Adult Numeracy, Functional Maths, and GCSE Resources

This is an Excel file with a basic odd/even activity. I took inspiration from Jean Thomas’ “Reveal the hidden shapes!” activity from 2005.

With this activity, the tutor can design a picture (or one learner can design a picture for another learner) and it produces a printable sheet. The learner then shades all the odd numbers on the sheet in one colour, and all the even numbers in a different colour – revealing a picture or a message.

There are no macros, so cross-compatibility with Excel shouldn’t be a problem.

Students regularly tell me they cannot read bus timetables and just wait for the next one to come along! This activity asks learners to find the most appropriate bus for my journey.
I print the timetables (pages 2-8) out enlarged to A3 and stick them to walls of my classroom.

Update (June 2016)
Answer sheet (and error report for one question) kindly provided by Ray Sheerin and Jay Hall, Aylesbury, Bucks, Adult Learning.

A collection of worksheets asking students to cut out and put the items in order using a given criterion. More able students can measure the items.

Measures, shape and space activity suitable for Entry 1 learners.

Editor’s note
Used with a gingerbread house bought in Aldi (Christmas 2012) but similar houses are available in other stores.

I have created this to enable learners to estimate and calculate and to emphasis the (financial) costs of smoking.
Editor’s note
With Functional maths mapping.

This is a good starter activity to introduce measures, shape and space. It is also useful in dividing classes into small groups.

Using the templates I created I printed them on to card of different colours. I gave the shapes to the learners as they entered the room and told them to find the table with the same shape on it. When they reached the table they found the shape and some questions to answer.

After five minutes I asked for feedback from the learners.

Editor’s note
With Functional Maths mapping

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
With Functional Maths mapping

This is a set of part-blanked times tables grids for students to complete and use as a resource. Used with Entry level students. Includes 10×10 and 12×20 grids, with full and gap versions.

Editor’s note
Can be printed and completed on paper, or used on-screen.

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

Hands-on extension tasks for various Skillsworkshop cocktail and smoothie resources. (Original resources can be found under “see also” below).