Functional Skills Maths Level 1

Course Title: Functional Skills Maths Level 1

Brief course description:

This is a 7-week, Level 1 Functional Skills Maths exam course.

(This course will take place three times a week)

In this course, you will learn a range of essential mathematical skills, including the use of whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percentages. You'll explore how to use practical skills in Maths that are essential for everyday life, work, and further education. You'll learn how to apply and use calculations with common measures including money, time, length, weight and capacity. Draw and describe 2-D and 3-D shapes such as a rectangle, circle, square and triangle. Explore how to order and compare whole numbers of any size, and fractions, ratios and decimals, and recognise the effect of multiplying and dividing by powers of 10, 100 and 1000.

By the end of the course, you should feel more confident and capable in your mathematical skills and application to solve increasingly complex real-world problems. You’ll use the skills you have learned on the course to help you face new concepts and challenges that may be valuable in future challenges of everyday life.

Objectives:

Read, write, order, and compare large numbers, positive and negative numbers, fractions, decimals (up to three decimal places), and percentages, and perform operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. You’ll apply these skills within tasks set by your teacher in your class.
Recognise and calculate equivalences between fractions, percentages, and decimals, and work with simple ratios and direct proportions, including estimating answers and calculating percentages of quantities.
Draw 2-D shapes, demonstrate an understanding of line symmetry, and knowledge of angles. Interpret plans, elevations, and nets of simple 3-D shapes, and use angles to describe position, direction, and measure in degrees.
Apply mathematical techniques to calculate the area, perimeter of simple shapes (including combinations of rectangles), and the volumes of cubes and cuboids. Learn how much paint, and wallpaper you will need to redecorate your rooms. Recognise and use simple scales on maps and drawings and interpret answers into real life problems.
Calculate simple interest and discounts in multiples of 5% on amounts of money, and convert between units of length, weight, capacity, money, and time within the same system. Learning about how the discounts can help you to become more smarter with your shopping bill.
Represent discrete data using tables, diagrams, and various charts, including pie charts, bar charts, and line graphs, and group and graphically display grouped data. Calculate statistical measures such as the mean and range of a set of quantities. Understand and use probability on a scale from 0 to 1, compare the likelihood of events, and find and express probabilities as fractions using equally likely outcomes.

Entry requirements:

You will need to have completed an Entry level 3 qualification or be able to demonstrate language at the required level. This means you will be able to develop and apply mathematical skills to solve increasingly complex real-world problems. Understand the importance of mathematics in both work and everyday life.

Equipment required:

Please bring to every lesson:

A folder
Pens & pencil
Lined A4 paper
A smartphone (if you have one)
A reusable water bottle

We will give you the WIFI details in the first lesson.

If you do not have access to a smart phone or a computer, speak to your tutor.

You will also need a personal Gmail account to access the Google classroom, which will be used for submitting coursework and accessing course materials. If you do not have a Gmail account speak to your tutor.

What courses can I go on to:

There are other courses you can do after or at the same time as this course:

Getting ready for Functional Skills Maths Level 1 / 2
Functional Skills Maths Level 1/2
Multiply Financial Inclusion course Level 1
Multiply Essential Skills Maths Level 1
Becoming Confident in Digital Skills
Digital Skills Entry 3/Level 1
Digital Skills for creating: How to organise a community event
Digital Skills in the workplace: Promoting and Selling your product or business online
Digital Skills in the workplace: Using Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Please ask your teacher for more information or contact Functional Skills email: functionalskills@towerhamlets.gov.uk

What examination is there:

You will undertake the Pearson Edexcel Functional Skills Qualification in Maths at Level 1.

The following topics will be covered during your class to help you achieve your qualification:

Working with numbers - Basic arithmetic skills, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. It also focuses on understanding and working with fractions, decimals, and percentages, and applying these skills in real-life contexts like budgeting, estimating, and rounding.

Measure, Shape and Space - Apply measurements in various contexts, such as cooking or construction, and how to calculate area, perimeter, and volume. Additionally, focus on recognising and working with shapes and spatial relationships.

Handling Data - Collect, organise, and interpret data from charts, graphs, and tables, while using averages, ranges, and other basic statistical measures. You'll learn to apply this data to solve problems, such as comparing prices or analysing local and national trends.

Problem Solving - Use mathematical reasoning to tackle everyday problems. You'll apply these skills to real-world scenarios, like planning a journey to work, school or a holidays and managing finances.

The exam is taken at The Shadwell Centre at the end of the course. You MUST attend all your classes.

How will I know I am making progress:

At the start of the course, your tutor will talk with you about which parts of your Maths you need to practise most and help you create an individual learning plan. Throughout the course, you will have a tutorial meeting to discuss your strengths, areas for improvement, and any problems you may have. You will keep a folder with your work, which will help you review your learning outside of class. Your tutor will give you regular feedback on your class work and homework to help you improve. To make progress, you need to attend all your classes and do work outside of class.

You will lose your place if your attendance is less than 80%.

Other info:

One of our aims is to help you make progress in work or future studies. We also want to help you participate in your communities and become an active citizen. In our classes, you will develop important skills that employers value and that will help you in everyday life. Here’s what you will learn:

Communication Skills: You will learn to speak and write more clearly and confidently. This includes practising conversations for work, writing emails, and filling out forms.
Decision-Making: You will learn how to make good choices by evaluating different options and thinking critically about situations.
Teamwork: You will learn how to work well with others.
Problem-Solving: You will develop the ability to identify problems and find effective solutions, useful in both work and daily life.
Time Management: You will practice managing your time effectively, including setting goals and meeting deadlines.

By improving these skills, you will increase your chances of finding a job, advancing in your career, and becoming an active member of your community.

Extra support

We can help you if you tell us you have a learning difficulty, disability or other support needs. Please tell us when you enrol or in your first class.