Adult Numeracy, Functional Maths, and GCSE Resources

Although many learners find patterns and sequences (including odd & even numbers) straightforward, there is a sizeable proportion that really struggle – particularly those with dyslexia and/or dyscalculia.

This resource grew from my frustration at the lack of practice material available for this topic at Entry Levels 2 and 3 in my one to one support sessions. There is generally only one question on this topic per FS assessment, and I found it difficult to come up with real life functional problems off the top of my head.

A simple but effective dice game to help students become familiar with, and practise, calculating percentages of amounts. You will need to customise 2 dice by writing amounts on one and percentages on the other.
I usually play this game with low ability students after teaching them a fail-safe calculator method for working out percentages of amounts, but it can be adapted for higher level learners.
It also helps to reinforce that 0% of a number is nothing and 100% of a number is all of it.

Revision of all 4 number functions (+,-,x,÷). Originally aimed at JobCentrePlus Upskill clients but suitable for all. Contexts include office, fast food restaurant, and care home The first page is adapted from Liverpool Community College Flexipacks. All other work is original.

Editor’s note
Includes Functional Maths mapping (E3-L2)

A set of differentiated Functional Skills tasks aimed at E3-L2 maths and L1-2 English reading. Based on a well designed, unbiased infographic published on the eve of the EU referendum by the I newspaper.
With answers and detailed FS mapping.

A game of bingo to practise classroom objects and numbers 1-16. There are 8 different bingo cards and a teacher’s board.
This could be used at the start of term for Pre-entry or Entry 1 learners.

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.

Based on two recent articles / surveys on Black Friday shopping, the main focus of this resource is Functional Mathematics but there is also an introductory page of English questions that check vocabulary, purpose of text and the ability to extract meaning from graphical material and captions.

This is followed by three pages of challenging differentiated questions for E3-L2 Functional Maths – all are based on the infographics within the text. Topics include large numbers, percentages, fractions and the four operations.

Students regularly tell me they cannot read bus timetables and just wait for the next one to come along! This activity asks learners to find the most appropriate bus for my journey.
I print the timetables (pages 2-8) out enlarged to A3 and stick them to walls of my classroom.

Update (June 2016)
Answer sheet (and error report for one question) kindly provided by Ray Sheerin and Jay Hall, Aylesbury, Bucks, Adult Learning.

The Office of National Statistics (ONS) is a rich source of data, charts and graphs.In particular, infographics are becoming ever more popular. They can tell complex statistical stories in an easy to grasp manner but also open doors to further mathematical interpretation and investigation.

A fill in the gaps worksheet for converting time between word formats; digital and analogue wording, 12 and 24 hour clocks.