Adult Numeracy, Functional Maths, and GCSE Resources

An Australian version (i.e. uses A$, Australian vocabulary and minimum wage details, etc.) of the popular Stash the Cash written by Andy Morrell in 2010. In addition to currency changes this version also includes an extra version of the calculations table and other changes. For example,  the table on page 3 has extra columns to make the mathematical operations explicit and to allow students to practise writing mathematical “sentences”.

A hastily put together resource for Valentine's Day 2022 (but can be used in any year!).  Although the covered subject content statements are all E1 or E2 - the problem solving element of some questions also makes this also suitable for E3, especially the final "Stretch" investigation. Questions are mapped but there is no answer sheet.

These two PowerPoints cover the properties of  2D and 3D shapes (E2-E3) - faces, edges, vertices and line symmetry. This is assessed using a quiz in PPT1. Both PPTs then move on to recognising nets and drawing nets of cubes and cuboids (now found in Level 1 exams). The second PPT can be printed off and used as a workbook.  I have also included two links to You tube but you can use your own favourite shape/nets video links if you prefer.

Editor's note

Whilst I designed this resource for Adult Numeracy learners, it has found much use over the years across the maths cohorts I've worked with from pre-GCSE to ESOL, and with GCSE learners.

It is in Excel format - 3 tabs for different activities and the second Excel file is the solution sheet.

The sheets are formatted to print off as A4 landscape to allow learners to have their own copies to work on.

This has always worked well as a starter activity with learners in small groups (or teams) and having a competitive edge.

I designed this quiz as revision for my learners.
Trying to disguise the Functional Maths by putting it together with other rounds as a quiz to make it more interesting!

Editor’s note
Covers many aspects of E3 and L1 Maths – along with interesting and fun general knowledge questions for all levels.
The answer sheet and curriculum mapping is only available to site contributors. Please see details within the resource

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.

I use this in my ESOL Functional Maths classes. I know there are already excellent measures / postal charges resources on Skillsworkshop, but I wanted to do a matching type exercise, which ESOL students are very familiar with.

Comprehensive, step by step 12 page workbook.
Students must research their own budgets and local financial institutions before making major financial decision such as costing an event and taking out a loan to buy a car.
Covers money, decimals, ratio and percentages (interest rates). Fully mapped to E2-L1 Functional Maths.

Two differentiated investigations: one aimed at E3 learners, the other at L1.
Each covers a wide range of skills – including measures, bar charts, sell by dates, shapes and money. The L1 version includes a ‘best-buy’ section and fractions.
Adapted from previous Skillsworkshop resources including Easter Numeracy (Carrie Bray 2010) and Easter Eggs – Value for money? (Judith White, 2012). These can be found under “See also” below.
Tutor warning

This is a set of three (maybe more) lessons which looks at the costs of a night out to London. It starts with students having to look at a train ticket and get the asked information from it – cost/type of ticket/time. It uses addition as students need to find out the cost of two tickets. They then use google to search times of trains. The next session looks at the cost of the theatre ticket and finding out the change you would have from a given amount again researching the theatre on the internet.