The main resource has four pages. Three of the pages contain a chart and a brief to a group of students to discuss and write some sentences saying what the chart tells them. The twist is that each group of 3 students has a different chart drawn from the same data as the groups next to them. The fourth page has the table from which the charts were drawn.
The charts used are: dual/clustered bar chart comparing types of drink sold on two days. A stacked/composite bar chart and a percentage bar chart of the same data.
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.
Level
Level 2
Level 1
Maths
Averages and range
Collect organise represent
Functional Maths - handling information and data
ICT
Functional Skills ICT: Developing, presenting and communicating information
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).
Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
Functional English - speaking, listening & communicating
Maths
Functional Maths - measures, shape & space
AN MSS1/E3.1 Add & subtract money using decimal notation
MSS1/E3.2
AN MSS1/L1.1 Add, subtract, multiply & divide sums of money and record
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.
Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
Functional English - writing
Adult Literacy: writing composition (Wt)
Maths
Functional Maths
MSS1/L1.11
MSS1/L2.10
MSS2/L2.2
MSS2/L2.3
ICT
Functional Skills ICT: Finding and selecting information
A great set of resources for all levels from E1-L2. Includes information and worksheets, card / matching games and an IT drawing exercise.
Functional skills mapping and minor corrections made – August 2011.
An L1-2 investigation that covers direct proportion (best buy), and rounding / calculating with money /decimals. Two options are included: students can either research Easter egg and chocolate prices on internet shopping sites or use those given. In both cases they must investigate the cost per 100g chocolate and work out the best buy. Final extension work includes consideration of ‘buy one get one free’ and ‘two for £…’ offers.
Editor’s note. New update for 2016 – based on supermarket prices in February 2016
Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
General literacy / English
Maths
AN N2/L1.7
AN N2/L1.6
AN N2/L1.5 Calculate with decimals up to 2dp
AN MSS1/L1.1 Add, subtract, multiply & divide sums of money and record
Selecting, formatting, inserting clip art / Word Art, tables, and proof reading practice – follow the onscreen instructions to produce a perfect invoice for Umbrellas Incorporated!