Functional skills maths.
Extract information from mileage and distance (network) diagrams. Complete a mileage chart. Editor’s note
With worked solutions, pop up help and a final challenge question.
Ideal as an introduction or for revision.
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’!
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.
An interesting meld of description, investigation, paired discussion and tasks.
Ideal introduction to L1 averages – also useful at high E3.
Adapted from one page of Nikki Gilbey’sData Collection and Averages – functional tasks (listed below under See also).
I wanted to create a resource to enable my students to practise calculating with time.
Most of the students work in Wiltshire, but live in Yorkshire, so I thought it would be fun if they explored different travel methods to Yorkshire to see which was the fastest. The travel distances and times were from the Internet and I created this resource differentiated for Levels 1 and 2.
Editor’s note
Clever differentiation. Although both sets of questions are the same, the Level 2 learner has more complex information to choose from.
Level
Level 2
Level 1
Maths
AN MSS1/L2.2 Calculate, measure and record time
AN MSS1/L1.2 Read & measure time and use timetables
A counting game along similar lines to Snakes and Ladders. Learners will learn turn-taking, following instruction & basic counting skills. In addition, they will pick up social and communication skills along the way.
(Print onto A3 – a dice and counters needed)
Editor’s note
A PPT version is also included to enable the game to be played on a smartboard.
Level
M8
Entry Level 1
English
SLlr/E1.3
Maths
AN N1/E1.1 Count reliably up to 10 items
Functional Maths - numbers and the number system
Pre-entry
pre-Entry SLlr/M8.3 Listen to and answer simple single step instructions / requests
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.
This is an adaptation of Murder at the Grange, which my students have always enjoyed.
I wanted to extend the work on calculating with time, so learners have to use and extend timetables and calculate multi-stage journey times. I also thought it would be good to have some female characters!
Level
Level 2
Level 1
Entry Level 3
Entry Level 2
Maths
AN MSS1/L2.2 Calculate, measure and record time
AN MSS1/L1.3 Calculate with and convert between units of time
AN MSS1/L1.2 Read & measure time and use timetables
This activity encourages ESOL students:
- To communicate with each other while moving around the classroom,
- To revise Past Simple (questions and answers),
- To practise basic numeracy (subtraction).
With extensive teachers’ notes
Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 1
Maths
AN N1/E3.2
ESOL
ESOL Sc/E2.2a make requests: ask for things or action
ESOL Sc/E1.1a Use stress & intonation to make speech comprehensible
ESOL Lr/E1.4a Listen and respond to requests for personal information