The start of a projected 6-volume course (we'll see!), these three workbooks for kindergarten through second grade introduce children to primary math skills such as counting, basic addition and subtraction, telling time, and numeral recognition. Logical sequence of topics and lots of drill and repetition help young children gain proficiency in new skills. While this makes progress somewhat slower than other courses (like Singapore or Horizons), it ensures student competence.

The student workbooks aren't flashy—just limited color and a few cute drawings (some by Vic Lockman)—but there are plenty of activities on each page to reinforce concepts. The teacher's manuals offer limited instructional aids and suggestions for games and activities; there are no answers to problems (though you shouldn't need them, this is really basic math). Also included in the first grade teacher's manual are tests to be given periodically.

This is a teacher-dependent curriculum, but nearly all math courses are at this level. Kindergarten and first grade children are just starting to learn in a formal setting, and need someone to guide them. Including teacher preparation, CLP math should take around a half-hour each day. This is not a complex program; basic skills are presented in the teacher's manual and complementary problems and activities in the student text allow kids to become familiar with them.

Our Honest Opinion:

These aren't the most unique or special math books, but they're straightforward and make sense. The main drawback right now is that there are no follow-up books. CLP encourages parents to switch to MCP math after second grade, and go on to Saxon for junior high and above. The main advantage is price—CLP has managed to keep their prices far more affordable than any other full-year curriculum we've seen. Check out the samples and see what you think.

Review by C. Hollis Crossman
C. Hollis Crossman used to be a child. Now he's a husband and father who loves church, good food, and weird stuff. He might be a mythical creature, but he's definitely not a centaur. Read more of his reviews here.