Project Outcome: Supporting Non-calculator Skills at Entry Level

The rationale for this project was based on the new non-calculator section of the reformed Functional Skills qualifications. The group identified an early need to focus delivery for learners in preparation for the non-calculator section of the reformed Entry Level Functional Skills qualification

There was an early agreement amongst the group on the need to ensure that entry level learners have the confidence to perform non-calculator skills. It was decided that it would be very beneficial to focus support activities and strategies to deliver learning on the four operations and this is what formed the project outcome for this PEN Group.

It was also discussed from the experience of the group members the importance of learners mastering these vital underpinning skills which would prepare learners better for more advanced four operations calculations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) as they progressed up the Functional Skills levels and onto higher level problem solving tasks.

A Padlet page was created for group members as the platform to post suggestions and research ideas. The group members used the Padlet page to post current activities they were using in their delivery.

Listed below are links to resources/activities which the group members found most effective:

The use of numicon https://www.theschoolrun.com/what-is-numicon

Although primarily designed for key stage 1 learning, this has proved effective with adult entry level learners too as suggested by PEN Group members.

Vocabulary task on four operations

1. Learner to insert different words for the four operations to familiarise learners with language used (in readiness for problem solving word questions)

Add Subtract

multiply divide

2. Using different vocabulary

Different written methods for the four operations using one and two digit numbers

Lattice method of multiplication video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSqDIcPSXLY

How to Add and Subtract

Gapped multiplication grid

Use of multiplication rainbows

Use of counters 1-20 numbers

Singapore Maths https://mathsnoproblem.com/en/mastery/what-is-singapore-maths/

ESOL activites effective for entry level learners taken from other ESOL PEN group https://warwick.ac.uk/study/cll/courses/professionaldevelopment/wmcett/researchprojects/profex2018/

Learners to complete activities without a calculator and then use calculator for checking answers

Learners to estimate and approximate answers and then check using a calculator

Contributions by:

Sarvjit Bahra (JTL), Helena Darby (Mencap), Jenny Cantillon (Coventry Adult Education), Neil Gardener (Heart of Worcester College), Iain Evans and Tim Galashan (Derwen College)