Warm-up

Any resource that is particularly good for the start of a lesson

A 16 piece triangular jigsaw puzzle where pairs or small groups of learners must match the correct parts to create compound words. Use as a warm up or plenary activity. Guaranteed to create promote discussion as learners solve puzzle (which should be printed and laminated).

Level
Entry Level 3
English
Rw/E3.5
AL Ww/E3.1 Spell common words

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

A 24 piece jigsaw where pairs or small groups of learners must correctly match synonyms on triangular pieces in order to complete the hexagonal puzzle. Makes a great ice breaker or starter activity for pairs or small groups. Although synonyms are only covered at level 2 of the SfL curriculum this puzzle is also great for improving the vocabulary of E3-L1 learners.

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
AL Rw/L2.3 Vocabulary (language features, synonyms, formality)

An original and thought provoking 24 piece hexagonal jigsaw puzzle where pairs or small groups of learners must match examples of text (e.g. novel, board game rules, bus timetable) to their main purpose (e.g. descriptive, instructional, informative, persuasive). Use for revision or as an ice breaker or starter activity. Guaranteed to create promote discussion as learners solve puzzle.

Level
Level 1
English
Rt/L1.2

Halloween ratios for topical practice (makes a great starter activity) plus a free Halloween cakes recipe!

Level
Level 2
Level 1
Maths
AN N1/L2.3
AN N1/L1.7
Context
Catering Food Nutrition

Times tables jigsaws are two 24 piece jigsaw puzzles with triangular pieces for learners to match up. Use for revision or as a warm-up activity. Covers tables from x1 to x12. two versions available – each with different questions.

All Tarsia jigsaws can also be printed out as flashcards / dominoes.
You will need Tarsia Formulator in order to use this resource. See our Good Software – Tarsia Formulator entry for more information about this excellent free educational tool from Hermitech.

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

Equivalent fractions, decimals and percentages hexagonal jigsaw is a 24 piece jigsaw puzzle with triangular pieces for learners to match up. Use for revision or as a warm-up activity.

All Tarsia jigsaws can also be printed out as flashcards / dominoes.
You will need Tarsia Formulator in order to use this resource. See our Good Software – Tarsia Formulator entry for more information about this excellent free educational tool from Hermitech.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
Maths
Adult Numeracy N2/L1.3
Adult Numeracy N2/L2.2

Equivalent fractions – mixed numbers jigsaw is a 16 piece square jigsaw puzzle for learners to match up various numbers of halves and quarters to their equivalents. Use for revision or as a warm-up activity.

All Tarsia jigsaws can also be printed out as flashcards / dominoes.
You will need Tarsia Formulator in order to use this resource. See our Good Software – Tarsia Formulator entry for more information about this excellent free educational tool from Hermitech.

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
Maths
N2/E3.2
N2/L1.1
N2/L2.4

A 16 piece triangular jigsaw puzzle for learners to match up questions on fractions of money, measures (and pizza!) to the correct answers. Use for revision or as a warm-up activity.

All Tarsia jigsaws can also be printed out as flashcards / dominoes.
See our Good Software – Tarsia Formulator entry for more information about this excellent free educational tool from Hermitech.

Level
Level 1
Maths
Fractions
N2/L1.2

Aim Higher makes a great starter activity. Covers mental maths and written maths with the four operations and can be extended to cover BIDMAS (order of operations). Needs standard dice and dice (or cards) with mathematical symbols (see our useful links page for a good supplier of mathematical dice). Designed by Anne Pender, Diana Hookway and Louise Rowell (Level 2 learners at Abingdon & Witney College) and Sarah Richards (who provided the dice!)

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Maths
N1/E3.5
N1/E3.3
N1/L1.5
N1/L1.6