Kumon method

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The Kumon Method, created by Japanese educator Toru Kumon, is the largest Maths and Language educational system in the world ^[1]. As of March 2007, over 4 million children were studying under the Kumon Method at more than 26,000 Kumon Centers in 45 countries. In North America, over 240,000 Kumon students are studying at more than 1,400 Kumon Centers in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S.^[2]

Contents 1 History 2 The programs 2.1 The Kumon Mathematics program 2.2 The Kumon Reading program 2.3 Variation of programs throughout the world 3 The Thinking Face Logo 4 References

[edit] History

Main article: Toru Kumon

[edit] The programs

Students do not work together as a class but progress through the curriculum at their own pace, moving on to the next level when they have achieved mastery of the previous level.^[3] This sometimes involves repeating the same set of worksheets until the student achieves a satisfactory score within a specified time limit.

[edit] The Kumon Mathematics program

Students take a diagnostic test to find out at what math level they should start.^[4] Through worksheet packets of increasing difficulty, repeated as necessary, the goal is for the student to master each concept. There are a series of levels where individual concepts are mastered. The levels range from counting numbers to advanced calculus and statistics.

[edit] The Kumon Reading program

In the U.S, U.K., New Zealand, Canada, and Australia, the Kumon Reading program (commonly referred to as the Reading Program or the English Programme) begins with pre-reading skills, including phonetics and phonemics, letter-sound recognition, and sound blending and progresses to advanced reading skills, such as summary of texts, interpretation of texts, and critical reading in the higher levels.

[edit] Variation of programs throughout the world

While the mathematics program is the same worldwide, the language program varies regionally. For example, the Chinese reading program in Taiwan is different from the Chinese reading programs in Hong Kong and Singapore, and the English program in the U.S., Canada, and the Philippines varies from the English program in the United Kingdom. Additionally, Kumon Korea has other subjects, such as science, calligraphy, Korean, and Chinese characters, which are not available elsewhere.

[edit] The Thinking Face Logo

Around 2002, Kumon released a new company logo in Japan named the Thinking Face. The logo was released in the United States in March, 2003. This logo consists of the letter "o" in "Kumon" being replaced with an image of a child engaged in thought, which symbolizes learning.

[edit] References

1. ^ Around the World in 80 ideas. Retrieved on 2008-03-14.
2. ^ As Math Scores Lag, a New Push for the Basics, New York Times, November 14, 2006.
3. ^ Emily Yoffe: I'm a math moron. No, really, you don't understand - I'm a math moron.. Slate, November 14, 2006
4. ^ Kumon North America. Retrieved on 2007-08-23.