FM Context free underpinning

A resource that focuses on explaining or assessing underpinning skills using no or very little context. (I.e. using only numbers, symbols and/or basic diagrams).  This could include worksheets, explanatory handouts or presentations, and reference sheets.

 

Name each 2D shape and describe its properties. 
For each of the 8 common shapes, the learner is prompted to answer these questions: 

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Maths
FM Context free underpinning
FM E1.9 Identify & recognise common 2-D & 3-D shapes inc. circle, cube, rectangle (inc. square) & triangle
FM E2.19 Recognise & name 2-D & 3-D shapes including pentagons, hexagons, cylinders, cuboids, pyramids, spheres
FM E2.20 Describe properties of common 2-D & 3-D shapes including nos. of sides, corners, edges, faces, angles & base
FM E3.19 Sort 2-D & 3-D shapes using properties including lines of symmetry, length, right angles, angles inc. in rectangles & triangles

Functional Skills level 1. Revision booklet for area and perimeter. Covers rectangles and compound shapes made up of rectangles.

Editor's note

A very useful set of questions with guidance. Lots of underpinning practice is followed by problem solving. Ideal for non-calculator work. Note there is no answer sheet.

 

Level
Level 1
Maths
FM L1.22 Calculate area & perimeter of simple shapes inc. those made up of combination of rectangles
FM Context free underpinning
FM Straightforward problem(s) with more than 1 step

Covers all reformed Functional Skills  content descriptors relating to position and direction (from E1 to L1). Written with mixed-level classes in mind. Positional vocabulary; cardinal and intercardinal compass points; turns (e.g. quarter turns) and bearings are all covered in this set of graduated HS2 (high speed railway) themed problems. Problems are interspersed with context-free underpinning questions, examples and tips.

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Maths
FM Context free underpinning
FM Simple one step problem(s)
FM Straightforward problem(s) with more than 1 step
FM E1.10 Use everyday positional vocabulary to describe position & direction including left, right, in front, behind, under & above
FM E2.21 Use appropriate positional vocabulary to describe position & direction including between, inside, outside, middle, below, on top, forwards & backwards
FM E3.20 Use appropriate positional vocabulary to describe position & direction inc.luding eight compass points and including full/half/quarter turns
FM L1.26 Use angles when describing position & direction, & measure angles in degrees
Context
Leisure, Hobbies, Travel & Tourism
Motor vehicles & Transport

11.50 28.1.20 - file updated. (Minor typo page 4, missing 'camel' key  page 7)

Detailed revision guide for Reformed Functional Maths. Split into sections Number, Measures Shape and Space, Handling Data
Table format with topic on left-hand side and an example on the right.

Editor's note

Really useful guide covering almost every Level 1 content criterion. Written for Edexcel-Pearson candidates but suitable for all.

Level
Level 1
Maths
FM Context free underpinning
Functional Maths

Large set of questions inspired by the recent (2019) 75th anniversary of the D Day Landings.  Covers many aspects of the Reformed FS 2018 content such as bearings, nets, underpinning questions and non-calculator tasks.

Editor's notes

Level
Level 1
Level 2
Maths
FM Context free underpinning
FM Straightforward problem(s) with more than 1 step
FM L1.1 Read, write, order & compare large numbers (up to one million)
FM L1.15 Estimate answers to calculations using fractions and decimals
FM L2.2 Carry out calculations with numbers up to 1 million inc. strategies to check answers e.g. estimation & approximation
FM L1.14 Calculate percentages of quantities, inc. simple percentage increase / decrease by 5% & multiples of
FM L2.8 Express one number as a fraction of another
FM L1.19 Calculate discounts in multiples of 5% on amounts of money
FM L1.20 Convert between units of length, weight, capacity, money and time, in the same system
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
FM L1.24 Draw 2-D shapes & demonstrate an understanding of line symmetry & knowledge of the relative size of angles
FM L1.26 Use angles when describing position & direction, & measure angles in degrees
FM L1.25 Interpret plans, elevations & nets of simple 3-D shapes
FM L1.27 Represent discrete data in tables, diagrams & charts inc. pie charts, bar charts, line graphs
Context
History, culture, museums, libraries
Employment skills & Public services

This is a resource I've designed to be a homework/classwork support for L1 Functional Skills maths (reform).

Editor's notes

A wonderful 104-page compilation of resources covering almost every aspect of Level 1 Reformed Functional Maths. With curriculum mapping and links to further resources. Note this project includes resources from many excellent free web sites - please read the notes on the front cover sheet and page 104 for further information. 

Level
Level 1
Maths
FM Context free underpinning
FM Contextualised underpinning
Functional Maths - problem solving
Functional Maths - numbers and the number system
Functional Maths - measures, shape & space
Functional Maths - handling information and data
Context
Leisure, Hobbies, Travel & Tourism

Whilst I designed this resource for Adult Numeracy learners, it has found much use over the years across the maths cohorts I've worked with from pre-GCSE to ESOL, and with GCSE learners.

It is in Excel format - 3 tabs for different activities and the second Excel file is the solution sheet.

The sheets are formatted to print off as A4 landscape to allow learners to have their own copies to work on.

This has always worked well as a starter activity with learners in small groups (or teams) and having a competitive edge.

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
Maths
FM Context free underpinning
FM E3.14 Use & compare measures of length, capacity, weight & temperature using metric or imperial units to the nearest labelled or unlabelled division
FM L1.20 Convert between units of length, weight, capacity, money and time, in the same system
FM L2.14 Convert between metric & imperial units of length, weight & capacity using a) a conversion factor & b) a conversion graph
GCSE G14 (use units of measure)
AN Length weight capacity temperature scales

This is an adaptation of the excellent http://www.math-aids.com/Multiplication/Times_Tables_Target_Circles.html where learners have to do division and multiplication to complete a ‘target’. The advantage with this file is that it works offline, so you can print table activities, starters or extension activities ready for the class.

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Maths
FM Context free underpinning
FM E2.6 Times tables 0x0 to 12x12
FM E2.8 Divide 2-digit numbers by 1-digit numbers, express remainders
FM E3.4 Multiply 2-digit numbers by 1- & 2-digit numbers
FM L1.4 Use multiplication facts and make connections with division facts

This is a MS Excel resource that is designed to be a useful resource for producing sheets for starter activities or homework. This also provides a tutor marking sheet. The sheet can be used to differentiate by choosing larger or smaller numbers, and can be addition or subtraction.

Editor’s note
Creates printable sheets of 20 problems (plus answer sheets). Clever and useful!

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Maths
FM Context free underpinning
FM E1.3 Add numbers which total up to 20, & subtract numbers from numbers up to 20
FM E2.5 Add & subtract 2-digit numbers
FM E3.2 Add & subtract 3-digit whole numbers
AN N1/L1.3
AN N1/E3.2
AN N1/E2.3
AN N1/E1.5
AN N1/E1.4

This is an Excel file with a basic odd/even activity. I took inspiration from Jean Thomas’ “Reveal the hidden shapes!” activity from 2005.

With this activity, the tutor can design a picture (or one learner can design a picture for another learner) and it produces a printable sheet. The learner then shades all the odd numbers on the sheet in one colour, and all the even numbers in a different colour – revealing a picture or a message.

There are no macros, so cross-compatibility with Excel shouldn’t be a problem.

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Maths
FM Context free underpinning
FM E2.3 Recognise & sequence odd & even numbers up to 100
AN N1/E3.1 place value <1000, odd / even, count in 10s /100s
AN N1/E2.2 Read, write, order & compare numbers to 100; odd even nos.
AN N1/E2.1 Count reliably to 100, count on in 2s and 10s