Adult Numeracy, Functional Maths, and GCSE Resources

M&Ms Investigation is an adaptation of the 2007 L1-2 Smarties resource from Judith White – it is particularly useful now as it seems that sadly the Smarties factory now uses an accurate counter and all tubes contain the same number of sweets! Covers bar charts, pictograms, tallies. Also discusses averages and analyses collective data.

Smarties graphs and pie charts is yet another adaptation of our ever-popular resource. This version is aimed at L1-2 and covers pie charts, bar charts, averages and tallies.

Smarties Challenge makes a great general revision activity for L1 – L2. Covers averages, representing data, pi, fractions, percentages and more. With extension tasks.

Measures portfolio / workbook is a semi-structured set of investigations that would be ideal as an end of topic (common measures) informal assessment for L1-2 students. Covers length, weight, capacity, money, time, area and shapes.
The investigative approach also makes this ideal for underpinning L1 and L2 Functional Maths

A great set of activities and questions. The first is based on a children’s design project and is aimed at L1 (with L2 extension activities). Plus two other practical L2 investigations ideal for horticulture (planting bulbs in flower beds) and construction (building a pathway with slabs). Estimating and working out exact costs are also covered.

Investigate the possibility of a college stocking fairly traded products in its canteen. Covers many reading, writing, ICT, numeracy, speaking and listening skills inc. data handling, report writing, creating charts and questionnaires, giving a presentation, etc. Ideal for embedding all three functional skills (or literacy, numeracy and ICT) especially for business students.

A web research project that covers money and general reading / research / writing skills. You must plan a trip for 15 pre-school children.

A short article with multiple choice questions and ideas for discussion. Several of the questions also require general L1 numeracy skills with time and large numbers, making this a good all round starter activity.

A wonderful seasonal L1-2 investigation (2 options – one for L1, one for L2) that covers ratios, formulae (oven temperatures, cake tins), converting measures, money and more.

Also includes a useful information sheet on autumn festivals from different cultures and faiths – ideal for prompting further discussion re. equality and diversity.

Costing-up a nursery is ideal for L2 childcare students studying L1 Functional Maths – originally written for AoN (Key Skills). Clear step by step directions on what to do – research, calculate, find averages, create a scale diagram, etc.