Class Syllabus

Published by - June 7, 2019 -

Pre-Level

Handwriting

  • Basic Print (one letter at a time)

Typing

  • 88: Typing with correct fingers (one word at a time)

Phonics

  • Dot 1: Phonic Sense (one line at a time)

Level 1

Zone 1

Handwriting

  • All Basic Print
  • Cursive Curves

Typing

  • All 88 Typing Words
  • Vocabulary

Reading Prep

Zone 2

Fonts & Writing Style

  • Roman vs Sans Serif
  • Double-Story “a” & “g”

Articles

  • a(n) with singular nouns

Sentences

Zone 3

Grammar

  • Nouns
  • Verbs
  • Adjectives (colors, shapes, size)
  • Capitalize first word of sentence
  • End sentences with period or question mark

Zone 4

Grammar

  • Subject – Predicate – Sentence (simple sentences)
  • Comma: Direct Address

Zone 5

Grammar

  • Yes/No Q&A via “do” and “are”
  • not
  • Action Verbs
  • Present & Past (Now & Past)
  • Contractions (past, present)

Level 2

Zone 1

Handwriting

  • All Cursive
  • All Cursive Curves

Typing

  • Paragraphs
    • Quotes
    • Memorize
    • 52 Bible
    • Read

Phonics

  • Write all phonic combinations & words in cursive
  • Write all Casual Sentences in cursive (111 Casual Sentences)

Zone 2

Fonts & Writing Style

  • Roman vs Sans Serif (review)
  • Double-Story “a” & “g” (review)
  • Monospace & Geometric
  • What is a Serif?

Articles

  • a(n) with singular nouns (review)
  • No a(n) with plural nouns
  • a(n) using “n” before vowel sounds

Zone 3

Grammar

  • Sentence types:
    • Declarative (Statement)
    • Interrogative (Question)
    • Imperative (Direction)
    • Exclamation (Wow)
  • Nouns & Verbs (review)
  • Subject – Predicate
  • Adjectives (numbers)
  • Capitalize Names
  • End sentences with question mark or period (review)
  • Exclamation mark

Zone 4

Grammar

  • Subject – Predicate – Sentence (from Yes/No Q&A sentences)
  • Comma
    • Direct Address (review)
    • Introductory words
    • Serial lists
  • Abbreviations in titles (Mr., Mrs., Dr.)
  • Subject – Object
  • Noun Case Basic
  • Personal Pronouns (Subject & Object)
  • Prepositions: at, on, in
  • Singular & Plural
  • Suffixes (nouns)
  • Personal Pronouns (Subject only)
  • Pronouns of Time (tomorrow, yesterday, today, tonight)
    • As vocabulary
    • As modifiers (AKA ‘adverbs of time’)

Zone 5

Grammar

  • Yes/No Q&A
    • via “do” and “are” (review)
    • via “did” and “will”
  • Past, Present, Future
  • Suffixes (verbs)
  • Contractions (past, present, future, negative)
  • Action Verbs & Linking Verbs
  • Helping Verbs: do, does, did, will

Zone 6

Grammar

  • Quotation Marks (simple dialog)
  • Adjectives: Comparative
    • Regular (-er)
    • Irregular
  • WH words as vocabulary (who, what,
    where, when, why, how)
  • Adverbs explain:
    • When
    • Where
    • How
  • Use adjectives & adverbs in “how-to” writing

Zone 7

  • WH words explained with sentences (who, what,
    where, when, why, how)

Level 3

Zone 2

Fonts & Writing Style

  • Roman vs Sans Serif (review)
  • Double-Story “a” & “g” (review)
  • Monospace & Geometric (review)
  • What is a Serif? (review)
  • Script & “Other” Fonts (Decorative)
  • Cursive & Print Styles:
    • Copperplate
    • Blackletter
    • Palmer & Block Letter vs D’Nealian
    • PinkWrite

Articles

  • the “we already know which”
  • a “we don’t say which”
  • any “we say we don’t care which”
  • many and other modifiers can replace the article
  • a(n) using “n” before vowel sounds (review)
  • a(n) singular, not plural (review)

Application

Zone 3

Grammar

  • Sentence types: (review)
    • Declarative (Statement)
    • Interrogative (Question)
    • Imperative (Direction)
    • Exclamation (Wow)
  • Nouns, Verbs, Adjectives (review)
  • Subject – Predicate (expand & apply)
    • Predicate: Verb
    • Predicate: Noun
    • Predicate: Adjective
  • some with plural nouns
  • any
    • positive with singular nouns
    • negative with plural nouns
    • any – a(n) – the
  • Capitalize
    • Proper Adjectives (Uncle Sam)
    • Titles (Mr. Samson, Grandma)
    • vs common nouns
  • End sentences with question mark, period, or exclamation mark (review)

Critical Thinking

  • Basis (a reason to believe something)
  • Types of Evidence (Kinds of Proof)
    • Witness & Testimony (Story)
    • Physical (Things)
    • Experience (Tried Something)
  • Fact vs Opinion (Objective vs Subjective)

Stories

  • Characters
    • Main
    • Side
  • Plot (Plato)
    • Opening
    • Climax
    • Conclusion

Zone 4

Grammar

  • Possessive Pronouns
  • Possessive Nouns & Possessive Adjectives
  • Noun Case Basic (review)
  • Implied Subject – Imperative
  • Prepositions: at, on, in (review)
  • Conjunctions: and, or, but
  • Comma
    • Direct Address (review)
    • Introductory words (review)
    • Serial lists (review)
    • Before but
  • Abbreviations for time (a.m., p.m.)
  • Subject – Object (review)
    • Nouns
    • Personal Pronouns
  • Prepositions: to, from, for, by
  • Singular & Plural (review)
  • Noun Suffix Rules (Noun Spellings)
  • Countable vs Uncountable
  • Levelifiers (a cup of ___, a loaf of ___, etc.)
  • the with plural nouns
  • Word-Building
  • Pronouns of Time (as vocabulary phrases, not in sentences)
    • Complex (the week after next, this coming Wednesday, etc.)

Zone 5

Grammar

  • Ordinals
  • WH Q&A
    • via “do” and “are” (review)
    • via “did” and “will”
  • Past, Present, Future
  • Verb Suffix Rules (Verb Spellings)
  • Contractions (past, present, future, negative)
  • Action Verbs & Linking Verbs (review)
  • Helping Verbs:
    • do, does, did, will (review)
    • can, may
  • Permission vs Capability
    • may I vs can I
  • “BE going to…” = “will…”
  • Identify Helping Verb vs Main Verb
  • Irregular Verbs (simple & few)

Zone 6

Grammar

  • Demonstratives
  • Quotation Marks & Commas in Dialog
  • Requests & Responses of Preference to WH Questions (any [n.], anything [adj.], something [adj.], want, don’t, can’t, etc.)
  • Adjectives & Adverbs: Comparative & Superlative
    • Regular (review)
    • Irregular (review)
    • “more/most” (count syllables)
    • “less/least”
  • Suffixes (modifiers: comparative, superlative, adverbial)
    • -er / more / less
    • -st / most / least
  • Adverbs of Frequency (usually, often, occasionally, rarely, seldom, sometimes, sporadically, never, etc.)

Zone 7

Grammar

  • Interrogative Pronouns (compare to WH questions)

Level 4

Zone 2

  • Alphabetic Order

Zone 3

Grammar

  • Sentence types: (review)
    • Declarative
    • Interrogative
    • Imperative
    • Exclamation
  • Subject – Predicate
    • Predicate: Verb (review)
    • Predicate: Noun (review)
    • Predicate: Adjective (review)
    • Subject Verb
    • Subject Compliment
  • Capitalize
    • Countries, states, counties, townships, cities, districts, roads (addresses)
    • Days, months, eras
  • End sentences with question mark, period, or exclamation mark (review)
  • Suffixes
    • Adverbs (-ly, -ward, -wise)

Zone 4

Grammar

  • Possessive Pronouns
  • Possessive Nouns & Possessive Adjectives
  • Prepositions: at, on, in (review, introduce Dative)
  • Noun Case Intermediate
  • Lists: either, neither, nor, but not, all except, me too, not __ either
  • Comma
    • Direct Address (review)
    • Introductory words (review)
    • Serial lists (review)
    • Before but (review)
    • Dates
    • Addresses
  • Abbreviating with all-caps
    • U.S.A., F.B.I., U.N., etc.
    • Acronyms (SCUBA, etc.)
    • State codes in addresses
  • Subject – Object (review)
    • Nouns
    • Personal Pronouns
  • Prepositions: with, beside, between, near, on, over, under, upon, into
  • Noun Suffix Rules (review) (Noun Spellings)
  • Irregular Nouns (chart) (101 Nouns)
  • Countable vs Uncountable (review)
  • Levelifiers (a cup of ___, a loaf of ___, etc.) (review)
  • the as a substantiver
  • Pronouns of Time
    • Complex (the week after next, etc.; review)
    • As possessives (yesterday’s lunch, etc.)
  • Word-Building (review & expand)
    • Nations & Cultures
    • Abstract Nouns (vs Concrete)
      • Can’t feel with five senses
      • Constructing from roots & suffixes (-dom, -hood, -ment, -ness, -ry, -ship)

Critical Thinking

  • Interview
  • Learning through Q&A
  • Discussing Difference
    • Disagreement
    • Options
    • Explanations
    • Rebuttals & Retorts
    • Defenses

Stories

  • Characters
    • Dynamic
    • Static
  • Plot
    • Goal
    • Challenges

Zone 5

Grammar

  • Ordinals (review)
  • WH Q&A
    • via “do” and “are” (review)
    • via “did” and “will”
  • Past, Present, Future (review)
  • Contractions (review)
  • Action Verbs & Linking Verbs (review)
  • Helping Verbs:
    • do, does, did, will (review)
    • can, may (review)
    • could, would, should, might (different meaning)
  • Identify Helping Verb vs Main Verb
  • Permission vs Capability (review)
    • may I vs can I
  • Irregular Verbs (chart) (303 Verbs)
  • Subject – Verb Agreement

Zone 6

Grammar

  • Demonstratives (review)
  • Quotation Marks & Commas in Dialog (review)
  • Requests & Responses of Preference to WH Questions (any [n.], anything [adj.], something [adj.], want, don’t, can’t, etc.) (review)
    • would you, can you, could you, etc
    • have him/her/them (v.) as a request
  • Limiting Categories in response to WH Questions: (All but __, every __ except __, only __, nothing else, nothing but __, etc)
  • Adjectives & Adverbs: Comparative & Superlative (review & expand)
    • -er / more / less (review)
    • -st / most / least (review)
    • -less / -ful
  • Adjectives vs Adverbs (Adjective Spellings)
  • Adjectives: Equative Comparison
    • (just/almost/not quite) as ___ as…
    • …the same as…
    • …the same ___ as always.
  • Adverbs of Manner (badly, clockwise, counterclockwise, happily, loudly, noisily, quickly, quietly, sadly, slowly, well)

Zone 7

Grammar

  • Interrogative Pronouns (compare to WH questions)

Zone 8

Grammar

  • Pronouns & Antecedents
  • Narrative Dialog: (time) ago, (n)ever [have], since (time), for (time), once, in (time), over a span/period of (time), etc.

Level 5

Zone 3

Grammar

  • Sentence types: (review)
    • Declarative
    • Interrogative
    • Imperative
    • Exclamation
  • Subject – Predicate (review)
    • Predicate: Verb
    • Predicate: Noun
    • Predicate: Adjective
    • Subject Verb
    • Subject Compliment
  • Capitalize
    • Institutions
    • Names with titles
    • Continents, oceans, known regions, geographic entities
  • Suffixes
    • Verbs (-ate, -en, -ify, -ise/ize)
  • Indirect & Tag Questions
  • Discuss advanced colors

Zone 4

Grammar

  • Noun Case Advanced
  • Conjunctions: and, or, but (compound sentence vs compound Subject/Verb/Predicate/Objects)
  • Comma
    • Direct Address (review)
    • Introductory words (review)
    • Serial lists (review)
    • Before but (review)
    • Dates (review)
    • Addresses (review)
    • Compound Sentences
  • Conjunctions as Modifiers (but a little, it is but/yet/still morning, not yet ready, not there yet, etc.)
  • Common abbreviations (adj., n., etc., viz., e.g., i.e.)
  • Subject – Object (review)
    • Nouns
    • Personal Pronouns (phrases with past & present tense)
  • Prepositions: about, around, after, against, before, beyond, during, following, inside, toward, through, without
  • Noun Suffix Rules (review) (Noun Spellings)
  • Irregular Nouns (101 Nouns)
  • the as a substantiver (more complex phrases, the one who/which/that…)
  • the as par excellance, superlative, monadic & celebrity
  • Abstract Nouns (vs Concrete)
    • Constructing from roots & suffixes (-ee vs -er/or, -ism vs -ist, -tion/ssion)

Zone 5

Grammar

  • “Determiners”
    • “Articles”
    • “Possessives”
    • “Demonstratives”
    • “Numerals”
    • “Ordinals”
    • “Quantifiers”
  • Past, Present, Future (review)
  • Present Progressive (BE + VERB-ing)
  • Contractions (with BE + Present Progressive)
  • Action Verbs & Linking Verbs (review)
  • Prefixes (negation, simple)
  • Helping Verbs:
    • do, does, did, will (review)
    • can, may (review)
    • could, would, should, might (review)
  • Possibility vs Probability
    • “I might go.” vs “I probably will go.”, etc.
  • Conditionals & Willingness
    • “I would/will/might go if…”, etc.
    • if-will (indicative present/future) vs if-would (subjunctive preterite/perfect)
  • Progressive (Gerund) Verb Forms (chart) (303 Verbs)
  • Gerunds & Infinitives
    • Identify & Differentiate
  • Subject – Verb Agreement (review)

Critical Thinking

  • Answering WH Questions (who, what,
    where, when, why, how)
  • Explaining Before Asked
  • Anticipate Responses
    • Objections
    • Questions

Stories

  • Characters
    • Helpers
    • Opponents
  • Plot
    • Goal
    • Tools
    • Rules (limits & powers)
    • Explaining through conversation between characters
    • Explaining through narrators
  • Narrative Methods
    • Different perspectives
    • Flashback that explains plot & characters
    • Flashback that re-interprets good and evil
    • Retelling the same basic story (reboot, ‘re-deux’)

Zone 6

Grammar

  • Demonstratives (as modifier clause)
  • Quotation Marks & Commas in Dialog (review)
  • Adjective & Adverb: Spelling Rules (review) (Adjective Spellings)
  • Adjectives: Equative Comparison (review)
    • (just/almost/not quite) as ___ as…
  • Modifier as number
    • Three wheel car vs three wheels on the car
    • Five year old vs he is five years old
  • Suffixes (modifiers: comparative, superlative, adverbial)
    •  Review & expand into longer phrases and sentences:
      • -er / more / less
      • -st / most / least
      • -less / -ful
  • Adverbs of Degree (completely, hardly, just, pretty, quite, rather, too, very)

Zone 7

Grammar

  • Commas: Restrictive & Non-Restrictive (brief application)
  • Conjunctions: Logic & Cause (because, since, so, therefore, accordingly, due to, on account of, because of)
  • Direct Object – Indirect Object
  • Relative Pronouns (vs Interrogative)

Zone 8

Grammar

  • Pronouns & Antecedents (identifying incomplete communication with unspecified pronouns)
  • Reflexive Pronouns (Pronouns)
  • Genitive Case: Substance, Origin
  • Dative Case: Involvement, Means
  • Instrumental Case
  • Locative Case

Zone 9

Grammar

  • Modifiers: Other than Adjectives & Adverbs

Zone 10

Fonts

  • Gutenberg’s Press & Blackletter
  • Jensen & Caslon
  • Serif vs Sans Serif: Caslon IV’s Grotesque

Grammar

  • Prepositions & Prepositional Phrases

Level 6

Zone 3

Grammar

  • Suffixes
    • Adverbs (-ly, -ward, -wise) (review)
    • Verbs (-ate, -en, -ify, -ise/ize)  (review)
    • Adjectives (-able/ible, -en, -ful, -ish, -ive, -less, -y) (review/overview)
    • Nouns (-age, -al, -ance/ence, -dom, -ee, -er/or, -hood, -ism, -ist, -ty, -ment, -ness, -ry, -ship, -sion/tion/xion) (review/overview)

Zone 4

Grammar

  • Conjunctions: yet, however
  • Noun Case Advanced (review)
  • Nouns as Modifiers
  • until
    • until preposition: “We walk to/until sunset.”
      • Only used with time/event/condition -related nouns, not space
        • NOT: “The road continues until New York.”
        • YES: “We drive until we reach New York.”
        • YES: “Our journey continues until we reach New York.”
        • NOT: “The elevator can take passengers until eleven people.”
        • YES: “The elevator can take passengers until it has eleven people.”
        • YES: “The elevator can take passengers until it is full.”
    • until modifier: up to & before a time or condition or condition is met
      • Prohibitive adv.: “I won’t work until ready.” (ready is an adjective)
      • Positive adv.: “I will work until finished.” (finished is an adjective)
    • until conjunction: “I am eating until I am sleeping.”
    • since conjunction: “I have been sleeping since I ate.”
  • Compound sentence vs compound Subject/Verb/Predicate/Objects (review)
  • Semicolon
  • the as a substantiver (review)
  • the as par excellance, superlative, monadic & celebrity (review)
  • the “we already know which” (confusing & inappropriate use)
  • Abstract Nouns (created using root words)

Zone 5

Grammar

  • “Determiners” (review)
    • “Articles”
    • “Possessives”
    • “Demonstratives”
    • “Numerals”
    • “Ordinals”
    • “Quantifiers”
  • Past, Present, Future (review)
  • Present Progressive (review)
  • Past Progressive, Future Progressive
  • Present Perfect
  • Contractions (HAVE + Perfect, will be + VERB-ing; not past progressive!)
  • Prefixes (negation, more complex)
  • Suggestions & Advice
    • should (not), ought (not), might (not) want to
    • Let’s___
    • Why don’t [n.] (v.)…
    • Why not (v.)…
    • You had better…
    • Should I…?
    • Who/What should…?
  • Conditionals & Willingness
    • “I would/will/might go if…”, etc.(review)
    • if-will (indicative present/future) vs if-would (subjunctive preterite/perfect) (review)
    • “should” used as “if”
  • Prohibition & Obligation
    • have to, must, need to, should
  • Gerunds & Infinitives (review & expand)
    • Identify & Differentiate
  • Perfect Verb Forms (chart) (303 Verbs)
  • Verbs: Transitive & Intransitive
    • [S.] (vt.) [O.]
    • [S.] (vi.)
  • Phrasal Verbs
    • (v.) + preposition
    • (v.) [O.] + preposition
    • (v.) [adv.] + preposition
    • (v.) [adv.]

Zone 6

Grammar

  • Demonstratives (as modifier clause; review)
  • Quotation Marks & Punctuation in complex Dialog
  • Adjective & Adverb: Spelling Rules (review) (Adjective Spellings)
  • Adjectives: Equative Comparison (review)
    • (just/almost/not quite) as ___ as…
  • Modifier as Subject
    • “Even better is…”, “Even more importantly,…”
  • Adverbs of Circumstance (abruptly, fortunately, unfortunateley, luckily, unluckily, obviously, shockingly, surprisingly, vaguely)

Critical Thinking

  • Explaining the Unseen (What Happened Here?)
    • Unseen Events
    • Current Situation
  • Investigative Questions
    • Asking Witnesses
    • Asking Experts
    • Searching Evidence
  • Both sides, full story
    • Testimony difference without disagreement
    • Truth through full perspective
    • Listen to the full speech, text, and context BEFORE forming opinion or commentary
    • Media editing deception: Editing can make anyone do anything.
    • Listen to perspective of accused before rendering a judgment
  • Ethics
    • Plagiarism
    • Citing Sources
    • Define “Defamation”
    • Know when to Refer (when you are not an expert)
    • Encourage “Second Opinions”

Stories

  • Characters
    • Complex
    • Simple
    • Developing
    • Changing
    • Crisis & Transformation
  • Plot
    • Events that move the plot forward
    • Crisis & Salvation
    • Comic Relief
    • Loss & Cost (to make the goal valuable)
    • Foreshadowing (including the clue)
    • Symbolism (common practices by authors)
  • Theme
    • In Title
    • In Plot
    • In Names
    • In Objects & Places
    • In Items & Tools
    • In Challenges & Goals
    • In Discussion & Conflict

Zone 7

Grammar

  • Commas: Restrictive & Non-Restrictive (expand with WH clauses)
  • Conjunctions: Logic & Cause (because, since, so, therefore, accordingly, due to, on account of, because of) (review)
  • Direct Object – Indirect Object (more difficult; review)
  • Relative Pronouns (vs Interrogative; review)
  • Clauses (one verb each)
  • WH Clauses (WH – Relative and Interrogative Clauses)
  • Demonstrative Clauses

Zone 8

Grammar

  • Pronouns & Antecedents (identify antecedents in paragraphs, ‘most likely’ antecedent in confusing situations)
  • Reflexive Pronouns (review) (Pronouns)
  • Passive vs Active Subjects with Objects

Zone 9

Grammar

  • Figurative Language
    • Metaphor vs Simile
    • Hyperbole
      • Over statement & Understatement
      • Sarcasm & Irony
    • Common Figures of Speech
    • Inventive Figures of Speech

Zone 10

Fonts

  • Gutenberg’s Press & Blackletter (review)
  • Jensen & Caslon (review)
  • Serif vs Sans Serif: Caslon IV’s Grotesque
  • ArtDeco Era: Futura, Bank Gothic, Bauhaus & Egyptian

Grammar

  • Prepositions & Prepositional Phrases (review)
  • Genitive Measurables (a bottle of, a cup of, a piece of)

Level 7

Zone 4

Grammar

  • Compound sentence vs compound Subject/Verb/Predicate/Objects (review)
  • since & until vs since & because
  • Semicolon (review)
  • Commas (review)
  • and, or, but, yet, however, (not __) either, neither, nor, but not, except (review)
  • Changing meanings via: the, a(n), demonstratives, possessives
  • Abstract Nouns (review)
  • Nouns as Modifiers (review)

Zone 5

Grammar

  • “Determiners” (review)
    • “Articles”
    • “Possessives”
    • “Demonstratives”
    • “Numerals”
    • “Ordinals”
    • “Quantifiers”
  • Suggestions & Advice (more direct & courteous)
    • May I suggest…? (as a question)
    • Please consider… (as statement)
    • In my humble opinion, Please consider, (as dependent clauses)
    • etc.
  • Hypotheticals viz Subjunctive (if, were, had)
    • (AKA ‘unreal conditionals’)
    • if INDICATIVE vs if I/you were you/them… (theory vs warning)
  • Gerunds & Infinitives
    • the Substantiver with Gerunds
  • Progressive used as future or intent; “BE going to VERB”
  • Past Perfect
  • Passive Voice
  • Mood (overview)
    • Indicative
    • Subjunctive
    • Imperative
  • Inventing Tense Combinations (no charts, use time diagram)
    • Perfect & Progressive
    • Active & Passive
    • Past
    • Present
    • Future
  • Verb Forms: (Verb Tense & Mood) (only at end, brief overview)

Zone 6

Grammar

  • Demonstratives (as modifier clause; review)
  • Quotation Marks in artistic work titles & non-dialog
  • Adjectives: Equative Comparison (review)
    • (just/almost/not quite) as ___ as…
  • Modifier as Subject
    • “Even better is…”, “Even more importantly,…” (review)
    • “Equally valuable is…”, “Almost as unusual,…” etc.
  • Order of Adjectives:
    • number, opinion, size, shape, age, color, origin, purpose

Zone 7

Grammar

  • Commas: Restrictive & Non-Restrictive (expand further)
    • WH clauses
    • Appositives
  • Conjunctions: Logic & Cause (because, since, so, therefore, accordingly, due to, on account of, because of) (review)
  • Direct Object – Indirect Object (review)
  • Clauses (one verb each; review)
  • WH Clauses (review) (WH – Relative and Interrogative Clauses)
  • Demonstrative Clauses (review)
  • Dependent vs Independent Clauses
  • Clauses as Modifiers

Critical Thinking

  • Represent Others (any opinion)
  • Defend Others (same opinion)
  • Assumption, Implication, Insinuation
  • Appeal to authority, seeking a judge, going to court:
    • Lets a third party stand in judgment over you and you and your opponent
    • Common exploitation: People control the judge by giving selective evidence.
    • Court’s power and decision come together, can’t use their power to enforce the verdict you want. If you appeal to their power, you let them decide, even if they decide against you.
  • Deception Tactics
      • Populism & Demagoguery
      • The “Already” suggestion dodge (we’re already doing that)
      • The “Because” complaint dodge (our policy says, we had to)
      • The “Parliamentary” justice dodge (bureaucratic runaround)
      • The “Redefinition” crackdown dodge (redefining terms to win)

Stories

  • Types of Stories (Genre)
    • Whodunnit
    • Thriller
    • Law & Order
    • Fantasy
    • Science Fiction
    • Romance
    • Historical Fiction
    • Street Life
    • Marooned & Survival
    • Playscript
    • Tragedy
    • Drama (Laughed & Cried)
    • Comedy & Satire
    • Superhero
    • Children’s Tales
    • Moral Parables & Lore
  • Characters
    • Archetypes
      • Father
      • Retired Hero Turned-Teacher
      • Grandmother
      • Tough, Old Lady
      • Master Teacher
      • Wonder Kid
      • Wise Sage
      • Heroin
      • Corrupted Youth Turning-Hero
      • Mad Scientist
      • Mad Villain
      • Greedy Villain
      • Villain with a Family
      • Villain with a Distorted Moral Mission
      • Friend Turned-Villain
      • Evil Mouse
      • Helpful Mouse
      • Jekyll & Hyde
      • Angry Ninja Student Turned-Villain
      • Crazy Guy Whose Right
      • Insightful Loony
      • Tough Guy
      • Powerful Wimp
      • Prince Charming
      • Loser-Bum
      • Rejected Nerd
      • Inept Air Head
      • Frankenstein (science-made, harms while wanting to help)
      • Pinocchio (finding self, family)
      • Peter Pan (never grows up)
      • Able Orphan
      • Mob Boss
      • Mob Lieutenant
      • Butler
      • Loyal Secretary
      • Billionaire Friend
      • Bully with a Back Story
      • Messiah & Savior (usually destroys a story)
    • Realistic vs Too-Ideal
    • Memorable Features
      • Faces
      • Colors
      • Shapes
      • Exaggeration
      • Idiosyncrasies (endearing, approachable, & repulsive)
      • Irony (small guy with big voice, etc)
      • Smelly, repulsive
    • Useful/Endearing Flaws (so readers can identify with characters)
    • Harmful/Fatal Flaws (that lead to downfall)
    • Strengths that relate to the plot or theme
    • Unexpected Strengths/Flaws (‘stranger than fiction’ abilities that are true, but we rarely consider)
  • Plot
    • Checkoff’s Gun
    • Urgency Devices
      • Ticking Clock
      • Option Exhaustion
    • Complex Climaxes
    • Twist & the End

Zone 8

Grammar

  • Pronouns & Antecedents (identify antecedents in paragraphs, ‘most likely’ antecedent in confusing situations)
  • Reflexive Pronouns (review) (Pronouns)
  • Passive vs Active Subjects with Objects (review)

Zone 9

Grammar

  • Figurative Language (review)
    • Metaphor vs Simile
    • Common Figures of Speech
    • Inventive Figures of Speech
  • Describing & Discussing Charts & Graphs
    • Literal Language

Zone 10

Fonts

  • Gutenberg’s Press & Blackletter (review)
  • Jensen & Caslon (review)
  • Serif vs Sans Serif: Caslon IV’s Grotesque (review)
  • ArtDeco Era: Futura, Bank Gothic, Bauhaus & Egyptian (review)
  • Recognize Fonts:
    • Helvetica vs Arial
    • Roman: Modern, Transitional & “Book” Old Style

Grammar

  • Prepositions & Prepositional Phrases (review)
  • Noun Case Advanced (review)
  • Genitive Measurables (a bottle of, a cup of, a piece of; review)
  • Gerunds & Infinitives with Noun Case
    • Predicate Infinitive
  • Verb Voice
  • Verb Mood
  • Uses of Perfect & Future Tenses in Stories & Theories

Level 8

Zones 4 & 5: Parts of Speech, Clarity

Grammar

  • Compound sentence vs compound Subject/Verb/Predicate/Objects (review)
  • Semicolon (review)
  • Commas (review)
  • and, or, but, yet, however, (not __) either, neither, nor, but not, except (review)
  • Changing meanings via: the, a(n), demonstratives, possessives (review)
  • Abstract Nouns (review)
  • Nouns as Modifiers (review)
  • “Determiners” (review)
    • “Articles”
    • “Possessives”
    • “Demonstratives”
    • “Numerals”
    • “Ordinals”
    • “Quantifiers”
  • Verb Forms: (Verb Tense & Mood) (reference)
  • All Verb Tense-Voice-Mood terminology
  • Preterite vs Perfect (review)
  • Passive vs Active (review)
  • Mood (review)
    • Indicative
    • Subjunctive
    • Imperative

Zone 6 & 7: Detail & Reason

Grammar

  • Quotation Marks (review)
  • Use in combination with multiple sentences:
    • Adjectives: Equative Comparison (review)
      • (just/almost/not quite) as ___ as…
    • Modifier as Subject
      • “Even better is…”, “Even more importantly,…”, “Equally valuable is…”, “Almost as unusual,…” etc.
      • more so
  • Commas: Restrictive & Non-Restrictive
    • WH clauses (review)
    • Appositive as vocabulary
  • Conjunctions: Logic & Cause (because, since, so, therefore, accordingly, due to, on account of, because of, etc.) (review)
  • Conjunctions: Clarification (inasmuch as, insomuch as, to the extent that)
  • Concession & Disclaimer (notwithstanding, albeit, of course, anyhow, though, although, but-yet-however)
  • Conjunctions as Modifiers (but [a little], however [simple], though [understandable])
  • Direct Object – Indirect Object (review)
  • Clauses (one verb each; review)
  • WH Clauses (review) (WH – Relative and Interrogative Clauses)
  • Demonstrative Clauses (review)
  • Dependent vs Independent Clauses (review)
  • Concessive Clauses

Zone 8

Grammar

  • Pronouns & Antecedents (review)
  • Reflexive Pronouns (review) (Pronouns)
  • Passive vs Active Subjects with Objects (review)
  • Narrative Dialog: (time) ago, (n)ever [have], once, in (time), over a span/period of (time), etc. (review)
  • It Constructions
    • it BE [adj.] that…
    • it BE [adj.] (infinitive)
    • it looks/seems/appears that…
    • it looks/seems/appears [adj.] that…
    • “It has been said…”, “It seems apparent that…”, “It looks as if…”, etc.

Critical Thinking

  • Represent Others (opposite opinion)
  • Debating Self (prove yourself wrong)
  • Paths to Misunderstanding
    • Projection
    • Self-Talk
    • Disrespect of New Ideas
    • Creative & Selective Listening
  • Non Sequitur
    • Resulting from Misunderstanding
    • Intended as Tactics
    • Recognizing & Responding
  • Conflict “Never-Dos”
    • “Jackal Barking” (Source: IPS.SE)
    • You always/never (vs often or scientific explanation)
    • “No-Yes Circles” (vs No-Why/What)
  • “Summary”
    • Conversation
    • Writing
  • Key to: Improv, Impromptu & New Relationships (Yes, and…)
  • Mediation (3rd-party conflict resolve)
  • Deduction vs Induction
  • Types of Logical Arguments
  • Common Fallacies

Stories

  • Writing a Review

Zone 9

Grammar

  • Figurative Language (review)
    • Metaphor vs Simile
    • Common Figures of Speech
    • Inventive Figures of Speech
  • Describing & Discussing Charts & Graphs
    • Literal Language (review)
    • Figurative Language

Zone 10

  • Gutenberg’s Press & Blackletter (review)
  • Jensen & Caslon (review)
  • Serif vs Sans Serif: Caslon IV’s Grotesque (review)
  • ArtDeco Era: Futura, Bank Gothic, Bauhaus & Egyptian (review)
  • Recognize Fonts:
    • Helvetica vs Arial (review)
    • Roman: Modern, Transitional & “Book” Old Style (review)
    • Papyrus & Comic Sans
    • Monospace: Sans & Courier

Grammar

  • Prepositions & Prepositional Phrases (review)
  • Noun Case Advanced (review)
  • Genitive Measurables (a bottle of, a cup of, a piece of; review)
  • Gerunds & Infinitives with Noun Case
    • Predicate Infinitive (review)
    • Subject Infinitive
    • Gerund vs Verbal Noun
  • Verb Voice (review)
  • Verb Mood (review)
  • Uses of Perfect & Future Tenses in Stories & Theories (review)
  • Minimize & Reword
    • Modifiers
    • Word Count
    • Clauses
      • Concessive
      • Dependent

Zone 11

Capitalization
Punctuation

  • Awareness of Passive & Active Voice
  • Awareness of Modifiers
  • Awareness of Tone (entertainment-extras vs pure-information)
  • Purpose of Style:
    • Keep the same things the same so that differences can stand out
    • Different types of Style requirements
    • Stay consistent with non-requirements (create your own style)
  • Various Letter Styles
  • Geometric Idea Maps (freely applied to public speaking)

Level 9

In Level 9, all content is reviewed through three steps:

  1. Chart memory quizzes
  2. Identifying teaching points in existing sentences & writing
  3. Producing sentences & writing according to teaching points

These make Level 9 unique among all others because everything is review

Zone 7

Grammar

  • Quotation Marks (review)
  • Commas: Restrictive & Non-Restrictive (review)
  • Conjunctions: Logic & Cause (because, since, so, therefore, accordingly, due to, on account of, because of, etc.) (review)
  • Conjunctions: Clarification (inasmuch as, insomuch as, to the extent that) (review)
  • Concession & Disclaimer (notwithstanding, albeit, of course, anyhow, though, although, but-yet-however) (review)
  • Conjunctions as Modifiers (but [a little], however [simple], though [understandable])
  • Direct Object – Indirect Object (review)
  • Clauses (one verb each; review)
  • WH Clauses (review) (WH – Relative and Interrogative Clauses)
  • Demonstrative Clauses (review)
  • Dependent vs Independent Clauses (review)
  • Concessive Clauses (review)

Zone 8

Grammar

  • Pronouns & Antecedents (review)
  • Reflexive Pronouns (review) (Pronouns)
  • Passive vs Active Subjects with Objects (review)
  • Narrative Dialog: (time) ago, (n)ever [have], once, in (time), over a span/period of (time), etc. (review)

Zone 9

Grammar

  • Figurative Language (review)
    • Metaphor vs Simile
    • Common Figures of Speech
    • Inventive Figures of Speech
  • Describing & Discussing Charts & Graphs (review)
    • Literal Language
    • Figurative Language

Critical Thinking

  • Respectful Debating
    • Taking Turns
    • Listening to Understand
    • Making Concession
    • Clarifying Self
    • Asking for Clarity
    • Time Limits
  • Task & Topic
    • Identify Related Topics
      • Similar
      • Hierarchical
    • Staying on Topic
    • Knowing Whether the Question Was Answered
    • Recognizing Dodged Questions
      • Equivocation
      • Changing the Subject
      • Stall Tactics
      • Circular Reasons & Definitions
  • Reconciliation:
    • Apologize & forgive
    • Accept others’ perspective
    • Don’t dispute others’ claim of opinion
    • Don’t discuss the truthfulness of fact without evidence
    • Stay on task
    • Win friends, not fights

Stories

  • Writing a Story

Zone 10

Fonts

  • Gutenberg’s Press & Blackletter (review)
  • Jensen & Caslon (review)
  • Serif vs Sans Serif: Caslon IV’s Grotesque (review)
  • ArtDeco Era: Futura, Bank Gothic, Bauhaus & Egyptian (review)
  • Recognize Fonts: (review)
    • Helvetica vs Arial
    • Roman: Modern, Transitional & “Book” Old Style
    • Papyrus & Comic Sans
    • Monospace: Sans & Courier
  • Font Weight
  • Font Spacing
  • Font Hierarchy

Grammar

  • Noun Case Advanced (review)
  • Prepositions & Prepositional Phrases (review)
  • Noun Case: Nominative, Vocative (review)
  • Noun Case: Accusative, Dative (review)
  • Noun Case: Ablative, Lative (review)
  • Noun Case: Locative, Instrumental (review)
  • Noun Case: Genitive (review)
  • Noun Case: Oblique (review)
  • Genitive Measurables (a bottle of, a cup of, a piece of; review)
  • Gerunds & Infinitives with Noun Case (expand & apply)
    • Predicate Infinitive
    • Gerund vs Verbal Noun
  • Verb Voice (review)
  • Verb Mood (review)
  • Uses of Perfect & Future Tenses in Stories & Theories (review)
  • Minimize & Reword (review)
    • Modifiers
    • Word Count
    • Clauses
      • Concessive
      • Dependent

Zone 11

Capitalization
Punctuation

  • Awareness of Passive & Active Voice (review)
  • Awareness of Modifiers (review)
  • Awareness of Tone (entertainment-extras vs pure-information; review)
  • Purpose of Style: (review)
    • Keep the same things the same so that differences can stand out
    • Different types of Style requirements
    • Stay consistent with non-requirements (create your own style)
  • Various Letter Styles (review & expand)
  • Geometric Idea Maps (apply to writing)
  • Newswriting
  • Opinion
  • Headline
  • Definition
  • Product Description
  • Story telling
  • 5-Paragraph Essay

Level 10

In Level 10, Zones 10 & 11 are reviewed as one session/week each, two sessions in total

Review Zone 10

Fonts

  • Gutenberg’s Press & Blackletter (review)
  • Jensen & Caslon (review)
  • Serif vs Sans Serif: Caslon IV’s Grotesque (review)
  • ArtDeco Era: Futura, Bank Gothic, Bauhaus & Egyptian (review)
  • Recognize Fonts: (review)
    • Helvetica vs Arial
    • Roman: Modern, Transitional & “Book” Old Style
    • Papyrus & Comic Sans
    • Monospace: Sans & Courier
  • Font Weight (review)
  • Font Spacing (review)
  • Font Hierarchy (review)
  • Font History (recognize select fonts made before 1997)

Grammar

Noun Case
Verb Tense & Mood

  • Advanced Grammar:
  • Noun Case Advanced (review)
  • Prepositions & Prepositional Phrases (review)
  • Noun Case: Nominative, Vocative (review)
  • Noun Case: Accusative, Dative (review)
  • Noun Case: Ablative, Lative (review)
  • Noun Case: Locative, Instrumental (review)
  • Noun Case: Genitive (review)
  • Noun Case: Oblique (review)
  • Genitive Measurables (a bottle of, a cup of, a piece of; review)
  • Gerunds & Infinitives with Noun Case (review)
    • Predicate Infinitive
    • Gerund vs Verbal Noun
  • Verb Voice (review)
  • Verb Mood (review)
  • Uses of Perfect & Future Tenses in Stories & Theories (review)
  • Minimize & Reword (review)
    • Modifiers
    • Word Count
    • Clauses
      • Concessive
      • Dependent

Review Zone 11

Capitalization
Punctuation

  • Awareness of Passive & Active Voice
  • Awareness of Modifiers
  • Awareness of Tone (entertainment-extras vs pure-information)
  • Purpose of Style:
    • Keep the same things the same so that differences can stand out
    • Different types of Style requirements
    • Stay consistent with non-requirements (create your own style)
  • Various Letter Styles
  • Geometric Idea Maps
  • Newswriting
  • Opinion
  • Headline
  • Definition
  • Product Description
  • Story telling
  • 5-Paragraph Essay

Thinking & Stories (Zone 10)

Critical Thinking

  • Rules of Formal Debates
  • Rules of Meetings (Parliamentary Procedure)
    • MC
    • Agenda
    • Motion
    • Second
    • Discussion & “Having the floor”
    • Call to Vote (end discussion)
    • Filibuster
    • Omnibus Motion/Bill
    • Unanimous, Simple Majority, other majorities
    • Voting
      • Voice (yea/nay)
      • Show of Hands
      • Rising Vote (stand up)
      • Roll Call
      • Signed Ballot
    • Special Voting Rules
      • Repeated Balloting (no majority, as if no vote taken)
      • Preferential Voting (lowest preference eliminated if repeated ballot)
      • Cumulative Voting (some members get more than one vote for same candidate)
      • Run Off (in repeat ballot, lowest result eliminated)
  • Rules of Administration
    • Separation of Powers
    • Jurisprudence
    • Procedure & Protocol
      • Citing Rules (when they apply)
      • Combining Powers (to catch the bad guys)
      • Abuse of Power
    • Legislation vs Executive Order
      • Legislative Process (review, approval, voting)
      • Executive Order (quickly done & undone)

Stories

  • Teaching through a Story
    • Teach through events (not ‘preachy’)
    • Teach through dialog of characters (Plato)
    • Read & Observe
    • Write such a story

Zone 12: English Lit & Hermeneutics

  • Objective Meaning vs Likely Symbolism
    • Context in history
    • Original language & style
    • Setting of the writing
    • Background of author
  • Using grammar to clarify meaning
  • Plot Components used by authors
    • Character Development
    • Foreshadowing
    • Character Introduction
    • Plot Element Explanation
    • Plot Goals
    • Plot Challenges
    • Protagonist
    • Antagonist
    • Supporting Character
      • Helper
      • Friend
      • Informer
      • Encourager
      • Witness
    • Plot Devices
    • Chekov’s Gun
    • Ticking Clock
    • Option Exhaustion
    • Crisis-Solution