Adult Numeracy, Functional Maths, and GCSE Resources

Great set of three differentiated Functional Maths task sheets for E1, E2 and E3. Originally written for ESOL Numeracy groups but suitable for all Entry Maths learners. The picture shows part of the E3 version.

All tasks are based on office equipment (pencils, hole punches, staplers, etc.). The focus is on number skills (counting, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, rounding, simple fractions) but there is also a sprinkling of data handling and measure/money skills.

Fully mapped to Functional Maths criteria.

Students design a board game to demonstrate their learning. This can incorporate IT skills (Word template provided below) or can be done with paper, card and pens.

I originally did this with an E2E group and it proved popular. It’s an alternative to the “design a poster” task to review learning. The instructions are set out as a board game. it can be used for literacy, numeracy, ICT or ESOL.

A functional skills activity based on production at microbrewery. Mostly covers measures and percentages. Includes a challenging extension section on calculating excise duty.

Editor’s note
Fully mapped to L1-2 Functional maths. Sorry have no time to create an answer sheet – volunteers welcome!
If your learners are E3-L1 try the equally good “Out for a drink” by the same author.

This resource has been designed using ideas in the popular Celebrity BMI resource (From Janet Wilkins – see below) already available on Skillsworkshop but adapted to suit the needs of Entry/ Level 1 learners.

An animated PowerPoint presentation (86 slides) that covers several topics: Fractions & Percentages;Units of Measure; Charts & Graphs; Ratio, Scale & Proportion; Perimeter, Area & Volume; Averages and Range. There are also some links for a planned inclusion of other topics at a later date (Time & Money, Tables and Formulae).

This presentation can be used in class, driven by the teacher, but it is also ideal as a guide for self-study.

Not really suitable for handouts, as there are many animated sequences that would overlap on the printed page.

A Functional Maths activity based on a group of friends going out for a drink together. The main focus of the activity is on money and time calculations, but there are other elements included for variety.

Editor’s note
Fully mapped to Functional Maths and Adult Numeracy, with answer sheet.
Based on a text about a micro-brewery that also provides reading practice for E3 Functional Englsh.i

Page 1: 8 maths questions relating to olympic torch
Page 2: Picture quiz: who is carrying the torch?
Page 3: Picture quiz: famous UK landmarks.
Page 4: UK cities – anagrams
Page 5: Answers

• Quizzes on pages 2 and 3 make good ice breakers and can also be used for SL&C discussion prompts.

This carousel of Jubilee tasks was hurriedly put together for a group of 10 E1-E3 Functional Maths and English 16-19 year old learners who had just (very successfully!) finished all their Edexcel Functional Skills assessments.

After a year of hard work from my students, the emphasis was on celebration and fun. However, learning objectives included: measuring, counting, writing an email, spelling, 2D shapes, estimating, rounding and working with money. Rough lesson outline also included.

A set of cards to cut out and ideally put in plastic balls or a jazzy box. Aimed at E2- E3 Functional Skills learners as an ice breaker, introductory lesson or for revision. Students need to work out the question and identify the maths skills they are using to answer it. Best printed onto card.
Questions are aimed to appeal to young adult students – e.g. clubbing, Facebook, food, mobiles, etc.
Questions cover the 4 operations, money, time, shapes and more.
26 cards. Includes Functional Maths mapping chart.

A Sport Relief task which looks at the dates of the events and the cost of buying products from the Sport Relief shop. It includes reading a calendar and working out the days/weeks left until the event. It also includes questions on comparing, adding, subtracting (working pout change) and halving money. Learners have to read prices from the Sports Relief shop and decide what to buy with a given amount of money.

With answer sheet, and fully mapped to the E2-E3 Functional Maths criteria.