Kumon Writing Workbooks

Description

Attractive and easy to use, these workbooks provide writing (appropriately intertwined with grammar) and vocabulary skills aligned to state writing standards. Instruction is minimal and relies on examples, but concepts are presented in a logically sequential order that promotes both understanding and competence with lots of opportunity for practice and reinforcement. There are 34 lessons, each with 3-4 sections, plus 2 review lessons. A complete answer key is included in each book. To give you an idea of the instructional progression utilized in the series, consider this lesson Writing Two Paragraphs - from the end of the 3rd grade book. The first section has the student complete a two paragraph description of a bakery by choosing descriptive words from a list. The second section asks questions What does the bakery smell like? How are the cookies shaped? What can you hear inside the bakery? What does the writers favorite doughnut feel like? These questions are obviously designed to get the student to think about what he "experienced" as he read the bakery description. The third section has the student complete (fill in the blanks) another two-paragraph description by using information in a chart that has a set of descriptive words for each sense (i.e. sight - brightly colored flowers). The final section asks the student to write two paragraphs (from scratch) describing the lunchroom and to include details detected by each of the five senses. This kind of progressive instruction is repeated in each lesson and throughout the books. 90 pgs, sc. ~ Janice

Teaching Method
Traditional
Teacher-centered curriculum commonly used in classrooms that may include a text, teacher manual, tests, etc.
Charlotte Mason
A methodology based on the work of a 19th century educator who maintained that children learn best from literature (Living Books), not textbooks.
Classical
A methodology based on the Latin Trivium (three stages of learning), including the grammar stage (memorization and facts), logic stage (critical thinking), and rhetoric stage (developing/defending ideas).
Unit Study
A thematic or topical approach centered around one topic that integrates multiple subject areas.
Montessori (Discovery)
A methodology based on the work of a 20th century educator that emphasizes student and sensory-driven discovery learning and real-life applications.
Other
Other methodologies
Religious Content
Secular
Contains content contrary to common Christian beliefs (i.e. evolution).
Neutral
Avoids religious or theoretical topics or presents multiple viewpoints without preference.
Christian/Religious
Faith-based or including instructional religious content.
Learning Modality
Auditory
Learns through listening, talking out loud or reading out loud.
Visual
Learns through seeing, prefers written instructions and visual materials.
Kinesthetic/Tactile (Hands-On)
Learns through moving, doing and touching.
Multi-Sensory
Curriculum that employ a variety of activities/components.
Presentation
Sequential
Curriculum progresses through well-defined learning objectives. Emphasizes mastery before moving to the next topic.
Spiral
Topics and concepts are repeated from level to level, adding more depth at each pass and connecting with review.
Conceptual/Topical
Focus is on the “why,” often with a unifying concept as well as specific skills; coverage may be broader.
Teacher Involvement
Low Teacher Involvement
Student-led materials; parent acts as a facilitator.
Medium Teacher Involvement
A mix of teacher-led time and independent student work.
High Teacher Involvement
Teacher-led lessons; may utilize discussions, hands-on activities and working together.
Additional Materials Required
No other materials needed
Everything you need is included.
Other Materials Required
There are additional required resources that are a separate purchase.
Other Materials Optional
There are additional resources mentioned or recommended but are not absolutely necessary.
Consumable
Consumable
Designed to be written in; not reusable.
Non-Consumable
Not designed to be written in; reusable.