> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.sunschool.xyz/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Grade Level Support

> How Sunschool tailors content from kindergarten through high school

## 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

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Vocabulary" icon="book-open">
    About 2,000 simple words total
  </Card>

  <Card title="Reading Ability" icon="glasses">
    Just learning to read
  </Card>

  <Card title="Attention Span" icon="clock">
    5-10 minutes per activity
  </Card>

  <Card title="Thinking Style" icon="shapes">
    Only concrete, observable concepts
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### Content Constraints

```typescript theme={null}
// 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

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Nouns">
    mom, dad, sun, moon, water, food, home, dog, cat, tree, flower, bird, fish, car, ball
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Adjectives">
    big, small, hot, cold, wet, dry, red, blue, green, yellow, happy, sad
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Verbs">
    is, has, go, run, walk, jump, play, eat, drink, see, look, hear, feel
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Numbers">
    one, two, three, four, five (written as: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

### Banned Words

<Warning>
  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
</Warning>

### Quiz Questions

Questions must be extremely simple:

<CodeGroup>
  ```text Good Examples theme={null}
  "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"]
  ```

  ```text Bad Examples theme={null}
  ❌ "What is the relationship between the sun and plants?"
     (Too many words, abstract concept)

  ❌ "How do animals adapt to their environment?"
     (Words "adapt" and "environment" too advanced)
  ```
</CodeGroup>

### Math Notation

```text theme={null}
// 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

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Vocabulary" icon="book-open">
    4,000-6,000 words
  </Card>

  <Card title="Reading Speed" icon="gauge">
    100-150 words per minute
  </Card>

  <Card title="Comprehension" icon="lightbulb">
    Understanding cause and effect
  </Card>

  <Card title="Instructions" icon="list-check">
    Can follow 2-3 step instructions
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### Content Constraints

```typescript theme={null}
// 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

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Science">
    animals, plants, water, air, heat, light, grow, change, measure
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Math">
    add, subtract, multiply, divide, fraction, equal, pattern, shape
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Descriptive">
    hot/cold, fast/slow, heavy/light, rough/smooth, living/non-living
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

### Banned Words

```text theme={null}
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

```text theme={null}
// 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

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Vocabulary" icon="book-open">
    10,000+ words
  </Card>

  <Card title="Reading Speed" icon="gauge">
    150-200 words per minute
  </Card>

  <Card title="Thinking" icon="brain">
    Can think abstractly
  </Card>

  <Card title="Processes" icon="workflow">
    Follow multi-step processes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### Content Constraints

```typescript theme={null}
// 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

```typescript theme={null}
// 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

```text theme={null}
// 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

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Vocabulary" icon="book-open">
    50,000+ words
  </Card>

  <Card title="Reading Speed" icon="gauge">
    200-250 words per minute
  </Card>

  <Card title="Analysis" icon="magnifying-glass">
    Analyze multiple viewpoints
  </Card>

  <Card title="Synthesis" icon="puzzle-piece">
    Synthesize information
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### Content Constraints

```typescript theme={null}
// 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

```typescript theme={null}
// From server/prompts/grades/grade78.ts:52
Question distribution:
- Knowledge/Recall: 15%
- Comprehension: 25%
- Application: 25%
- Analysis: 20%
- Evaluation: 15%
```

### Math Notation

```text theme={null}
// 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

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Vocabulary" icon="book-open">
    College-level vocabulary
  </Card>

  <Card title="Reading Speed" icon="gauge">
    250+ words per minute
  </Card>

  <Card title="Research" icon="microscope">
    Understand research papers
  </Card>

  <Card title="Insights" icon="lightbulb">
    Generate original insights
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### Content Constraints

```typescript theme={null}
// 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

```text theme={null}
// 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

```text theme={null}
// 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:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="K-2">
    ```text theme={null}
    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"
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="3-4">
    ```text theme={null}
    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"
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="5-6">
    ```text theme={null}
    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"
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="7-8">
    ```text theme={null}
    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"
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="9+">
    ```text theme={null}
    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"
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Progression Example: Teaching Fractions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="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
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="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
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="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
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="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
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="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
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Implementation in Code

The system automatically applies the correct constraints:

```typescript theme={null}
// 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...]
          `;
}
```

## Related Features

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="AI Tutoring" icon="sparkles" href="/features/ai-tutoring">
    How AI generates grade-specific content
  </Card>

  <Card title="Adaptive Learning" icon="chart-line" href="/features/adaptive-learning">
    Performance-based content adjustment
  </Card>

  <Card title="Concept Tracking" icon="brain" href="/features/concept-tracking">
    Tracking mastery of individual skills
  </Card>
</CardGroup>