Mental maths

A resource that focuses on mental math skills or instant recall of facts such as times tables.

The percentage worker-outer

The percentage worker-outer is a brilliant step by step guide to working out any percentage – no calculator or lengthy written methods needed. With examples, practice questions and extra blank ‘worker-outers’.

Level
Level 1
Maths
Mental maths
AN N2/L1.9 Find simple percentage parts of quantities and measurements

Mental Maths quiz

A great warm-up or starter activity – covers many aspects of the numeracy curriculum (E3 upwards) plus general knowledge. Originally written when the author was bemused to find that many people did not know how many weeks there are in a year!

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
Maths
General numeracy / maths
Mental maths

Times tables tips

A brilliant interactive PPT full of really workable tips and hints.

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Maths
Mental maths
N1/E3.5
N1/L1.5

THOAN

THOAN (think of a number) makes a great starter and can be adapted for all levels.

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
Maths
Mental maths
AN N1/L1.3
N1/E1.7
N1/L2.1
N1/E2.7
N1/E3.9

Times tables matching cards

Times tables matching cards. All the tables from 2 to 10 ( 9 sets of 22 cards) for individual, paired or small group work. With teaching ideas.

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Maths
Mental maths
N1/E2.5
N1/E3.5
N1/L1.5

Think of a number (version 1)

Mental maths starter (doubling, halving, addition and subtraction) that can also be used as a gentle introduction to substitution.

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 2
Maths
Mental maths
N1/E2.5
N1/E3.3
AN N1/L1.11
AN N1/L2.4

Mental addition strategies (compensation) and problems for E2

Major update Use compensation strategies to speed up mental addition when adding on numbers such as 19 or  39. A step by step work sheet: the pre-skills check is followed by more than 60 questions (including 'Stretch' tasks). Concludes with two new pages of Functional Skills exam style problems that can be used independently of pages 1-3. Exam style questions are based on a bike shop and a children's nursery.

Level
Entry Level 2
Maths
Mental maths
FM Context free underpinning
FM Simple one step problem(s)
FM E2.5 Add & subtract 2-digit numbers
FM E2.4 Recognise & interpret the symbols +, – , x, ÷ and = appropriately
Context
Retail Hospitality Customer service
Health, Social care, Early years

Mental addition strategies (reordering) and problems for E1-E2

03/02/22 09:30 updated (image depicting "no calculator" was not displaying properly on some devices, now replaced with new image)
25/1/22 09:24 updated for minor corrections ('Mel' replaced with 'Chris' in second occurrence in Q1b page 3 and curriculum mapping corrected in Q3b page 4). In addition, an answer and detailed mapping sheet is now available to contributors.

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Maths
Mental maths
FM Context free underpinning
FM Simple one step problem(s)
FM E1.1 Read, write, order, compare numbers to 20
FM E1.3 Add numbers which total up to 20, & subtract numbers from numbers up to 20
FM E1.4 Recognise & interpret the symbols +, – and = appropriately
FM E2.2 Read, write, order & compare numbers up to 200
FM E2.5 Add & subtract 2-digit numbers
Context
Leisure, Hobbies, Travel & Tourism
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