Singapore Math 1A review

Because I'm such a curriculum lover... I've been eagerly waiting to see this. So far, I've only given it a cursory view but I already know this is one curriculum I cannot really review until after we've used it.

My first reaction was disappointment. I'm shocked at how "easy" it is. I expected harder material (perhaps the "1A" made me think it was for first graders?). There are not many concepts being taught in it and what is there is very basic. Aidan will breeze through the book in no time. The pages and lessons are similar to many of the cheap workbooks I've picked up. Of course the difference is that there is a logical progression of concepts and it's set up in a textbook format.

I DO like the way it shows a couple of different ways to learn and/or think about a concept. I also like the practice book and workbook. They're more to my taste... black and white and simple. The textbook is bright and "busy" looking with cartoon-like pictures. I doubt very much that I'll sit Aidan down and walk her through the books. I imagine I'll look at the page and then explain it to her with our own manipulatives.

I've realized finally that in our case... with elementary math... it's unnecessary to have a curriculum. I easily can teach these ideas with my own initiative and random workbooks.

If LIFE calms down and we get back to school then my plan is to use Singapore as a spine and if needed (or perhaps just for fun??) stretch out lessons by using additional pages from various workbooks. I will also add additional lessons on other concepts from other resources. Saxon K... I may still use for ideas on what to teach... but mostly because I feel bad dumping it.

Addendum: Okay, when I wrote this I had not looked at the Home Instructor's Guide. Looking through it.. my opinion is now much higher of this program. The Guide really brings everything together into a good, solid curriculum instead of just a bunch of worksheets thrown in a book. There are also good suggestions for teaching the new concepts and games you can play to reinforce them. The program can be used without the Guide but it markedly improves it.