Kumon Math Curriculum - Learning Materials

Kumon Math Table of Learning Material consists of; 7A 6A 5A 4A 3A 2A A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O (Level O official program completion)

X SETS (Electives)

7A
Students count up to 10 pictures and dots individually and as a group. Mastery is gradual and the eventual goal is for students to be able to say the total number of objects in each group without counting. Number sequencing is reinforced through the use of the Magnetic Number Board.

6A
Students count up to 30 using pictures and numbers. Gradually, students learn to recognize groups of up to 20 dots without counting them individually. Number sequencing is reinforced through the use of the Magnetic Number Board.

5A
Students learn to use a pencil through line tracing exercises, beginning with short lines and advancing to long curved lines. The curved lines gradually take the shape of large numbers. This develops the fine motor skills needed to trace and write numbers independently and teaches the natural stroke order required for number formation. Students also develop their concentration ability and learn to recite numbers up to 50.

4A
Students learn to write numbers up to 120 independently. Students also work with patterns up to 20 dots. By learning to recognize the numbers of dots in a group without counting, students become better prepared for the addition exercises in later levels. By the end of the Level, students learn to count up to 220.

3A
Building on a strong sense of number sequencing from Level 4A, students are introduced to addition in Level 3A. At first, students master + 1, +2, through +5 individually. The last 20 sheets of this Level are dedicated to random addition questions from + 1 to +5.


2A
In this Level, students learn to add through to +10 automatically. This is also the Level where they learn subtraction, subtracting up to -9 by the end. It is very important that students master the contents of this Level for smooth progress in subsequent levels. Level 2A greatly develops a student's speed and concentration.

A
Level A continues horizontal addition and subtraction but with larger numbers than in Level 2A. This important level develops the mental calculation ability of students. By the end of it, students will be able to add advanced questions like +200 and subtract from numbers as big as 20.

B
This Level teaches vertical addition and subtraction. Throughout it, students will encounter their first word problems in Kumon. This Level draws on the advanced mental calculation skills learned in previous levels when students "carry" in addition questions and "borrow" in questions involving subtraction. Mastery of Level B greatly reduces errors in multiplication and division in Levels C and D.

C
Students master the multiplication tables by practicing until they can answer immediately. Next, students learn up to 4-digit by 1-digit multiplication with mental carryovers. Once multiplication is mastered, simple division by one digit is introduced. Students who have developed good mental calculation ability will not have to write division steps.

D
Students learn double digits multiplication before advancing to long division. In this challenging section, students develop estimation skills that will be necessary for future fraction work. Once students' ability to work with all 4 arithmetic operations is confirmed, they begin to study fractions, learning to reduce using the Greatest Common Factor.

E
Students learn to add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions. Proper intermediate steps are emphasized. At the end of the level, students learn basic fraction/decimal conversions.

F
Students continue calculations with fractions, now employing the order of operations. Level F contains a challenging section of word problems, as well as more work with decimals.

G
Students are introduced to positive and negative numbers, as well as to basic algebra. Students use their previously learned four operations skills to master linear equations. A word problem set rounds off the level, allowing students to apply everything they have learned in Level G.

H
Students will learn to solve simultaneous linear equations in two to four variables. Concepts of numerical and algebraic value are strengthened. Students are introduced to transforming equations, inequalities, functions and graphs.

I
This level thoroughly reviews Levels G and H and introduces factorization. Factorization is an essential skill to advance to square roots and quadratic equations, also covered in the level. The level concludes with advanced topics in geometry, specifically related to the Pythagorean Theorem.

J
Concepts learned through Level I are expanded and reinforced. Students are introduced to irrational numbers and advanced factoring methods.

K
Level K introduces students to types of functions, such as exponential and trigonometric, and their corresponding graphics, The skills developed here will ease students in to the calculus exercises of Level M.

L
Level L marks the beginning of calculus. Students begin by studying logarithmic functions, followed by basic differentiation and definite and indefinite integration. The level concludes with an analysis of applications of integration, including areas, volumes, velocity and distance.

M
Level M marks the beginning of the calculus levels. Students begin by studying series and sequences and continue on to basic differentiation and definite and indefinite integration. Level M concludes with an analysis of the applications of integration.

N
Level N, students move beyond basic calculus applications learned in Level M to topics in vector analysis and linear algebra. To complete the level, students study mappings and transformations.

O
Level O builds upon topics learned in Level M and introduces students to a more advanced study of series and sequences, limits and differentiation. Students also experience the applications of differential calculus, specifically with regard to minima and maxima.

X SETS
Cover various topics more in depth e.g Triangles, Vectors, vectors and application of vectors etc, Matrix definitaions, matrix multiplications, mapping etc,

A great milestone coming up, your child entering Grade one!

Be prepared early...........Our Early Learner Program is growing rapidly. Please consider enrolling the younger siblings too. When all children in a family are enrolled in the program, doing Kumon homework naturally becomes part of the family routine - even over vacations. If any of your children are going to enroll in Grade I in September, then this is an especially good time for them to join Kumon.                                 

Dear Parents,

We have officially "sprung forward," bringing longer days and the promise of spring. This time of year also brings increase in activities: soccer, baseball, track, swimming and simply getting outside to play after a winter thaw. Additionally, students may find pressure from school to complete the curriculum before the year ends, meaning a pile-up of projects and homework.

Even with additional activities and the pull of the outdoors, I encourage you to keep Kumon as a part of your daily routine. Naturally, you may encounter some spring fever resistance! Consistent Kumon study will ensure your child stays on track, keeping skills finely tuned.

These skills will serve kids over time. One former student, MIT undergraduate Frederick Wang said: You might be surprised to hear that some people at MIT are struggling with math, but it happens. I see some kids in my dorm staying up all night trying to get their homework done. Not me. Kumon gave me a strong math background so that I didn't struggle with my homework like some of my peers.

Learning math is like climbing a staircase: each step is essential to move up to the next. If just one step is weak or broken, it can result in the student sliding backwards and losing confidence. Mathematics enables mankind to unlock cosmic mysteries, achieve break-through understanding of chromosomal structure or disease prevention - and create mind-blowing technology.

Don't we all want our children be prepared for the higher education they need in order to obtain work that is challenging, fulfilling and impacts the world around them? That is my greatest hope for all my students!

Kumon worksheets may appear basic and repetitive - yet they serve to instill the skills that, once mastered, serve as building blocks to more challenging mathematics.

It was gratifying to hear from parents in the last three weeks following school reports. Some called to share that their children's school teachers actually commented how disciplined, focused and organized their child had become! We don't just teach math and reading. Our program fosters many other skills that help to develop independent learners.

Please do get in touch if you need to adjust your workload or schedule in order to keep up with spring activities. I am always available for a parent conference and highly recommend that you schedule one every 6 months.                                 
Sanjit Kaur

Dear Parents,

Happy New Year! Hope your family is feeling settled back into the school routine after a long break.

I would like to congratulate the large percentage of students who completed all the work over the holidays - and even bigger kudos to those who completed all corrections at home!

January is a natural time for people to take pause - to evaluate, prioritize, and set goals for the seasons ahead. I would like to propose a New Year's resolution for every family to make grading and correcting homework a higher priority. This grading and correcting is so helpful for students, allowing them to spend less time at the center on corrections and more on exploring new work. They catch errors and master content more quickly so they need less repetition. So please help us help your child establish good learning habits - as academic success isn't possible without them.

Steps to Learning Success at Home...

• Help Children Prioritize Talk with your children about current activities and write out a priority list. Your and your child's priorities show what you value. Make sure your kids know that you place a high value on learning.
  
• Facilitate a Good Environment Kids learn better in a quiet space with minimal distractions. Turn off the media. Provide good lighting, a space where there's room to write, plenty of pencils, erasers, and a clock to track time. When it comes to homework, children can be sneaky, so keep an eye out to make sure that they are actually doing the work.
  
• Slow it Down Kids have a tendency to rush through their work, wanting to get it over with instead of approaching it with full attention. Many don't practice or value the "basics", such as good handwriting, organization, reading instructions and even making neat, legible corrections. Encourage your children to read and work slowly and neatly with care.
  
• Stay Consistent With busy and changing schedules, this may be the most difficult habit to establish. Set a specific time for your children to complete their Kumon work every day - even on weekends and holidays.

Did you know that it typically takes 21 to 30 days to form a new habit? Like starting an exercise or diet program, it can take time to see desired results. We have established that it takes most students 3 months in Kumon in order to internalise this method of learning and form a disciplined habit. It takes most students 6-9 months to catch up to grade level and within 2 years most Kumon students are working at least 1 year beyond their grade level.

Several families have commented on how much it has helped that all of their children are now enrolled in Kumon. Even during the holiday they woke, ate breakfast and tackled their Kumon for the day. It took a while, many months, to establish the habit but with consistency, it is now just a part of the fabric of their lives. A parent even told me that while packing for a summer trip to France, she was pleasantly surprised, when the first thing that her three boys packed in their suitcases was their Kumon homework!

This year, we will be working on helping each student set and make progress on their individual goals. Apart from instruction in class, we also plan to use email to provide students with specific guidance to help them reach the next level sooner. We aim for all our students to achieve program completion by the time they reach Grade 10-11. This will give them more time to focus on Year 11 and 12 which brings about its own challenges both personal as well as in high school.

As always, please don't hesitate to contact me any time with questions, concerns, or news. I wish your family health, happiness, and success in 2013.

Warm regards,

Ms. Sanjit Kaur
613.270.0440
sanjitkaur@ikumon.com

The Benefit Of Struggle

Dear Parent,
This time of year seems to pick up momentum like a snowball on a steep downhill slope! School projects, exams, events and holiday preparation culminate with vacation and busy time with friends and family.
Students may feel weary, especially in the face of additional school tasks and activities. It can cause parents to wonder, "Am I pushing too hard?" Only individual parents can answer that question, according to their family priorities and individual child.
It's almost always hard to watch your child struggle - in sports, relationships or, school. We all have experienced, and likely told our children, that facing and overcoming difficulty produces character. Yet when it comes to seeing our children having a hard time, many parents' first instinct is to eliminate the struggle.

But is that right?
Kevin Washburn, in his article "A necessary struggle: Deep practice and skill mastery," says parents shouldn't be so quick to remove struggle, especially when it comes to learning. In fact, he asserts, it is struggle that leads to real, permanent learning.

Click here (http://smartblogs.com/education/2012/09/28/a-necessary-struggle-deep-practice-skill-mastery/) to read his full article. He cites the work of author Daniel Coyle from his book "The Talent Code: Greatness Isn't Born. It's grown. Here's how." Coyle's conclusion is that "deep practice" is key to top performance.
The Kumon method supports this theory of learning. What I find most interesting is his idea of how to apply this theory in the classroom. He notes that slowing down initial practice, increasing challenge to the point of struggle, and then broadening the context - helping kids see the bigger picture of applying knowledge - are the means to long-term mastery.
Isn't the same true in sports? Ongoing practice builds stamina and skill which leads to muscle memory and an innate sense for the game. That's how players excel and teams win.
In the same way, the Kumon method builds discipline and "learning muscles," leading to permanent knowledge. It develops the skills and stamina to succeed in school and meet challenges head-on, both in and outside the classroom.

Keep up the effort and good work! Kumon, even when it's a struggle, is helping to "grow greatness" as your children progress.
Warm regards,
Ms. Sanjit Kaur
613.270.0440
sanjitkaur@ikumon.com
Kumon of Kanata North

Learning English........A Mania or here to stay?

Learning the English language to make a better world. Ever thought about it from that perspective?

Jay Walker explains why two billion people around the world are trying to learn English. He shares photos and spine-tingling audio of Chinese students rehearsing English -- "the world's second language" -- by the thousands.

Watch this video to understand how English can be considered a mania or if its here to stay.

http://www.ted.com/talks/jay_walker_on_the_world_s_english_mania.html

click on the link above or copy and paste it on your browser.

The Kumon program is present in 46 countries and regions of the world. There are over 4.250, 000 children enrolled in this program.

What is Your Kumon Story?

This story just came up today in our Kumon instructors forum and I have choosen to forward it via my blog too.

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We received a terrific blog post from an influential mom blogger today. The blogger’s name is Pauline Karwowski and she writes a personal blog called “Classy Chaos.” The post is titled “Our Kumon Story”, and shares Pauline’s two-year experience in Kumon with her 8-year-old son, Jay, and how he ultimately achieved confidence and a love of math – which is priceless.

Please read the parent responses to the post. You’ll see first-hand how a personal experience can relate to many of your sentiments and and help share the true value of Kumon learning.

Direct link: http://www.classychaos.com/links-topmenu-20/685-allaboutkumon

Congratulations to the Ohio Instructor leading Jay through our math program!
Sincerely,
Branding Department