Grade Level Support

Overview

Sunschool provides age-appropriate content for learners from kindergarten (age 5) through high school (age 18+). Each grade level has unique content constraints, vocabulary limits, and pedagogical approaches.

K-2 (Ages 5-7): Early Childhood

Learning Characteristics

Vocabulary

About 2,000 simple words total

Reading Ability

Just learning to read

Attention Span

5-10 minutes per activity

Thinking Style

Only concrete, observable concepts

Content Constraints

// From server/prompts/grades/gradeK2.ts:8
ABSOLUTE REQUIREMENTS - NO EXCEPTIONS:
- Maximum 5 words per sentence (count carefully!)
- Maximum 75 words total for entire lesson
- Only use words a kindergartner knows (mom, dad, cat, dog, hot, cold)
- Only concrete things they can SEE, TOUCH, SMELL, TASTE, or HEAR
- NO abstract concepts whatsoever

Allowed Vocabulary

Nouns
Adjectives
Verbs
Numbers

mom, dad, sun, moon, water, food, home, dog, cat, tree, flower, bird, fish, car, ball

Banned Words

The following words are strictly prohibited for K-2: process, system, adapt, environment, organism, function, structure, cycle, energy, nutrient, habitat, ecosystem, photosynthesis, cells, molecules, chemical, reaction, evolution, species, analyze, investigate, relationship, comparison, characteristic, property, complex, various, numerous, significant, essential, important, therefore, however, although, because

Quiz Questions

Questions must be extremely simple:

"Is the sun hot?"
Options: ["Yes", "No", "Maybe", "I don't know"]

"How many legs?"
Options: ["1", "2", "3", "4"]

"Is water wet?"
Options: ["Yes", "No", "Sometimes", "Never"]

Math Notation

// From server/prompts/grades/gradeK2.ts:203
- Count to 20 only
- Simple addition: 2 + 3 = __
- No subtraction beyond 10
- Use objects: 🍎🍎 + 🍎 = __
- Show fingers for counting

Grade 3-4 (Ages 8-10): Developing Readers

Learning Characteristics

Vocabulary

4,000-6,000 words

Reading Speed

100-150 words per minute

Comprehension

Understanding cause and effect

Instructions

Can follow 2-3 step instructions

Content Constraints

// From server/prompts/grades/grade34.ts:8
STRICT REQUIREMENTS:
- Maximum 8 words per sentence (count carefully!)
- Maximum 200 words total for entire lesson
- Use grade 3-4 vocabulary ONLY (no high school or college words)
- Introduce ONE new concept at a time
- Connect to experiences familiar to 8-10 year olds
- Use concrete examples they can visualize

Appropriate Vocabulary

Science
Math
Descriptive

animals, plants, water, air, heat, light, grow, change, measure

add, subtract, multiply, divide, fraction, equal, pattern, shape

Banned Words

molecular, cellular, genetic, heredity, chromosomes, proteins,
enzymes, metabolism, symbiosis, photosynthesis, respiration,
mitosis, polynomial, quadratic, exponential, logarithm, 
derivative, integral, theorem, hypothesis, subsequently,
furthermore, nevertheless, consequently, complexity

Math Notation

// From server/prompts/grades/grade34.ts:196
- Multiplication: 7 × 8 = __
- Division: 56 ÷ 7 = __
- Fractions: 1/2, 1/4, 3/4
- Word problems with 2 steps
- Numbers up to 10,000

Grade 5-6 (Ages 10-12): Abstract Thinkers

Learning Characteristics

Vocabulary

10,000+ words

Reading Speed

150-200 words per minute

Thinking

Can think abstractly

Processes

Follow multi-step processes

Content Constraints

// From server/prompts/grades/grade56.ts:8
REQUIREMENTS:
- Maximum 12 words per sentence average
- Maximum 400 words total
- Introduce academic vocabulary with context
- Build conceptual understanding
- Include cause-effect relationships

Question Distribution

// From server/prompts/grades/grade56.ts:58
- Factual knowledge (20%): "What is...", "Which one..."
- Conceptual understanding (40%): "How does...", "Why is..."
- Application skills (40%): "How would you...", "What happens if..."

Math Notation

// From server/prompts/grades/grade56.ts:171
- Decimals: 3.45 × 2.1 = __
- Fractions: 3/4 + 2/3 = __
- Percentages: 15% of 80 = __
- Basic algebra: 3x + 5 = 20
- Area and volume formulas
- Ratios: 3:5 = 12:__

Grade 7-8 (Ages 12-14): Critical Thinkers

Learning Characteristics

Vocabulary

50,000+ words

Reading Speed

200-250 words per minute

Analysis

Analyze multiple viewpoints

Synthesis

Synthesize information

Content Constraints

// From server/prompts/grades/grade78.ts:8
REQUIREMENTS:
- Complex sentence structures acceptable
- Maximum 700 words total
- Use subject-specific terminology
- Develop multi-step reasoning
- Include interdisciplinary connections

Assessment Distribution

// From server/prompts/grades/grade78.ts:52
Question distribution:
- Knowledge/Recall: 15%
- Comprehension: 25%
- Application: 25%
- Analysis: 20%
- Evaluation: 15%

Math Notation

// From server/prompts/grades/grade78.ts:134
- Linear equations: 2x + 3y = 12
- Systems: Solve for x and y
- Exponents: 3² × 3⁴ = 3ⁿ
- Pythagorean theorem: a² + b² = c²
- Functions: f(x) = 2x + 5
- Inequalities: 3x - 7 < 14
- Slope: m = (y₂-y₁)/(x₂-x₁)

Grade 9+ (Ages 14+): Advanced Learning

Learning Characteristics

Vocabulary

College-level vocabulary

Reading Speed

250+ words per minute

Research

Understand research papers

Insights

Generate original insights

Content Constraints

// From server/prompts/grades/grade9Plus.ts:8
REQUIREMENTS:
- No sentence structure limitations
- 1000-2000 words as appropriate
- Full technical vocabulary expected
- Complex theoretical frameworks
- Research-level thinking

Lesson Structure

// From server/prompts/grades/grade9Plus.ts:20
STRUCTURE (1000-2000 words):

Abstract and Objectives (150 words)
Theoretical framework and learning goals.

Literature Review (400 words)
Current understanding and research context.

Core Content (600 words)
Detailed technical explanation with proofs/evidence.

Applications and Implications (300 words)
Real-world applications and future directions.

Problem Set (150 words)
Challenging problems requiring synthesis.

Math Notation

// From server/prompts/grades/grade9Plus.ts:141
- Calculus: d/dx[f(x)], ∫f(x)dx
- Trigonometry: sin²θ + cos²θ = 1
- Logarithms: log₂(8) = 3
- Matrices: [A][B] = [C]
- Complex numbers: z = a + bi
- Limits: lim(x→∞) f(x)
- Vectors: a⃗ · b⃗ = |a||b|cosθ
- Statistics: σ² = Σ(x-μ)²/n

Visual Complexity by Grade

Each grade level has different visual design requirements:

SVG ILLUSTRATION CONSTRAINTS:
- Maximum 5 shapes total
- Primary colors only: red, blue, yellow, green
- Large shapes (minimum 40px radius)
- One-word labels only, 18px+ font
- Simple, friendly, recognizable objects
- viewBox="0 0 400 300"

SVG ILLUSTRATION GUIDELINES:
- 5-8 elements/shapes
- Clear, readable labels (1-2 words), 14px+ font
- Friendly color palette with contrast
- Show parts and wholes
- Simple arrows to connect items
- viewBox="0 0 500 350"

SVG ILLUSTRATION GUIDELINES:
- 8-12 elements/shapes
- Arrows showing relationships
- Labels with brief descriptions (2-4 words), 12px+ font
- Show cause-and-effect or process steps
- Professional color scheme
- viewBox="0 0 600 400"

SVG ILLUSTRATION GUIDELINES:
- 12-20 elements
- Annotations and callout labels
- Quantitative relationships and data
- Scientific/academic styling
- Font 11px+ for labels, 14px+ for titles
- viewBox="0 0 700 500"

SVG ILLUSTRATION GUIDELINES:
- 15-30+ elements
- Publication-quality styling
- Mathematical notation where relevant
- Multi-panel layouts
- Font 10px+ for annotations, 14px+ for titles
- Statistical visualizations
- viewBox="0 0 800 600"

Progression Example: Teaching Fractions

K-2: Concrete Objects

Lesson: “Parts of a Whole”“A pizza has 4 slices. You eat 1 slice. You ate 1 of 4.”

Uses pizza (familiar object)
Maximum 5 words per sentence
Shows physical division
No fraction notation

Grade 3-4: Introduction to Notation

Lesson: “What is a Fraction?”“A fraction shows part of a whole. When we cut a pizza into 4 equal slices, each slice is 1/4 of the pizza.”

Introduces fraction notation (1/4)
Still uses concrete example
Explains “equal parts”
8 words per sentence maximum

Grade 5-6: Operations

Lesson: “Adding Fractions with Unlike Denominators”“To add fractions with different denominators, we must first find a common denominator. For example, to add 1/3 + 1/4, we find that 12 is divisible by both 3 and 4…”

Introduces algorithms
Uses mathematical vocabulary
Shows step-by-step process
Abstract reasoning required

Grade 7-8: Rational Numbers

Lesson: “Rational Numbers and Their Properties”“Rational numbers are numbers that can be expressed as a ratio of two integers, where the denominator is not zero. This set includes all fractions, terminating decimals, and repeating decimals…”

Formal mathematical definitions
Set theory concepts
Proofs and properties
Cross-disciplinary connections

Grade 9+: Advanced Concepts

Lesson: “The Rational Number System and Field Axioms”“The set of rational numbers ℚ forms a field under standard addition and multiplication operations. We can prove that for any two rational numbers a/b and c/d (where b,d ≠ 0), their sum (ad + bc)/bd is also rational…”

Formal proofs
Field theory
Abstract algebra
Research-level rigor

Implementation in Code

The system automatically applies the correct constraints:

// From server/services/enhanced-lesson-service.ts:106
function buildEnhancedLessonPrompt(
  gradeLevel: number, 
  topic: string, 
  subject?: string
): string {
  const limits = getWordLimits(gradeLevel);
  const readingLevel = getReadingLevelInstructions(gradeLevel);
  const mathRules = getMathematicalNotationRules(gradeLevel);
  const gradePrompt = LESSON_PROMPTS.ENHANCED_LESSON(gradeLevel, topic);

  return `You are creating an educational lesson for a grade ${gradeLevel} 
          student about "${topic}"${subject ? ` (subject: ${subject})` : ''}.
          
          ${gradePrompt}
          ${readingLevel}
          ${mathRules}
          
          [Additional constraints...]
          `;
}

AI Tutoring

How AI generates grade-specific content

Adaptive Learning

Performance-based content adjustment

Concept Tracking

Tracking mastery of individual skills

​Overview

​K-2 (Ages 5-7): Early Childhood

​Learning Characteristics

Vocabulary

Reading Ability

Attention Span

Thinking Style

​Content Constraints

​Allowed Vocabulary

​Banned Words

​Quiz Questions

​Math Notation

​Grade 3-4 (Ages 8-10): Developing Readers

​Learning Characteristics

Vocabulary

Reading Speed

Comprehension

Instructions

​Content Constraints

​Appropriate Vocabulary

​Banned Words

​Math Notation

​Grade 5-6 (Ages 10-12): Abstract Thinkers

​Learning Characteristics

Vocabulary

Reading Speed

Thinking

Processes

​Content Constraints

​Question Distribution

​Math Notation

​Grade 7-8 (Ages 12-14): Critical Thinkers

​Learning Characteristics

Vocabulary

Reading Speed

Analysis

Synthesis

​Content Constraints

​Assessment Distribution

​Math Notation

​Grade 9+ (Ages 14+): Advanced Learning

​Learning Characteristics

Vocabulary

Reading Speed

Research

Insights

​Content Constraints

​Lesson Structure

​Math Notation

​Visual Complexity by Grade

​Progression Example: Teaching Fractions

​Implementation in Code

​Related Features

AI Tutoring

Adaptive Learning

Concept Tracking

Overview

K-2 (Ages 5-7): Early Childhood

Learning Characteristics

Content Constraints

Allowed Vocabulary

Banned Words

Quiz Questions

Math Notation

Grade 3-4 (Ages 8-10): Developing Readers

Learning Characteristics

Content Constraints

Appropriate Vocabulary

Banned Words

Math Notation

Grade 5-6 (Ages 10-12): Abstract Thinkers

Learning Characteristics

Content Constraints

Question Distribution

Math Notation

Grade 7-8 (Ages 12-14): Critical Thinkers

Learning Characteristics

Content Constraints

Assessment Distribution

Math Notation

Grade 9+ (Ages 14+): Advanced Learning

Learning Characteristics

Content Constraints

Lesson Structure

Math Notation

Visual Complexity by Grade

Progression Example: Teaching Fractions

Implementation in Code

Related Features