Spark PILOT 2017 [Kumon Oak Bay Victoria] Spark PILOT 2017 [Kumon Oak Bay Victoria] | Page 11

S PA R K M a g a z i n e | P I L O T 2 0 1 7 KUM O N ST U DI E S 11 Basic Skills in Math • Developing Correction Ability is a gradual process ensuring that students are not afraid to make mistakes and can learn from their mistakes. • By developing students’ Mental Calculation skills early on, students can begin developing Calculation Efficiency for smooth progression to higher levels. Keisha Wade The objective of the Kumon Math program in terms of academic ability is to make the study of high school math easy. However, Toru Kumon emphasized that it has another important aim: to instill in students the skills and mindset for self-learning, or learning what they have not encountered yet without being taught, and continuing to advance independently. UPIM, 1.2 The greatest strength of the Kumon Math worksheets is that they are for self-learning. The worksheets incorporate methods for introducing new content in a way that enables students to understand it independently, even after they exceed school grade level. For example, when a concept is introduced for the first time, in many instances students are first given example problems. By carefully examining these problems, students form connections in their minds between the new type of problem and topics that they already studied. This process, in turn, develops their ability to reason and think analogically. In addition, the worksheets increase in difficulty in small increments in order for students to advance on their own more easily. UPIM, 1.3 I n order for math students to develop the skills and mindset for self-learning, Instructors need to train them on basic skills in each level. Here is an overview of three key math basic skills: By developing these basic skills, students can study the Kumon Math worksheets more smoothly through self-learning. LEARNING FROM THE WORKSHEETS Learning from the worksheets is the manner in which to study by following the instructions on the worksheets, and the habit of studying and learning from example problems and guides. Learning from the worksheets is a way for students to develop their self-learning ability. When we train students on how to learn from the worksheets, we aim for students to know how to use all of the elements on each worksheet the way they were designed to be used, so that students are able to self-learn through the Kumon worksheets. As early as Level 7A, students can begin to learn from the worksheets. They will continue to develop this skill through Levels D and E, as they study and learn from the examples. By developing this skill early on, when faced with a challenge, students can use the worksheet and their previous knowledge to complete the new problems. PREVIOUS EXERCISES Throughout the Kumon Math Program, there are many worksheets where Instructors can use previous exercises and problems as a reference or hint for students who may need assistance. Gradually students can reference other problems on their own. The use of previous exercises begins as early as Level 7A, where Instructors can use one exercise of dots to guide students to recognize the amount of dots in a second exercise. • By Learning From the Worksheets, students are trained to study the worksheets effectively by carefully reading the instructions, examples, and guides so that they can learn more on their own. [email protected] WINTER 2013 VOICES 15