Adult Numeracy, Functional Maths, and GCSE Resources

I wrote this to add to Timings in a Salon by Carrie Bray (see link left) as I needed to encourage my higher level students in the same area.

I started the session by giving students terminology which they had to define, then work out how much it was worth if a=1p b=2p etc. (see PPT).

I used then used tasks to recap on 24 hour and analogue time next then used the attached worksheets alongside Carrie's worksheet.

I then provided a Tarsia puzzle at the end to recap on time.

Editor's notes

A 12 piece jigsaw where the square pieces form a rectangle. Learners to match questions on mean, mode, median and range to the correct answers.

Whatever their original format, all Tarsia jigsaws can also be printed out as flashcards / dominoes. As the print is quite small on the standard sized puzzle, you might find it helpful to print out the larger version of the puzzle (select Output – large, i.e. three pieces per A4 sheet).

[img_assist|nid=4634|title=|desc=|link=popup|align=left|width=74|height=100]3 different Tarsia puzzles covering a range of topics including: percentages. converting metric measures, addition/subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, time, etc.

Puzzle 1 – set of 24 dominoes (E3-L2)
Puzzle 2 – 24 triangular pieces (forming a hexagonal puzzle). L1-L2
Puzzle 3 – 12 piece ‘oval’ parquet puzzle (made up of 4 squares and 8 triangles). L1-L2

An excellent, detailed lesson plan – focusing on expressing one number as a fraction of another but also touching on other fraction topics.The two hour plan includes a good mix of hands-on practical activities (such as sorting and matching) combined with teacher input, worksheets, discussion, etc.

A fabulous, very clear lesson plan ideal for money-management / personal finance classes. The mathematical focus is on percentages (VAT) but it also covers rounding and extracting data and can be used in mixed ability classes from E2 -L2.
The plan also includes links to online Budget videos, a ‘chop or not’ game, VAT calculators and more!
Also suitable for underpinning L1 Functional Maths, and linked to Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship (ESDGC).

A set of two detailed lesson plans and sample differentiated active learning plans written for construction students but suitable for any L1-2 FM students. Mapped to the FM criteria.

A challenging, 24 piece hexagonal jigsaw where you must match ratios to their simplified versions. Also makes a great revision activity for revising times tables and common factors. As usual with Tarsia puzzles, you can choose to print either a standard or large version of the puzzle (select Output – large, i.e. three pieces per A4 sheet).

A Simple and straightforward 16 piece jigsaw that makes a great group activity. Cardinal and ordinal numbers are matched with number words to form a triangle. This puzzle constructs sequentially, i.e. the word ‘one’ is at the triangle’s apex, matching with 1, then two, underneath it and so on up to 10 in cardinals and 8th in ordinals (this makes it a lot easier for preEntry learners to see how the triangle is constructed).

16 piece jigsaw that makes a great ice breaker. First used with older learners who were unused to metric measures, and a younger learner who was unused to imperial. Match metric measure descriptions or quantities with their imperial equivalents to solve the puzzle and complete the triangle. Although converting between systems is only covered at level 2 of the curriculum the creator, Andrea, reports that E3/L1 students cope with this very well, as their life experiences help them.