Adult Numeracy, Functional Maths, and GCSE Resources

Displaying 1 - 10 of 55 resources:

Updated Apr 19 2024 (corrections made to pages 1&3 of the main PDF and page 2 of "Your Budget")

This resources uses the Spring 2024 budget and makes it accessible for learners on L1 and L2 English courses. The resource gives them the budget break down and some comprehension questions based on L1 and L2 reading exams. 

Learners are then asked to design their own budget and think about why they would give money to certain areas outlined in the budget. 

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FS Eng L1.5 Express opinions and arguments and support them with evidence
FS Eng L2.6 Express opinions and arguments and support them with relevant and persuasive evidence
FE L1.13 Use reference materials & appropriate strategies for a range of purposes, inc. to find word meanings
FE READING understanding and locating information
FE L1.18 Use knowledge of punctuation to aid understanding of texts
Maths
FM L1.1 Read, write, order & compare large numbers (up to one million)
FM L2.1 Read, write, order & compare positive & negative numbers of any size
Context
Employment skills & Public services
Business & Money management
News, Politics & Government items

This document has been created to support learners who work with handling and using pesticides within the framework of current legislation. The material supports the following outcomes:

Level
Level 2
English
FE L2.11 Identify when main points are sufficient & when specific details are important
FE L2.24 Write text of appropriate level of detail & length to meet needs of purpose & audience
FE L1.17 Read & understand a range of specialist words in context
FE L2.15 Use a range of reference materials & resources (e.g. glossaries, legends/keys) for different purposes
FE L2.16 Understand organisational features & use to locate relevant information in a range of sources
Maths
FM Complex multi-step problem(s)
FM L2.16 Calculate perimeters & areas of 2-D shapes inc. triangles & circles and composite shapes including non-rectangular shapes (formulae given except for triangles & circles)
FM L2.15 Calculate using compound measures inc. speed, density & rates of pay
Context
Gardening & Horticulture

A PowerPoint set of L1-L2 reading, maths and writing tasks. All are based on information a recent UK.gov Home Office fact sheet about Prevent and Channel*. The fact sheet can be found online or downloaded from this page. Main Functional Maths coverage is reading and comparing whole numbers and percentages, and percentage-fraction equivalents. Some questions involve calculating percentages or checking the figures that are quoted in the text (Level 2).

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.9 Identify & understand the main points, ideas & details
FE L1.17 Read & understand a range of specialist words in context
FE L1.24 Use format, structure & language appropriate for audience & purpose
FE L1.23 Write text of appropriate level of detail & length to meet needs of purpose & audience
FE L2.11 Identify when main points are sufficient & when specific details are important
FE L2.16 Understand organisational features & use to locate relevant information in a range of sources
FE L2.24 Write text of appropriate level of detail & length to meet needs of purpose & audience
FE L2.25 Organise writing for different purposes using appropriate format & structure e.g. standard templates, paragraphs, bullet points, tables
FE L2.27 Use language & register (e.g. persuasive techniques, supporting evidence, specialist words) to suit audience & purpose
Maths
FM L1.1 Read, write, order & compare large numbers (up to one million)
FM L1.8 Read, write, order & compare common fractions & mixed numbers
FM L1.13 Read, write, order & compare percentages in whole numbers
FM L1.14 Calculate percentages of quantities, inc. simple percentage increase / decrease by 5% & multiples of
FM L1.16 Recognise & calculate equivalences between common fractions, percentages & decimals
FM L2.4 Identify & know the equivalence between fractions, decimals & percentages
FM L2.6 Calculate percentage change (any size increase & decrease), & original value after % change
General
Generic resources for literacy, numeracy and beyond
Context
Health and safety
News, Politics & Government items

This is a project based on Benford's law. I had this idea after watching the Numberphile series on YouTube. This is a project based activity that involves many skills including working with large numbers, using percentages, representing data and probability.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
Maths
FM Complex multi-step problem(s)
FM L1.1 Read, write, order & compare large numbers (up to one million)
FM L1.14 Calculate percentages of quantities, inc. simple percentage increase / decrease by 5% & multiples of
FM L1.15 Estimate answers to calculations using fractions and decimals
FM L1.27 Represent discrete data in tables, diagrams & charts inc. pie charts, bar charts, line graphs
FM L1.28 Group discrete data & represent grouped data graphically
FM L1.30 Understand probabilities on a scale from 0 to 1; use to compare the likelihood of events
FM L1.31 Use equally likely outcomes to find probabilities of simple events & express as fractions
Context
Business & Money management

A reading comprehension based on the BBC news website with related writing activities, one at E3 (informal letter) and one at L1-L2 (email).

Editor’s note
There is also some maths thrown in for good measure! A great resource for the start of (spring) term.

Level
Level 2
Level 1
Entry Level 3
English
Functional English - writing
Functional English reading
Maths
General numeracy / maths
Context
Voluntary, Charity and Community
News, Politics & Government items

A short cloze exercise on the Olympic Opening Ceremony based on numbers (E2-L1), plus a writing activity at 2 levels (E2-3 and L1-L2).

Editor’s note
The cloze is also a clever way of embedding some maths (large numbers).

Level
Level 2
Level 1
Entry Level 3
Entry Level 2
English
Functional English - writing
Functional English reading
Maths
Functional Maths - numbers and the number system
Context
Sport and fitness
News, Politics & Government items

This is a data handling activity aimed at L1/2 learners that involves calculating the mean and range, constructing a bar chart and then making sense of what the results mean in a functional context.

More observant learners may rename this activity ‘Sophie’s choice’!

Graph or squared paper is needed for question 3.

Level
Level 2
Level 1
Maths
HD1/L2.4
HD1/L2.3
HD1/L1.4
HD1/L1.3
Functional Maths - handling information and data

Topical resource based on a news story. Reading comprehension at 2 levels (E3 and L1/L2) plus two writing extension activities with writing frames. Some embedded maths (including a chart in the L1/L2 exercise) and the opportunity to discuss healthy eating. The higher level comprehension aims to get learners to understand in depth what they are reading, rather than just answer the questions from the text.

Level
Level 2
Level 1
Entry Level 3
English
Functional English - writing
Functional English reading
Maths
General numeracy / maths
Context
News, Politics & Government items
Health, Social care, Early years

In this activity, learners have to calculate how much paint is required for a specified job, find prices from different sources and work out total prices. This can then be compared. The resource is in two versions – one with formulae for the required calculations and one without – different pages from each version can be mixed and match to meet different learners’ needs.

The activity requires internet access – however price lists could be substituted for this if this is not available in your context.

Level
Level 2
Level 1
Entry Level 3
Maths
N2/L2.10
N2/L1.11
N2/E3.4
MSS1/L2.8
MSS1/L1.9
Functional Maths - numbers and the number system
Functional Maths - measures, shape & space
Context
Painting Decorating & DIY