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What an 11-year-old learns

197 topics open up at age 11, across 12 subjects. They are listed in the order they build on each other, not by importance: each one needs the ones above it.

age 10age 12
What should an 11-year-old be learning?

At age 11, 197 topics open up across Science, Mathematics, English, History, Civics & Economics, Geography, Personal & Social Development, Arts & Music, Languages, Design & Technology, Computing, Learning to Learn. Each one has prerequisites that come first, so the order matters more than the list: Cells Under the Microscope is a typical starting point.

How do I know what an 11-year-old already knows?

LightMySky starts by assuming everything below the learner’s level is already known, then checks the assumption as they practise. What holds up stays lit; what does not comes back for review.

Science

  1. Cells Under the MicroscopeOrganisms & Life Processes
  2. Nutrients in a Healthy DietOrganisms & Life Processes
  3. Calculating Dietary EnergyOrganisms & Life Processes
  4. Diet Imbalance & DeficiencyOrganisms & Life Processes
  5. Parts of Plant and Animal CellsOrganisms & Life Processes
  6. Plant cells vs animal cellsOrganisms & Life Processes
  7. Cells to organ systemsOrganisms & Life Processes
  8. PhotosynthesisOrganisms & Life Processes
  9. Single-Celled OrganismsOrganisms & Life Processes
  10. Using a MicroscopeOrganisms & Life Processes
  11. Global Wind PatternsWeather & Climate
  12. Greenhouse Gas ScienceWeather & Climate
  13. Current, voltage, and what they measureEnergy
  14. Static electricity and sparksEnergy
  15. Wave properties & typesWaves, Light & Sound
  16. Analog and Digital SignalsWaves, Light & Sound
  17. How Sound Waves TravelWaves, Light & Sound
  18. Energy stores and transfersEnergy
  19. Energy can't be created or destroyedEnergy
  20. Mass vs WeightForces & Motion
  21. Reading Distance-Time GraphsForces & Motion
  22. Resultant ForcesForces & Motion
  23. Speed & Distance-Time GraphsForces & Motion
  24. Relative MotionForces & Motion
  25. Phases of the MoonSpace Systems & Earth's History
  26. The solar system (age 11+)Space Systems & Earth's History
  27. Finding ExoplanetsSpace Exploration
  28. Why We Have SeasonsSpace Systems & Earth's History
  29. Magnetic FieldsForces & Motion
  30. Reflection & RefractionWaves, Light & Sound
  31. White Light & ColourWaves, Light & Sound
  32. Observing with Light WavesSpace Exploration
  33. The Water Cycle in DetailEcosystems & Habitats
  34. The Particle ModelMatter & Materials
  35. Atoms, Elements & CompoundsMatter & Materials
  36. Radiometric DatingDinosaurs & Paleontology
  37. How Materials Change StateMatter & Materials
  38. Physical vs Chemical ChangesMatter & Materials
  39. The Periodic TableMatter & Materials
  40. Metals vs Non-MetalsMatter & Materials
  41. Deep-sea life without sunlightOcean Life
  42. Dinosaur-to-Bird TransitionDinosaurs & Paleontology
  43. Food Webs & InterdependenceEcosystems & Habitats
  44. Energy Loss Between LevelsEcosystems & Habitats
  45. Pollination & Pollinator DeclineEcosystems & Habitats
  46. Pure Substances & MixturesMatter & Materials
  47. Choosing How to Separate MixturesMatter & Materials
  48. Ocean Currents and Global HeatOcean Life
  49. The Red Queen HypothesisAnimals of the World
  50. Assessing Hazards and RisksScientific Inquiry
  51. Controlling variables (age 11+)Scientific Inquiry
  52. Precision, accuracy and significant figuresScientific Inquiry
  53. Scientific Quantities and UnitsScientific Inquiry
  54. Seismic Waves & Earth's InteriorVolcanoes & Earthquakes
  55. How Tectonic Plates MoveVolcanoes & Earthquakes
  56. The Human SkeletonOrganisms & Life Processes
  57. Joints, Tendons & LigamentsOrganisms & Life Processes
  58. Muscles Work in PairsOrganisms & Life Processes
  59. Digestion & EnzymesOrganisms & Life Processes
  60. Immunity & VaccinesThe Human Body
  61. Neurons & Brain StructureThe Human Body

Mathematics

  1. 3-D shapes (age 11+)Geometry
  2. Geometric terms and notationGeometry
  3. Properties of triangles, quadrilaterals and circlesGeometry
  4. Factors, multiples, and primes (age 11+)Multiplication & Division
  5. Using inverse operationsMultiplication & Division
  6. Calculations with fractions, decimals and negativesFractions
  7. Decimals and fractions (age 11+)Fractions
  8. Understanding angles (age 11+)Geometry
  9. Integer powers and rootsNumber Representation & Place Value
  10. Order of operations with powers and rootsMultiplication & Division
  11. Statistical QuestionsData & Statistics
  12. Positive and Negative NumbersAddition & Subtraction
  13. Sign Rules for Multiplication and DivisionMultiplication & Division
  14. Absolute value as distance from zeroNumber Representation & Place Value
  15. Place value for decimals, measures and integersNumber Representation & Place Value
  16. Order integers, decimals and fractions on a number lineNumber Representation & Place Value
  17. Rounding to decimal places and significant figuresNumber Representation & Place Value
  18. Area and volume formulaeGeometry
  19. Surface Area of SolidsGeometry
  20. Algebraic NotationAlgebra
  21. Angle sums in triangles and polygonsGeometry
  22. Coordinates (age 11+)Algebra
  23. Coordinate TransformationsGeometry
  24. Modelling Situations with Formulae and GraphsAlgebra
  25. Substituting into FormulaeAlgebra
  26. Generating SequencesAlgebra
  27. Ratio NotationRatio & Proportion
  28. Proportion GraphsRatio & Proportion
  29. Proportional Reasoning VocabularyRatio & Proportion
  30. Dividing Quantities by RatioRatio & Proportion
  31. One Quantity as a FractionRatio & Proportion
  32. Unit ConversionsRatio & Proportion
  33. Scale drawings and mapsRatio & Proportion
  34. Accurate drawing and scale diagramsGeometry
  35. Percentages as fractionsRatio & Proportion
  36. Fractions and percentages of amountsFractions
  37. Dividing fractionsFractions
  38. Frequency tables, bar charts and pie chartsData & Statistics
  39. Comparing data sets with averages and rangeData & Statistics
  40. Expressions & Equations VocabularyAlgebra
  41. Collecting Like TermsAlgebra
  42. Expanding Single BracketsAlgebra
  43. Solving linear equationsAlgebra
  44. Inequalities and their solution setsAlgebra
  45. Compound UnitsRatio & Proportion
  46. The Probability ScaleProbability
  47. Complementary eventsProbability
  48. Experimental probabilityProbability
  49. Using a Calculator WellMathematical Thinking
  50. How a Chart Can MisleadData & Statistics

English

  1. Purpose, audience, and contextReading Comprehension
  2. Applying Spelling Rules to Complex WordsSpelling & Word Study
  3. Phrases & ClausesGrammar & Punctuation
  4. Literary and Language TerminologyGrammar & Punctuation
  5. Pronoun Case and ReferenceGrammar & Punctuation
  6. Types of SentencesGrammar & Punctuation
  7. Vocabulary StrategiesVocabulary
  8. Analysing Text StructureReading Comprehension
  9. Following Multi-Step ProceduresReading Comprehension
  10. Tracing Theme Across a TextReading Comprehension
  11. Digital Writing and PublishingWriting Composition
  12. Research & Source EvaluationWriting Composition
  13. Academic VocabularyVocabulary
  14. Advanced Punctuation for ClarityGrammar & Punctuation
  15. Cohesion and Transitions Across WritingWriting Composition
  16. Developed Informational and Explanatory WritingWriting Composition
  17. Writing Character & DialogueWriting Composition
  18. Writing Across GenresWriting Composition
  19. Critical comparison across textsReading Comprehension
  20. Wide Independent Reading Across GenresReading Comprehension
  21. Planning, Revising and Editing WritingWriting Composition
  22. Standard EnglishGrammar & Punctuation
  23. Speaking Formally and Giving PresentationsSpeaking & Listening
  24. Using and Evaluating Textual EvidenceReading Comprehension
  25. Evaluating arguments in non-fictionReading Comprehension
  26. Figurative Language and Literary DevicesReading Comprehension
  27. Plot Structure and Character DevelopmentReading Comprehension
  28. Narrative Perspective and Unreliable NarratorsReading Comprehension
  29. Poetic forms and conventionsReading Comprehension
  30. Understanding drama and performanceReading Comprehension
  31. Advanced Figurative LanguageVocabulary
  32. Writing Techniques for EffectWriting Composition
  33. Persuasive WritingWriting Composition
  34. Performing Scripts & PoetrySpeaking & Listening

History

  1. Change and ContinuityHistorical Thinking
  2. Inclusion and Exclusion in AthensAncient Greece & Rome
  3. The King, Parliament and the Civil WarBritain Through Time
  4. Egyptian Maths, Engineering and MedicineAncient Egypt
  5. Hidden Voices of Greece and RomeAncient Greece & Rome
  6. Troy: Myth or History?Ancient Greece & Rome
  7. China's First EmpiresWorld History
  8. Historical SignificanceHistorical Thinking
  9. Weighing Historical CausesHistorical Thinking
  10. Historical Sources on Ancient EgyptAncient Egypt
  11. Modern Archaeology and Egyptian EthicsAncient Egypt
  12. The Silk RoadsWorld History
  13. India From the Vedas to the GuptaWorld History
  14. Belief Systems That TravelledWorld History
  15. The Rise of Islam and Its First EmpiresWorld History
  16. Britain, the Slave Trade and AbolitionBritain Through Time
  17. The Victorian CityBritain Through Time

Civics & Economics

  1. Deliberation and Democratic Decision-MakingCitizenship in Action
  2. How Markets WorkEconomics
  3. Money, Banking and Interest RatesEconomics
  4. Public Policy and Public ProblemsCitizenship in Action
  5. Citizens in Public LifeCitizenship in Action
  6. Constitutions and Separation of PowersGovernment
  7. Democratic Ideals and Founding DocumentsGovernment
  8. Parties, Interest Groups and the MediaGovernment

Geography

  1. Thematic Maps and GISMaps & Globes
  2. Comparing World RegionsPlaces & Regions
  3. Environmental Change and ConflictPeople & Environments
  4. Geography of World TradePeople & Environments
  5. Settlements, Movement and ConnectionsPeople & Environments
  6. How a River Shapes Its ValleyPhysical Geography
  7. From Source to SeaPhysical Geography
  8. Coasts on the MovePhysical Geography

Personal & Social Development

  1. Social Cues and Group DynamicsFriendship & Cooperation
  2. Brain science of emotionsEmotional Literacy
  3. Good Stress and Bad StressSelf-Regulation & Resilience
  4. Systemic Inequality and AllyshipEmpathy & Social Awareness
  5. Risk, Uncertainty, and Cognitive BiasResponsible Decision-Making

Arts & Music

  1. Scales, Keys and Musical MoodMusic
  2. The Families of the OrchestraMusic
  3. Looking at a Picture: What to Notice FirstVisual Art
  4. How a Play Gets MadePerforming Arts

Languages

  1. Listening to Real SpeechSounds & Conversation
  2. Keeping a Conversation GoingSounds & Conversation
  3. Telling a Story About YourselfSounds & Conversation
  4. Gender, Case and Noun ClassesGrammar Across Languages

Design & Technology

  1. Electronics in a Product: Switch, Sensor, OutputDesigning & Making
  2. Iterative Design and PrototypingDesigning & Making
  3. Reading a Food LabelFood & Cooking

Computing

  1. Spreadsheets: Rows, Columns and a Formula That Updates ItselfDigital Literacy
  2. Reusing Someone Else's Work: Licences and Giving CreditDigital Literacy

Learning to Learn

  1. Framing Research QuestionsLearning to Learn
What an 11-year-old learns · LightMySky