Sequencing of Fundamentals

Goals

1. Describe the sequencing of fundamentals.
2. Skillfully do this for your own learning or accomplishing.
3. Guide a striver (person who is seeking to learn or accomplish) so that they effectively sequence fundamentals.

Fundamentals (What)

Let X = anything that can be learned or accomplished. A fundamental of X is something that is essential for success (reaching goals).

If you ignore or skip the fundamentals, you will likely struggle, fail, or perform far below your potential.

If you master the fundamentals, you maximize your chances of success—or even guarantee success in contexts where luck and external factors are not significant.

Fundamentals can be skills, concepts, principles, heuristics, theories, beliefs, methods, and so on.

Sequencing of Fundamentals

Sequencing of fundamentals refers to organizing them in the best order for the striver (person who seeks to learn and accomplish).

How to Sequence Fundamentals (Learning)

To sequence fundamentals effectively, consider:

• Easy → Hard: Begin with what is simple and confidence-building.
• High Utility First: Teach the most useful or high-impact fundamentals early.
• Prerequisite Logic: Follow the natural dependency order—teach foundational skills before those that rely on them.
• High Frequency Use First: Focus on fundamentals that will be used often.
• Motivation Boosting: Introduce early wins to keep strivers engaged.

Examples (Learning)

Fundamentals sequenced for learning to drive

adjusting the seat and mirrors → understanding the pedals and controls → starting the car → steering and staying in lane → stopping smoothly → driving in a parking lot → backing up and turning → using signals and checking blind spots → driving on an easy road with no traffic → driving in light traffic → merging and changing lanes → driving on busy roads → driving at night and in bad weather → parking in various situations → highway driving

Fundamentals sequenced for learning chemistry

understanding atoms and elements → learning the periodic table → distinguishing between physical and chemical changes → understanding molecules and chemical bonds → balancing chemical equations → mastering types of chemical reactions → learning about moles and molar mass → using dimensional analysis and stoichiometry → understanding states of matter and gas laws → exploring solutions, concentrations, and solubility → studying acids, bases, and pH → learning thermochemistry and energy changes → understanding reaction rates and equilibrium → exploring redox reactions and electrochemistry → applying organic and nuclear chemistry basics

Fundamentals sequenced for learning news literacy

understanding what news is and why it matters → distinguishing between fact, opinion, and analysis → recognizing credible sources → identifying bias and loaded language → checking for evidence and logical reasoning → understanding how headlines and images influence perception → evaluating the reliability of digital content → spotting misinformation, disinformation, and fake news → using fact-checking tools and techniques → recognizing the role of algorithms and echo chambers → understanding the economics and incentives behind news media → developing habits for consuming diverse and trustworthy news sources → practicing responsible sharing and civic engagement with news

Fundamentals sequenced for learning statics

understanding units and significant figures → mastering vector addition and resolution → learning Newton’s laws and equilibrium → drawing and interpreting free-body diagrams → analyzing forces in 2D and 3D → solving for reactions in beams and supports → understanding moments and couples → applying the concept of equivalent force systems → using the method of joints and method of sections in trusses → analyzing frames and machines → calculating centroids and centers of mass → working with distributed loads → understanding friction and its applications → solving statics problems systematically with proper assumptions and checks