Adult Numeracy, Functional Maths, and GCSE Resources

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.

Functional skills maths.
Extract information from mileage and distance (network) diagrams. Complete a mileage chart.
Editor’s note
With worked solutions, pop up help and a final challenge question.
Ideal as an introduction or for revision.

A set of Formula 1 scenarios based on the four rules of mathematics and using formulae expressed in words and/or numbers. This resource tests students’ ability to use formulae to solve problems based on a motor racing car travelling on a race track. Some of the scenarios test the students ability to convert units to get a sensible answer. I encourage my students to estimate the answers before attempting for real! Some do, some don’t …

This resource uses several tables of data and requires the user to complete calculations based on the data such as mean, median, mode and range as well as percentages and rounding. There is also a task where the learner must create a chart based on a table of data.

Editor’s note
There is something for everyone in this robust resource as it’s split into three sections: weather, Premier League and Glastonbury Festival. With answers and curriculum mapping.

21 interesting (and challenging!) questions for practice with converting between metric and imperial measurements. Question pages can be divided amongst the class and then answers can be shared. Extension ideas could include measuring learners’ feet/ height and comparing them to the records.

Editor’s note
Also provides practice with rounding decimals to a sensible number of decimal places.
The answer sheet, which includes detailed working out, is only available to site contributors. Please see details within the resource.

A nice way to check learning of probability at the end of a session.

A game for 2 players to help with multiplying decimals with or without a calculator.
Learners take turns to choose 2 numbers to multiply, then cover up the answer on the grid. This continues until a player has 4 counters/initials in a row(diagonally, horizontally or vertically).
Prompts can be used for learners to pick a target answer and to try to work out which 2 decimals are going to give that answer.
Editor’s note
Laminate for re-use. A great game.

A differentiated resource to recap many number & measure skills and to help learners with the skills needed when looking for or applying for a job.

There are 6 questions in both the L1 and L2 version – working out weekly pay, annual salary, tax payable, comparing pay to JSA (Job Seeker’s Allowance), reading/completing a bus timetable and correcting a job acceptance letter (L1 Functional English proof reading).

A range of questions that I have designed for my Functional Skills Maths learners.The focus is on the four operations (+ – x ÷) with wide coverage of measures and money.

There are two sets of similar, but differentiated, questions so that learners at both both levels can complete them in the same lesson. Each set of questions cover several themes (dog show and music festival) followed by a set of mixed questions and a final page of stretch and challenge tasks.

Editor’s note
With curriculum mapping.
No answer sheet.

Although many learners find patterns and sequences (including odd & even numbers) straightforward, there is a sizeable proportion that really struggle – particularly those with dyslexia and/or dyscalculia.

This resource grew from my frustration at the lack of practice material available for this topic at Entry Levels 2 and 3 in my one to one support sessions. There is generally only one question on this topic per FS assessment, and I found it difficult to come up with real life functional problems off the top of my head.