Adult Literacy Fundamental Mathematics (ALFM)
Goal Statement
Adult Literacy Fundamental Level Mathematics (ALF-M) will give students a strong foundation of basic skills, concepts, mathematical vocabulary, and problem solving strategies to prepare them to meet personal, career or further academic goals.
The ALF-M levels are six designated levels that range from pre-numeracy to readiness for the Intermediate ABE level. Learning Outcomes for all six levels are categorized as CONCEPTS, OPERATIONS/ APPLICATIONS or SKILLS & STRATEGIES FOR LEARNING. The outcomes in each of the six ALF-M levels are cumulative and reflect all the skills encompassed by the previous ALF-M level. In many cases, it is necessary to spiral back to review concepts mastered at previous ALF-M levels.
Students are expected to develop conceptual understanding as well as skills. They are expected to apply the learned mathematical concepts and skills to a variety of problem-solving situations. They are to be encouraged to develop automaticity and estimation skills in order to increase their confidence and competence in mathematics.
Level 1 Math
Students need to demonstrate competency in these outcomes before progressing to the next level. In assessment, it may be determined that some of the outcomes have already been met. In this case, students will focus on the outcomes which still need to be achieved.
Learning Outcome
Students will be able to . . . |
Sub-outcomes/skills
By achieving this broader outcome, students will demonstrate that they can also . . . |
Sample Practice Tasks
Students can develop/practice the skills needed to achieve this outcome by . . . |
- Evaluate 2-digit expressions using addition and subtraction, without carrying or borrowing/trading
- Identify place value to 100
- Round whole numbers to the nearest 10, 100, 1000
- Order whole numbers to 100
- Represent mathematical ideas in concrete, pictorial, and symbolic forms
- Use mathematical vocabulary and language to communicate concepts
- Identify value of Canadian currency
- Translate a 1 step addition or subtraction word problem into a mathematical expression
- Identify regular shapes: rectangle, square, triangle, and circle
- Recognize common base time units (seconds, minutes, etc.)
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- Read and write whole numbers up to 100
- Recognize vertical and horizontal format for adding and subtracting
- Count by multiples of 2, 5, 10, up to 1000
- Apply or use examples of keywords
- Compare whole numbers
- Estimate value of numbers
- Solve for the perimeter of a rectangle, triangle, and square
- Draw and label the sides of a regular shape (rectangle, square, triangle)
- Planning the steps necessary for a feast
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- Counting by multiples of 2, 5, and 10
- Show the relationship between manipulatives and numbers up to 20
- Drawing and labeling regular shapes (rectangle, square, triangle, circle)
- Plan and produce a food product based on a recipe.
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Level 2 Math
Students need to demonstrate competency in these outcomes before progressing to the next level. In assessment, it may be determined that some of the outcomes have already been met. In this case, students will focus on the outcomes which still need to be achieved.
Learning Outcome
Students will be able to . . . |
Sub-outcomes/skills
By achieving this broader outcome, students will demonstrate that they can also . . . |
Sample Practice Tasks
Students can develop/practice the skills needed to achieve this outcome by . . . |
- Evaluate multi-digit expressions using addition, subtraction with carrying or borrowing/trading
- Identify place value to 1,000,000
- Round whole numbers up to 1,000,000 place value
- Read, write and compare whole numbers to 1,000,000 in digits and words
- Represent mathematical ideas in concrete, pictorial and symbolic forms
- Use mathematical vocabulary and language to communicate concepts
- Translate a one-step addition or subtraction word problem into a mathematical expression
- Identify value of Canadian currency (coins and bills)
- Solve for the perimeter of a rectangle, triangle and square
- Draw and label the sides of regular shapes (rectangle, square, triangle)
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- Show the relationship between multiplication and repeated addition
- Recall multiplication facts up to 12 x 12
- Write numbers in expanded notation to 10,000
- Estimate sums and differences
- Multiply two whole numbers that are less than or equal to 10
- Multiply one-digit numbers by 10, 100, 1000
- Use key words: multiplier, multiple, multiplication, multiply, product, double/twice, triple, quadruple, by, of, carrying, borrowing, times, expanded notation, perimeter
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- Memorize 12 x 12 multiplication chart
- Write numbers as repeated additions or multiplication
- Calculate perimeter of a square and a rectangle
- Make change up to $1
- Scheduling
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Level 3 Math
Students need to demonstrate competency in these outcomes before progressing to the next level. In assessment, it may be determined that some of the outcomes have already been met. In this case, students will focus on the outcomes which still need to be achieved.
Learning Outcome
Students will be able to . . . |
Sub-outcomes/skills
By achieving this broader outcome, students will demonstrate that they can also . . . |
Sample Practice Tasks
Students can develop/practice the skills needed to achieve this outcome by . . . |
- Evaluate expressions using multiplication and division with carrying and with/without remainder
- Identify place value to 1,000,000
- Round whole numbers up to 1,000,000 place value
- Read, write and compare whole numbers to 1,000,000 in digits and words
- Represent mathematical ideas in concrete, pictorial and symbolic forms
- Use mathematical vocabulary and language to communicate concepts
- Translate a one-step addition or subtraction word problem into a mathematical expression
- Identify value of Canadian currency (coins and bills)
- Solve for the perimeter of a rectangle, triangle and square
- Draw and label the sides of regular shapes (rectangle, square, triangle)
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- Show the relationship between multiplication and division
- Recall multiplication and division facts up to 12 x 12
- Write numbers in expanded notation to 1,000,000
- Estimate products and quotients
- Multiply two whole numbers
- Divide whole numbers
- Use key words: multiplier, multiple, multiplication, multiply, product, double/twice, triple, quadruple, by, of, carrying, borrowing, times, expanded notation, perimeter
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- Memorize multiplication and division facts up to 12 x 12
- Write numbers as repeated additions or multiplication
- Calculate perimeter of a square and a rectangle
- Make change up to $1
- Scheduling
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Level 4 Math
Students need to demonstrate competency in these outcomes before progressing to the next level. In assessment, it may be determined that some of the outcomes have already been met. In this case, students will focus on the outcomes which still need to be achieved.
Learning Outcome
Students will be able to . . . |
Sub-outcomes/skills
By achieving this broader outcome, students will demonstrate that they can also . . . |
Sample Practice Tasks
Students can develop/practice the skills needed to achieve this outcome by . . . |
- Evaluate decimal expressions using addition subtraction, multiplication, and division
- Multiply and divide decimals by whole numbers
- Add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals
- Solve real-life problems involving decimals
- Recognize and use decimals in measurement (length, mass, capacity, temperature)
- Convert metric units (length, mass, capacity, temperature)
- Calculate the perimeter and area of squares and rectangles
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- Read and write decimals
- Apply or use examples of keywords: decimal, decimal place value, per, of, by
- Convert between dollars and cents
- Compare decimal values
- Translate word problems into mathematical expressions and/or equations
- Convert metric units without a conversion chart
- Apply and use metric examples of length, mass, capacity, and temperature
- Calculate perimeter and area of squares and rectangles
- Add and subtract same units and mixed metric units
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- Calculate unit price
- Solve for the best buy
- Calculate household expenses (make a budget)
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Level 5 Math
Students need to demonstrate competency in these outcomes before progressing to the next level. In assessment, it may be determined that some of the outcomes have already been met. In this case, students will focus on the outcomes which still need to be achieved.
Learning Outcome
Students will be able to . . . |
Sub-outcomes/skills
By achieving this broader outcome, students will demonstrate that they can also . . . |
Sample Practice Tasks
Students can develop/practice the skills needed to achieve this outcome by . . . |
- Use mathematical vocabulary and language to communicate the concept of fractions
- Compare and order fractions, mixed numbers, and decimals
- Add and subtract fractions with like and unlike denominators
- Multiply and divide fractions
- Solve real-life problems involving fractions
- Represent fractions, mixed numbers, and decimals in concrete, pictorial, and symbolic forms
- Use mathematical vocabulary and language to communicate the concept of decimals
- Compare and order decimals
- Add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals
- Solve real-life problems involving decimals
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- Define and use keywords like fraction, numerator, denominator, mixed numbers, equivalent fractions, whole numbers, long division, greater than, lesser than, equals, simplify
- Express a number as a product of prime numbers or composite numbers, recognize prime numbers, greatest common factor, simplify
- Comparison of fractions and long division of whole numbers
- Group equivalent fractions
- Calculate perimeter and area of squares and rectangles
- Determine least common denominator (LCD), least common multiple (LCM)
- Simplify and write equivalent fractions using addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, common denominator
- Use critical thinking in real-life math applications
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- Label parts of a fraction – 2/3 (numerator and denominator)
- Use an image to show a proper fraction and mixed number (e.g., drawing, manipulatives, shapes, etc.)
- Find the odd one (e.g., 1/2, 2/4, 3/6, 8/9)
- Use common fraction function on a calculator
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Level 6 Math
Students need to demonstrate competency in these outcomes before progressing to the next level. In assessment, it may be determined that some of the outcomes have already been met. In this case, students will focus on the outcomes which still need to be achieved.
Learning Outcome
Students will be able to . . . |
Sub-outcomes/skills
By achieving this broader outcome, students will demonstrate that they can also . . . |
Sample Practice Tasks
Students can develop/practice the skills needed to achieve this outcome by . . . |
- Use mathematical vocabulary and language to communicate the concept of percent
- Compare and order fractions, decimals, and percent
- Add, subtract, multiply, and divide percent
- Solve real-life problems involving percent
- Recognize and use percent in measurement
- Solve problems involving percent increase and decrease
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- Define and use keywords: percent, decimal, fraction, ratio, rate, proportion, per, of, by
- Explain the meaning of a percent
- Convert between percent, decimal, and fraction
- Calculate percent of a quantity
- Estimate and solve percent problems
- Find percent increase and decrease
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- Calculate sale prices and discounts
- Calculate sales tax and total cost
- Determine tips and gratuities
- Analyze percentage data in real-life situations
- Calculate simple and compound interest
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