Adult Numeracy, Functional Maths, and GCSE Resources

Inspired by Judith White’s autumn apple cake resource (ratios, converting measures, formulae, etc.) this series of open ended tasks focuses on the importance of showing working out and explaining/justifying their conclusions. It also helps students get used to the idea that some maths questions do not have just one “correct” answer.

The theme is baking several cakes for a charity event and making a profit.
You will need Judith’s original recipe (see below) to complete some of the tasks. Fully mapped to the Functional Maths criteria.

A Functional Maths and numeracy task sheet written for a mixed group of entry level learners to collect, represent and analyse data on favourite biscuits. The topic is introduced with a news article about Britain’s favourite biscuits. Learners must create a tally chart/frequency table, a pictogram and a bar chart. Pre-drawn grids and squared paper is included.

A Functional Maths resource using area, multiplication, division and money. I have used Wickes catalogues with my students as they are small and easy to use, but combining the task with internet research to find the best price would be a really good way of doing this lesson.
Fully mapped to L1-2 Functional Maths criteria.

A scaffolded investigation created for my Level 1 numeracy group but ideal for, and fully mapped to, L1-2 Functional maths.
Part 1 involves reading a description of a room and drawing simple scale diagrams (a grid is provided) before pricing up a carpet from a discount company.
Part 2 is more complex: calculate the length of skirting board, wallpaper, paint, dado rail and door framing required.

I adapted this from Helen Lloyd’s Planning a school party (see below). I used her idea to develop a task that my students could manage on their own while I was doing a first aid course. This version includes an extra task about providing a Santa and gifts, and I also included some simple fraction questions.

I used Helen’s supermarket list for prices of party food etc. As we have no ITC facilities, I downloaded and printed info from www.partydelights.co.uk for pocket money toys.

Here is another Level 1-2 variant on the classic ‘Smarties’ investigation which incorporates the use of a PC and Excel. I stopped using Smarties and Skittles because of the health and hygiene issues.

A great project that covers many Functional maths and Functional English criteria. You win the lottery, buy a mobile phone shop 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).

I worked with a plumbing tutor at Wiltshire College to write the attached task for a group of apprentice plumbers. The group enjoyed working on this. I was inspired to produce this after reading and using the Air Conditioner task contributed by Leia Fee (see below).

[img_assist|nid=4809|title=|desc=|link=popup|align=left|width=100|height=76]Useful set of two resources.
1) A Smart notebook file that introduces the topic, provides practice questions and finishes with a room decorating project and a self-assessment check.
Please note you must have the Smart notebook software installed on your computer in order to open, view and use this resource http://smarttech.com/
2) PowerPoint scale diagram multiple choice quiz (5 questions) makes a good final activity or use later for revision.

Find out and record everyone’s favorites from a diverse list of foods. Use as an icebreaker in any Entry Level literacy, numeracy, Functional Skills or ESOL lesson.

Also ties in well with lessons on diversity, healthy eating, collecting data, making / taking simple surveys, tallies, counting, asking questions, etc.

Mapped to Functional Maths and SfL adult numeracy, Functional English (speaking, listening and communication) and SfL adult literacy.