Adult Numeracy, Functional Maths, and GCSE Resources

A twist of the ever-popular Argos activity. Generous Uncle Arthur has given you £1000! This version is ideal for Entry 3 as involves only estimating, addition and subtraction of money. The comparing prices and investigative aspect also make it ideal for Functional Maths (E2).

Costing-up a nursery is ideal for L2 childcare students studying L1 Functional Maths – originally written for AoN (Key Skills). Clear step by step directions on what to do – research, calculate, find averages, create a scale diagram, etc.

A great project that covers many L1/2 numeracy elements. You win the lottery, buy a nursery and have to furnish it from catalogues and/or Internet sites.
Learn about budgeting, displaying data, working with areas and floor plans, bank statements, rounding, estimating, and much more. Everything must be written up as a comprehensive report with a clear conclusion (a great guidance page on report writing is included in the resource).

An L1-2 investigation that covers direct proportion (best buy), and rounding / calculating with money /decimals. Two options are included: students can either research Easter egg and chocolate prices on internet shopping sites or use those given. In both cases they must investigate the cost per 100g chocolate and work out the best buy. Final extension work includes consideration of ‘buy one get one free’ and ‘two for £…’ offers.

Editor’s note. New update for 2016 – based on supermarket prices in February 2016

Involves ‘budgeting’ and research for buying a new car and a luxury holiday (2 separate worksheets) from a £100 000 lottery win. Covers addition (money) and large numbers.

A fascinating investigation that shows students how to calculate a body mass index and asks them to investigate the BMI of their choice of celebrities and present the results graphically. Covers formulae, decimals, calculators, converting measures, representing data, averages and range.

Use as a fun investigation and/or a more formal assessment. Ideal for mixed ability groups as covers skills from Low E2 – E3 – High L1.

Covers estimating, measuring, rounding, data handling (bar charts, averages, pictograms), decimals, calculator use, problem solving, time, 3D shapes and percentages. With answer sheets.

Detailed marking boxes for E2, E3, L1 to allow for differentiated assessment, and extra squared sheets for drawing bar charts and pictograms.
You will need to one packet of Love Hearts per pair or small group.

A super Level 2 lesson that focuses mostly on conversions (currency, distances and temperature). Includes a ‘distance between two cities’ chart that is useful for other activities. Great for the end of term.

A substantial resource designed to encourage students to tackle large projects in bite sized pieces. Originally used with E2E learners but suitable for all age groups. Aimed at E3- L1, it covers many literacy and numeracy topics and also requires some IT and research skills. Also used for L1 Key Skills IT portfolios and would now (2010) make an ideal Functional Skills project.

A resource based on catalogues (Argos and Littlewoods) that works especially well with younger students. 2 versions, differentiated for Level 1 and Level 2. Covers addition and subtraction (money) and percentages.