Rhetoric 1 (Ages 14+) — Agenda + Live Mentorship
About Course
See our 2026–2027 Academic Calendar for all important dates.
Rhetoric 1 Books & Materials
Everything your student uses this year — designed for ages 14+, built on trusted classical curriculum.
Look for the badge on each book — we cover some, you provide others.
The Lost Tools of Writing — Persuasive
ISBN 978-0986325717
Family provides
The Lost Tools of Writing — Comparison
ISBN 978-0999146699
Family provides
The Riot and the Dance
ISBN 978-1591281238
Family provides
Everyday Debate
ISBN 978-1600512933
Family provides
The Discovery of Deduction
ISBN 978-1600510335
Family provides
Socratic Logic
ISBN 978-1587318085
Optional
Lost Tools of Writing — Level I Teacher’s Edition
ISBN 978-0986325700
Optional
Self-Reliance & Other Essays
ISBN 978-0486277905
Family provides
Starship Troopers
ISBN 978-0441014101
Family provides
The Call of the Wild
ISBN 978-0486264721
Family provides
The Giver
ISBN 978-0385732550
Family provides
The Gold-Bug and Other Tales
ISBN 978-0486268750
Family provides
The Hunger Games
ISBN 978-0439023528
Family provides
The Old Man and the Sea
ISBN 978-0684801223
Family provides
The Witch of Blackbird Pond
ISBN 978-0440995777
Family provides
Through Gates of Splendor
ISBN 978-0842371520
Family provides
To Kill a Mockingbird
ISBN 978-0060935467
Family provides
Something Beautiful for God
ISBN 978-0060660437
Family provides
Up From Slavery
ISBN 978-0486287386
Family provides
Want this year’s book list?
Download the Rhetoric 1 book list — every title, author, and purchase link for this level, in one place.
Every subject in the weekly agenda has two parts: the plan for class day, and the reading and work done at home on a schedule that fits your week.
EExpositionEssay writing and literature+
ON CLASS DAY
- Dive into the week’s novel together: characters, personalities and conflicts
- Learn the next Lost Tools of Writing lesson
AT HOME
- Read the week’s chapters
- Work through the essay lesson on your own schedule
LLogicFormal logic+
ON CLASS DAY
- Talk through the review question answers
- Go deeper on the week’s lesson together
AT HOME
- Read the week’s textbook lesson
- Answer the review questions and check your answers
- Try the extra deduction exercise
DDebateEveryday debate+
ON CLASS DAY
- Talk about why and how we debate
- Practice what the chapter teaches
AT HOME
- Read the chapter in Everyday Debate
- Think over what you read and be ready to discuss
SScienceBiology+
ON CLASS DAY
- Discuss the chapter review questions
- Learn how lab reports work, step by step
AT HOME
- Read the week’s biology chapter
- Answer the review questions, grade them and share with a parent
Subjects and activities change by week. This is a typical Rhetoric 1 week. See a full GCE week →
Rhetoric 2 advances into more sophisticated persuasive writing, deeper literature, and personal finance.