Adult Numeracy, Functional Maths, and GCSE Resources

A scaffolded investigation created for my Level 1 numeracy group but ideal for, and fully mapped to, L1-2 Functional maths.
Part 1 involves reading a description of a room and drawing simple scale diagrams (a grid is provided) before pricing up a carpet from a discount company.
Part 2 is more complex: calculate the length of skirting board, wallpaper, paint, dado rail and door framing required.

Powerpoint presentation introducing area, perimeter and volume for L1-L2 Functional Skills (maths) learners. Covers rectangles, compound shapes and circles.

An original and very functional volume / area / converting measures task conceived during the heavy snows of winter 2010/11. It gives a new slant to snow clearing and could easily be adapted to different areas of driveways, paths, etc. Fully mapped to Functional Maths and adult numeracy.

Here is another Level 1-2 variant on the classic ‘Smarties’ investigation which incorporates the use of a PC and Excel. I stopped using Smarties and Skittles because of the health and hygiene issues.

Lovely introduction to perimeter, area and volume. The learner can move squares and 3D blocks around to see how area and volume relate to physical squares / cubes.

Please note you must have the ActivInspire interactive whiteboard software installed on your computer in order to open, view and use the flipchart resource.
A free personal edition is available for download at http://support.prometheanplanet.com/

Beautifully clear worksheet to be used in conjunction with John Thomson’s “percentage worker-outer” (see below). It is staggered to build up skills slowly – making it particularly good for the less confident learner who needs lots of practice.

This worked well as a bit of revision on measuring for a mixed class E2-L2. Also makes a good warm-up activity.
I’ve used different colours for easier and harder answers, so you can differentiate when you give the cards out (blue ones are supposed to be a bit easier, red ones a bit harder, and purple in between).

I worked with a plumbing tutor at Wiltshire College to write the attached task for a group of apprentice plumbers. The group enjoyed working on this. I was inspired to produce this after reading and using the Air Conditioner task contributed by Leia Fee (see below).

[img_assist|nid=4809|title=|desc=|link=popup|align=left|width=100|height=76]Useful set of two resources.
1) A Smart notebook file that introduces the topic, provides practice questions and finishes with a room decorating project and a self-assessment check.
Please note you must have the Smart notebook software installed on your computer in order to open, view and use this resource http://smarttech.com/
2) PowerPoint scale diagram multiple choice quiz (5 questions) makes a good final activity or use later for revision.

Great for Functional Maths and/or employability classes, this set of resources explore the different levels of the minimum wage. A PPT introduces the topic and demonstrates how to solve some sample problems about the wages bill of a sandwich shop with 4 employees aged between 16 and 35. (Adding up and multiplying money).
The accompanying worksheet provides further practice and consolidation and includes extension questions.