Adult Numeracy, Functional Maths, and GCSE Resources

Fun, multi-purpose speaking / reading / listening / writing / maths warm-up activity that can be used at any level and for any subject – particularly effective at Entry Level. Learners shake two dice to locate a word on a number matrix (good for maths:co-ordinates too!).
Five sample grids are provided – covering descriptions, homophones (2 grids), spellings and clothes – plus a blank grid so you can make your own. Includes full instructions and can also be used for numeracy.

Six Functional Maths tasks based on a theme of cooking pancakes in a college canteen. Plenty of space is provided for showing working out and many questions have no single correct answer (as, in a true functional fashion, these will depend on the students’ ideas and research).

Covers number, ratio, tallies, fractions, money and measures. All three process skills are amply covered. Particularly suitable for Shrove Tuesday but can be used all year round.

An adapted version of Judith White’s pancake resource aimed at Level 1 (see below). I have created this resource to use with Entry 3 (and slightly higher E3/L1) learners.

Four tasks based on a traditional pancake recipe. Space is provided for showing working out and one task involves independent web research.

Covers number, simple proportion, money, time and measures. All three process skills are covered.

A fabulous multi-level, multiple-skills project which clearly demonstrates how Functional English, Maths and ICT can be embedded into vocational teaching. Includes budgeting, forecasting, writing business plans, group discussion and much more. Ideal for (and fully mapped to) E3-L2 Functional English and Maths.

A great set of two tasks. Task 1 is based on fitting out a kitchen and involves scale diagrams, measures, money, VAT and more. Task 2 is based on commercial office rental prices. Fully mapped to FM criteria.

An adaptation of John Thompson’s popular You’re in the money (1997 – see below) which makes good use of Argos and Littlewoods catalogues. This adaptation has differentiated task sheets (E2-3, and L1-2) and is ideal for underpinning many aspects of Functional Mathematics including money, odd-even numbers, problem solving, rounding, averages and more; in addition to developing problem solving skills.

Two task sheets. The first, ‘My Budget’, encourages learners to compare their current budget with what it could be if they were in employment.
The second was used on an ASDAN Unit 3 business planning course and encourages discussion about the costs of self-employment.
Suitable for underpinning Functional Maths (E3 upwards).

Boxes is a very useful hands-on diagnostic assessment activity ideal for the start of term. Covers many aspects of Measure Shape and Space including estimatiung, measuring, rounding, area and volume. With ideas for L1-2 extension. Also suitable for underpinning Functional Maths.

09-10 Football Season is a wonderful way to engage mixed ability groups of footie fans!
Covers formulating an argument, discussion, recognising points of view – facts & opinions, writing sentences & paragraphs.
Maths aspects include extracting information from tables, averages, ratios, and addition & subtraction.

A challenging project where students must research, plan and cost a luxury garden. Includes scale diagrams, money, and shape and space problems (paving slabs). Extension options cover percentages and averages. Great for horticulture students or anyone with an interest in gardening.
Also ideal for L1-2 Functional Maths.
The project also involves web investigation (costs of garden materials) and writing a covering letter (selling the finished garden design) and therefore also covers Functional ICT and Functional English.