Hands-on / practical activity

Cooking , contructing, measuring and other kinaesthetic activities.

Two differentiated functional English tasks that involves a number of reading and writing skills (with a bit of maths thrown in!). Learners can personalise this by using names of their own friends and family. For both versions you will need copies of the current Argos book or access to the web site.

Entry 2 version includes: using a catalogue or web site, writing a list & a gift tag, budgeting, writing a note. You will need one gift tag per learner.

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 1
English
Functional English - writing
Functional English reading
General literacy / English
Context
Independent living

A recap game to practise applying knowledge of when to use capital letters. Learners supply names, dates, places and objects to create a mis-matched story.

It could also be used as an icebreaker.

Level
Entry Level 3
Entry Level 2
English
Functional English - writing
Ws/E3.4
Ws/E2.4

Measures, shape and space activity suitable for Entry 1 learners.

Editor’s note
Used with a gingerbread house bought in Aldi (Christmas 2012) but similar houses are available in other stores.

Level
M8
Entry Level 1
Maths
MSS2/E1.1
Functional Maths - measures, shape & space
Pre-entry
pre-Entry N1/M8.6 Relate numbers to collections of objects reliably to five, & with support to 10
pre-Entry MSS1/M8.3 Describe and compare the lengths or heights of two items
pre-Entry N1/M8.3 Count reliably up to 5 items, & with inconsistencies, up to 10 items

This is a good starter activity to introduce measures, shape and space. It is also useful in dividing classes into small groups.

Using the templates I created I printed them on to card of different colours. I gave the shapes to the learners as they entered the room and told them to find the table with the same shape on it. When they reached the table they found the shape and some questions to answer.

After five minutes I asked for feedback from the learners.

Editor’s note
With Functional Maths mapping

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
Maths
MSS1/L2.8
MSS2/E3.1
MSS1/L2.7
MSS1/L1.9
MSS1/L1.8
MSS2/E3.2
Functional Maths - measures, shape & space

I made this resource to check prior learning of a group I took over from another lecturer. It could work well for assessment, revision or as an extension task.

Editor’s note
Major update May 21. NEW answer sheet is also now available (contributors only) with detailed curriculum mapping for Reformed Functional Maths - visit our ANSWER SHEETS page for more information.

Level
Level 1
Maths
FM Contextualised underpinning
FM L1.22 Calculate area & perimeter of simple shapes inc. those made up of combination of rectangles
FM L1.23 Calculate the volumes of cubes & cuboids
Area
Perimeter
Volume

Some games to play with literacy or Functional English groups for revision.
Ideal for Entry 3-Level 2

Editor’s note
The students make the games, play them and then discuss them. A great combination!

Level
Level 2
Level 1
Entry Level 3
English
General literacy / English
Functional Skills English
ESOL
General ESOL

Functional Skills maths across several levels.
A practical exercise involving estimation (of weight), weighing items and calculating range and mean.

Editor’s note
With detailed Functional Maths mapping

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Maths
MSS1/L1.4
MSS1/E3.8
MSS1/E3.6
MSS1/E3.5
MSS1/E2.10
MSS1/E2.9
MSS1/E2.6
HD1/L1.4
MSS1/E2.5
HD1/L1.3
Functional Maths - measures, shape & space

Hands-on extension tasks for various Skillsworkshop cocktail and smoothie resources. (Original resources can be found under “see also” below).

Level
Level 2
Level 1
Maths
AN N1/L2.3
AN N1/L1.7
Functional Maths - numbers and the number system
Context
Retail Hospitality Customer service
Catering Food Nutrition

A recap exercise where Functional English learners match the correct aspects of formal letter writing together and lay them out in letter format.

This could be printed out and laminated but I usually give my students a printout of the first pages and they cut out the text boxes and arrange them appropriately. I have included some red herrings such as incorrect text alignment and unsuitable salutations and closures.

I have included my suggestion of the correct layout on the third page.

Level
Level 2
Level 1
English
Functional English - writing
Functional English reading
General literacy / English
ICT
Functional Skills ICT: Developing, presenting and communicating information
Context
Retail Hospitality Customer service

[img_assist|nid=5329|title=|desc=|link=popup|align=left|width=100|height=70]A set of differentiated tasks for construction students. I used the E3-L1 task with my Entry to L1 group and then the more challenging task with my L1-L2 students.

The use of measure is aways useful for my students as it is something they need to practise constantly given their vocational areas. The lesson was enjoyed by all, especially the hands-on measuring task prompted lots of fun and discussion. Encourage students to get others to check their measurements and validate their results.

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
Maths
HD1/L2.4
HD1/E3.1
HD1/L2.3
HD1/L1.4
HD1/L1.3
Functional Maths - handling information and data
Functional Maths
Context
Painting Decorating & DIY
Construction Carpentry Plumbing