ENGLISH, MATHS & ICT Embedding Functional Skills

What are Functional Skills? Take a minute to think about the first half hour of your day this morning. Did you use your English, Maths or ICT skills in any way?

The First Half Hour ActivitySkill Wake up to alarm clockMaths – had to understand how to tell the time Showered and washed hair English and Maths – estimated volume of shampoo. Recognised bottle due to writing/pictures on the front. Made a cup of teaMaths – made estimations of measurement and volume (amount of water in kettle/milk and teaspoon of sugar). Check diaryICT – Used calendar function on smart phone.

Why Bother? English, Maths and ICT skills underpin everything we do. Embedding these skills into our teaching should lead to improved success rates/learner satisfaction. It is an OFSTED requirement that these skills are embedded across all curriculum areas. These skills are often referred to as: FUNCTIONAL SKILLS

English, Maths & ICT in Your Own Teaching Take 10 minutes to think about the English and Maths and ICT needs in your own area. Now look at the English, Maths and ILT ‘trees’ provided on the next three slides. What are the English, Maths and ILT needs in your area? Some examples have been put in to help you. How could these needs be addressed within your own teaching. What could you do to help?

Example: A dance teacher uses shape and counts time – he or she could use clapping to help reinforce this.

Example: Hairdressing students need to learn subject specific words – the tutor could provide a glossary to help them.

Students can use their smartphones to collect examples or evidence to reinforce learning e.g. bad use of apostrophe on signs (English students), styles of writing (art). Images can be shared with peers and prompt discussion.

Showing this on Your Lesson Plans You must show how you have embedded English, Maths and ICT skills into your teaching. There is a separate column on the college lesson plan template titled: ‘Opportunities to support English, maths and ICT.’ This is the place to record the support. It is important to be specific. Please see the table over leaf for examples.

Examples: how to show embedded functional skills on your lesson plans Curriculum Area English, Maths or ICT support need How NOT to put this on the plan How to put this on the plan (in the ‘Opportunities to support English, maths and ICT’ column) FloristryX has difficulty understanding different words for shapes (English as a second language) Extra help given English-Polish dictionary provided for X & cue cards showing shape and word in English given. ArtY finds perspective difficult to grasp SupportGiven YouTube link to tutorial on drawing perspective. Extra exercises provided. Learning to be checked week 4.

Referral What if the needs are too complex for you to deal with? Refer to your Curriculum Manager. He or she will then consider whether the student should be referred to the college’s English/Maths courses or whether some kind of in-class support would be appropriate.

Conclusion English, Maths and ICT skills are required in every curriculum area. We all address these areas as part of good teaching practice. We need to demonstrate that we have embedded English, Maths and ICT within our own teaching areas. Remember these are all FUNCTIONAL SKILLS

Training into your area We can offer the Hidden Agenda in the Classroom direct to your Team Meetings – if you would like to arrange it, contact the Training Office The face to face training will back up this short powerpoint presentation.