Cheaper Alternatives to Kumon

Kumon is a popular after-school learning program. This idea is based on self-learning and repetition, with the goal of helping students develop strong math and reading skills. Students are given assignments and lessons that gradually increase in difficulty as they progress through the after-school program.

However, despite its many benefits, Kumon can be quite expensive for some families. Classes and materials can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars per year. This can be a significant barrier for many families, especially those on a tight budget.

Fortunately, there are several alternatives to Kumon that are much more affordable. These programs offer similar benefits, including self-learning and repetition, but at a fraction of the cost. Some examples of these cheaper alternatives to Kumon include Math-U-See, Saxon Math, Teaching Textbooks, and Learner.

1. Math-U-See

Math-U-See is a homeschooling math curriculum that is designed to be used by parents or tutors to teach math concepts to students of all ages. The program uses a multi-sensory approach, which means that it presents mathematical concepts through a variety of different mediums such as visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. This approach is intended to help students with different learning styles better understand and retain the material.

The program includes a student workbook, a teacher’s manual, and a set of DVDs that demonstrate the concepts being taught. The teacher’s manual provides detailed instructions on how to teach each concept, and the DVDs provide additional visual and auditory support. The program is designed to be used in a step-by-step manner, with each lesson building on the previous one, so that students can gradually gain a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts.

The cost of Math-U-See is significantly less than Kumon, and it can be used in the comfort of your own home, which makes it a popular choice among homeschoolers. This can be a great advantage for homeschooling parents who want to save money and have more control over their child’s education.

Benefits:

Drawbacks:

• It may require more time and effort from parents or tutors to teach the material
• Not as widely available as other math curriculum
• Less flexibility in terms of adapting the curriculum to student’s needs

Next on the list is…

2. Saxon Math

Saxon Math is a popular homeschooling math curriculum that is based on an incremental approach to math instruction. This means that new material is continually added to previously learned concepts, which helps students retain and understand the material better. 

The program is designed to be used in a spiral format, with students reviewing previously learned concepts throughout the program. This approach is intended to help students develop a deep understanding of mathematical concepts and to build a strong foundation for future mathematical studies.

This is one of the reasons why Saxon Math is widely used in many schools and homeschooling. They offer a comprehensive curriculum that covers all the major mathematical concepts, including arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. The program includes a student textbook, a set of problem sets, and a teacher’s manual. 

The teacher’s manual provides detailed instructions on how to teach each concept, and the problem sets to provide additional practice opportunities. The cost of Saxon Math materials is also less expensive than Kumon, making it a more affordable option for homeschooling parents. It is widely available, and it’s a well-established program that has been used for many years by many homeschoolers.

Benefits:

• An incremental approach to math instruction that helps students retain and understand the material better
• A spiral format that allows students to review previously learned concepts throughout the program
• A comprehensive curriculum that covers all major mathematical concepts
• It is less expensive than Kumon
• Widely available and well-established program

Drawbacks:

• The program may be more structured than other homeschooling options, which may not work well for some students or families
• Some students may find the program to be repetitive, which can make it less engaging
• It is not as flexible as other options, which means that parents may not be able to adapt it to their child’s individual needs as easily.

What is the future for Saxon Math?

Rumors have been circulating about Saxon Math potentially being discontinued, and that’s true. It turns out that there are two lines of Saxon Math textbooks: one for homeschooling and one for schools. 

The publisher, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, has announced that they plan to discontinue the school line this year. This includes Intermediate 3, 4, and 5, Course 1, 2, and 3, Algebra 1 and 2 4th edition, and Geometry. However, the homeschool line remains unaffected.

If you’re currently using the school line, don’t worry, you’ll still be able to find copies of the textbooks you need. And if you’re considering switching over to the homeschool line, it’s a seamless transition as the textbooks are very similar.

The third alternative on the list is?

3. Teaching Textbooks

Teaching Textbooks is a popular math curriculum designed for homeschooled students that utilizes interactive and engaging techniques to make learning math more enjoyable. It includes computer-graded assessments, which provide immediate feedback to students, as well as video lessons that explain math concepts in a clear and concise manner. 

The program also provides the structure and repetition that is often used in Kumon, which can help students to master math concepts more effectively. This can be particularly beneficial for students who struggle with math or have difficulty understanding it in a traditional classroom setting. 

Overall, Teaching Textbooks can be a great choice for homeschooling families as they can offer an interactive and effective way for students to master math concepts.

Benefits:

• An interactive and engaging approach to learning math
• Computer-graded assessments
• Video lessons to make learning more enjoyable
• Provides structure and repetition to help students master math concepts
• A popular choice among homeschooling families
• Provides structure and repetition similar to Kumon
• Can be a more cost-effective option than Kumon
• Designed to be self-paced, allowing students to work at their own pace

Drawbacks:

• May be more expensive than other options
• Some students may find the computer-graded assessments less personalized or less helpful than human feedback
• May not be adaptable to different learning styles
• Some students may prefer a more traditional teacher-led approach
• Some students may not benefit from the repetitive nature of the program

And last but not least is…

4. Learner

Learner is an online math tutoring service that connects students with specialized tutors who are experts in the field. The service is designed to match students with tutors who are best suited to their specific needs and level of difficulty. 

This ensures that students receive personalized instruction and support that is tailored to their individual learning style and abilities. The tutors provided by Learner are world-class experts in their field, and are able to assist students of all levels, from elementary school to college and beyond. 

The service can be accessed online, making it convenient for students to receive help whenever and wherever they need it. Additionally, Learner provides a range of resources and materials to support student learning and progress, including practice problems, quizzes, and interactive tutorials.

The cost of “Learner” can vary depending on the package you choose and the number of hours of tutoring you need. Still, it’s generally considered more expensive than other alternatives such as Math-U-See or Saxon Math.

Benefits:

• Personalized instruction and support tailored to the student’s individual needs and level of difficulty
• World-class experts in the field as tutors
• The convenience of being able to access the service online and receive help whenever and wherever needed
• Additional resources and materials to support student learning and progress

Drawbacks:

• Generally considered more expensive than other alternatives
• The service is not widely available
• It’s an online tutoring service, which means that the student will not have direct interaction with the teacher, it will be on the computer.
• The student may not be able to find a perfect match for a tutor according to their specific needs.

Conclusion:

While Kumon may be a popular choice for math tutoring, there are several alternatives that offer similar benefits at a more affordable cost. These alternatives include programs such as Math-U-See, Saxon Math, Teaching Textbooks, and Learner, as well as online tutoring options like “TutorMe” and “Chegg“.

These options are often led by certified teachers or college students with a strong math background, and they offer one-to-one instruction to meet the individual needs of each student. By considering these alternatives, parents can make an informed decision about a math program that fits their budget and aligns with their child’s learning style.