Independent Learning Theoretical Description
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Stage Level
Content
Critique Block Stage V
L Figurative
Language, Interpretation,
Tragedy, Critical Writing
K Plot, Setting and Atmosphere, Irony, Comedy,
Content Evaluation J
An Introduction to Critique, Essay Structure, Character Analysis
Summary Block Stage IV
I Persuasion, Argument, Description, Precise
HI HII
Reading Perspectives, Paragraph Connections, Character Variations, Summary Method Level H,
Summarizing over Paragraph GI
GII Reading
Impressions, Identifying
Paragraph Elements, Identifying Sentiment, Summary Method
Level G, Summarizing a Single Paragraph
Paragraph Building Block
Stage III FI FII
Referring Words, Interpreting Text, requirement of Questions, Unraveling Text, Recounting Story
Events, Concision EI EII
Links within Sentences, Diagramming Paragraphs, Scene Transition, Underlining Reason and Result
DI DII
Complex Sentence Analysis, Statement from Paragraphs,
Topic, Main
Idea, paragraph
Development
Sentence Building Block Stage II
CI CII
Part of a Sentence, Expression of Language, Sentence Construction, Elements of Statements,
Organizing Information, Synthesizing Ideas BI
BII Subject and Predicate, Expressions in the Past,
Modifiers, Making Statements, Defining Words, Identifying Ideas, Comparing and Contrasting
AI AII
Simple Sentences, Basic Expressions, Making Short Sentences, Writing from Memory, Sentence Topics,
Thought Sequence
Word Building Block Stage I
2A Word Puzzle, Function of Words, Oral Reading
3A Spelling Patterns, Take the Tail, Syllables, Sentence
Copying 4A
Familiar Letter Combinations, Rhyming Skills, Sentence Tracing
5A Letter Tracing, Sound Parts, Word Tracing
6A Simple Phrases, Familiar Sentence Structures
7A Familiar Words, Word Stories
Table 2.1.4 Kumon Programmes Kumon Educational, 2011
and with confidence. Kumon program is started from introducing vocabulary and teaching basic reading skills. “Students go on to learn about sentence structure,
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paragraph building summarization and critical reading.” Kumon Educational, 2011. From table 2.1.4, it shows the stages of Kumon
’s curriculum. Kumon has six stages. One stage has some levels of study. For example, stage I has some
levels, they are 7A until 2A. Each level has different content. Before attending Kumon English Course, children will have a placement
test. The placement test in Kumon is to help students to study at their own learning level. It is clear that Kumon English Course is made to help children to conceive
their English skills based on their ability. Although Kumon just focuses on children’s interest in reading, Kumon also pays attention in the others English
skills. While doing worksheet writing, children must be listening and speaking with CD-textbook. The implementation of independent learning in Kumon English
Course is explained as follow:
Children will usually study two days a week in their local centre, and five days a week at home. At the centre, the instructor will select suitable work
for the children and will monitor their progress, providing targeted support and
feedback. The parents will need to mark and grade their child’s work on the days they study at home. This input is vital to success of the children’s
study, and will mean they learn from corrections daily. Praise and encouragement are also invaluable. Kumon Educational, 2011
Therefore, children are studying not only in that local centre the building of Kumon English Course
but also in their home. For example, children come to class every Tuesdays and Fridays. However, the rest days Wednesdays,
Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays children should study in their home with some worksheets as homework. From that statement, it shows that