FSL 11+ Course - Week 18

Week 18 – What We Cover

This week, we work on the following:

Verbal Reasoning: Number Sequences (FSL Green book, pages 43-44)

Click for a Number Sequences how to sheet to explain this Verbal Reasoning type, or you can watch my video here.

Non-Verbal Reasoning: CGP Spatial Book, Test 1

Spatial Non-Verbal work focusses on ‘visualisation’ question types. It doesn’t always come up in the 11+ exam, and there is no real method to these questions, children tend to either see them or they don’t – they will have lots of practice on these over the summer, but it’s very common not to like them! In today’s session we talk through the different example questions at the start of the book, then children work through the first test (not timed).

Maths: Algebra (FSL Red Book, pages 54-55)

In this session, we work through basic equations and collecting ‘like’ terms. This is a good example of 11+ work that is way beyond their years in school, and naturally most children find it a little tough at first. Here are a few tips:

  1. Firstly, it’s worth them learning to write the algebraic ‘x’ (that looks like two c’s back to back) so they can differentiate between it and the normal multiplication sign (a normal x). 

  2. An expression like 7y means the same as 7 multiplied by y. So when y = 6, 7y = 42, for example.

  3. An ‘expression’ is just a phrase that involves a variable (the letter) and an operation ( +, x, – or ÷), e.g. 4c + k, whereas an ‘equation’ involves something to be solved, e.g. 2h + 5 = 17 (so h must be 6).

We also talk about creating formulae for word problems. For example, if a plumber charges a £50 call-out fee for whatever appointment he has, then £30 per hour (h) for every hour he works on the job, the formula for this would be 50 + 30h.

The main thing to note though is that the ‘letter’ part of the formula will always represent something that is ‘changeable’ – i.e. the number of hours worked, how long something is hired for, the number of guests etc. but a ‘flat fee’ (like a hire fee or call-out charge) won’t ever vary – it should always be included, but as a separate part of the formula (i.e. nowhere near any letters!).

For a list of the homework this week, please see below:

Week 18 – Homework

  • FSL Grey Course Homework Book 2 (pages 33-41)

  • CGP NVR Spatial Book Test 2 (not timed)