Adult Numeracy, Functional Maths, and GCSE Resources

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.

A colourful card matching task in which students interpret practical scenarios involving proportional relationships in terms of ratios and the total numbers of equal parts involved in them.

In pairs, they move the cards/ paper slips around and discuss how to match four ratios (white) with the four statements about parts (blue) and the four practical situations and actual amounts which correspond with them (yellow).

Level 2 Time revision. A PPT that takes E3-L2 learners step by step through an Edexcel L2 2017 exam question about a diving competition.
The exam question is broken down into three separate tasks, each with extra extension questions. 

In addition each task has a suggested time limit which encourages learners to manage their own time in exams. Can also be printed as a worksheet: select slides 4-9 and print 1 slide per page in landscape, fit-to-page mode.

Editor's note

This is a handout for Functional Skills L1/L2 which talks about formulas, substitution and BODMAS (BIDMAS).

“Editor’s note*
It includes worked examples from past papers and useful tips and hints. Fully mapped to L2 FM and GCSE Maths 1-5

Fun bingo game where learners practise measuring and drawing a grid – in addition to calculating areas and perimeters of simple shapes.

First one to a get line (or a full house) wins!

Editor’s note
Lovely idea that could easily be adapted for other topics.

My class of adult learners were struggling to associate fractions with real world scenarios so I created this worksheet based on honest situations.
The questions are diverse in difficulty from Entry level 2 to Level 2 making it a good worksheet as a starter or revision.
Editor’s note
With curriculum mapping and answers

A game for 2 players to help with multiplying decimals with or without a calculator.
Learners take turns to choose 2 numbers to multiply, then cover up the answer on the grid. This continues until a player has 4 counters/initials in a row(diagonally, horizontally or vertically).
Prompts can be used for learners to pick a target answer and to try to work out which 2 decimals are going to give that answer.
Editor’s note
Laminate for re-use. A great game.

A differentiated resource to recap many number & measure skills and to help learners with the skills needed when looking for or applying for a job.

There are 6 questions in both the L1 and L2 version – working out weekly pay, annual salary, tax payable, comparing pay to JSA (Job Seeker’s Allowance), reading/completing a bus timetable and correcting a job acceptance letter (L1 Functional English proof reading).

A range of questions that I have designed for my Functional Skills Maths learners.The focus is on the four operations (+ – x ÷) with wide coverage of measures and money.

There are two sets of similar, but differentiated, questions so that learners at both both levels can complete them in the same lesson. Each set of questions cover several themes (dog show and music festival) followed by a set of mixed questions and a final page of stretch and challenge tasks.

Editor’s note
With curriculum mapping.
No answer sheet.

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.