I found the California standards materials interesting for a different
reason. The writers explicitly reject telling teachers how to achieve
the standards. And the standards are tough. A lot of us would struggle
with parts of the 6th grade curriculum, I am pretty sure (me first!).
The positive model for the tough minded: Why Singapore of course. Now
there's a model society that can be a real pain in the behind if you
don't get behind it! :-)
mike