Adult Numeracy, Functional Maths, and GCSE Resources

This is a set of worksheets in a MS Excel workbook that deals with fractions.
- Sheet one: a set of pictures (pie charts) that shows fractions from halves to tenths
- Sheet two: equivalent fractions with two pie charts, learners can input fractions and see if they are equivalent by looking at the shape of the pie charts
- Sheet three: starting to look at fractions being equivalent to decimals with two pie charts one for fractions and one for decimals

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.

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.

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.

Budgeting Spreadsheet: Students enter amounts into a self calculating spreadsheet to work out a persons budget for the month.
This resource is best used around the topic of budgeting and bank accounts. I used it alongside the excellent Barclays Money Skills site.

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!

Quick addition warm up exercise using one and two digit numbers.
An Excel worksheet with an explanatory introductory PPT (with answers).

Simulations of email and online banking registration forms. Can be used in succession, as for the banking registration form you need an email address. When you press the “create account” button it will open the printing menu. Good luck!

Functional Skills maths across several levels.
A practical exercise involving estimation (of weight), weighing items and calculating range and mean.

Editor’s note
With detailed Functional Maths mapping

I put this together to explore number calculations and word problems with a mixed group of adult learners, looking at estimating, ways of checking your calculations and ways of reversing calculations.