Adult Literacy, Functional English, and GCSE Resources

This is an adapted and expanded version of Jodie Travis’ ‘Hired or Fired’ resource which is of course based on the popular TV show “The apprentice”. I used Jodie’s resource last year with a really big group, getting them to create a poster to ‘sell’ Manchester. I added some more ‘Apprenticey’ bits in, such as getting them to pitch their ideas at the front of the class after they’d made the posters, and it worked really well.

A substantial set of resources for BTEC Sport students. Based on a Functional English lesson given on Sport Relief day (but suitable for any time of year as it is based on the Back Up charity for spinal cord injuries – not Sport Relief). Includes

Originally used pre-2010-election in a mixed ability (E1-L2) group but also makes an excellent Functional English resource at any time.
Detailed 2.5 hour lesson plan includes discussion, mini-presentations, web research and paired writing. Includes internet research guidance sheets, scaffolded gap-fill sheet to help with the web research task and a sample MP information sheet. Ideal for (and fully mapped to) E3-L2 Functional English.

A wonderfully detailed plan for 3 × 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, and writing (including several exercises on conjunctions and compound sentences).

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. An example job description is included.
The second is entitled ‘Lone Parent Progressions – how to look for work’ but is again suitable for anyone looking for work.

Looking at Newspapers is a wonderful example of creative differentiated teaching across all levels (E1-L2). A detailed lesson description, 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.

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.

Fantasy job lesson plan is a step by step detailed plan based on Jane Harbord’s popular Fantasy Job Project resource submitted in 2008 (see below). Gets students looking at job adverts and discussing what is required by employers. Great for general literacy classes or employment skills groups.

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.

A great 2.5 hr differentiated lesson plan complete with resources including ordering and matching worksheets and cards, simple spelling sheet, healthy eating chart (please download the accompanying Excel file – see below). The main topic is making an omelette and the lesson includes sequencing, letters, word recognition and building, and simple sentences. You will also need food leaflets from supermarkets, plastic or wooden letters and a tape recorder.