Top Tips for Maths tests is a handout/classroom resource that can be used as an activity or as a handout.
It takes learners through the process of working out a complex Level 2 Maths question, with reference to how the marks can be gained, and the maths skills required to complete the question. The question is taken from IQ sample assessment materials http://www.industryqualifications.org.uk/sectors/functionalskills and builds on common mistakes made by learners during ‘live’ assessments.
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 resource contains the basic information with examples for learners preparing to sit level 1 Functional Maths. It is by no means comprehensive but does cover the areas that most learners find problematic, such as ratio, fractions, decimals, percentages and perimeter, area and volume.
I made this resource to check prior learning of a group I took over from another lecturer. It could work well for assessment, revision or as an extension task.
Editor’s note
Major update May 21. NEW answer sheet is also now available (contributors only) with detailed curriculum mapping for Reformed Functional Maths - visit our ANSWER SHEETS page for more information.
Level
Level 1
Maths
FM Contextualised underpinning
FM L1.22 Calculate area & perimeter of simple shapes inc. those made up of combination of rectangles
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
This maths investigation brings awareness about reusable energy and therefore, sustainability. Students are asked to analyse data and make decisions through connecting a few different topics of mathematics such as large numbers, rational numbers (including ratio and scale), handling data and elements of geometry. Moreover, the project can be continued by English language tutors.
This is a practical handling data task at L1 and L2 which uses the Internet to find the necesssary data in order to complete a Expenses claim form.
I work with Landbased students most of whom visit an exhibition at the Bath & West show ground. In this task they have to work out how much it will cost them to travel to the site and how much the entry fee is, then enter this information onto a expenses claim form as if they were submitting it to an employed to reclaim their costs.
For L2 students they need to find the actual cost of the fuel they use for the journey.