed by Fiona Campbell, City of Bristol College fiona.campbell@cityofbristol.ac.uk Thank you Fiona. 15 screens. 110K Zipped PPT file. N1/E2.3 N1/E2.4 N1/E3.3
09/12 Employment skills
PDF	Employment skills. Two task sheets. The first, 'My Budget', encourages learners to compare their current budget with what it could be if they were in employment. The second was used on an ASDAN Unit 3 business planning course and encourages discussion about the costs of self-employment. Contributed by Andrew Case, Intraining Group. Andrew.Case@intraining.co.uk Thank you Andrew. 4 pages. 20K. Suitable for underpinning Functional Maths (E3 upwards). Filed under contextualised resources - employment
07/12 Supporters list updated and newsletter emailed to thousands of subscribers. Find out how to join the mailing list.
	Extra ideas for using John Thompson's (Wigan and Leigh College) web research 'Do you have a favourite...?' resource in Functional ICT lessons can be found on the Quick Teaching ideas page. Thanks to Heidi Griffin, Bournemouth Adult Learning, for sending in this feedback.
02/112 Favourite downloads chart updated. Now shows statistics for November 2009. The chart is spread over 6 pages. Positions 0-200 201-400 401-600 601-800 801-1000 1001-1111