What your child learns in 9th grade in Alabama
9th grade is the first year of high school. Alabama's usual math course is Geometry with Data Analysis, with Algebra I with Probability for some students, and many students take Biology. Social studies finishes the world history sequence with the Age of Revolution to the present: industrialization, the world wars, the Cold War and globalization.
9th grade subjects in the Alabama Course of Study
Math
Focus areas
- Numbers and operations: Geometry with Data Analysis: rewriting radicals, and Algebra I with Probability for students on that path
- Measurement, data and geometry: transformations, congruence and similarity, right triangles, circles, and statistics
- Student mathematical practices: making sense of problems and explaining reasoning
18 units, including Number Sets, Rearranging Formulas, Lines & Intersections, Linear Relations.
English Language Arts
Focus areas
- Reading: complex literary and informational texts
- Writing, speaking and listening: argument and research, and discussion
- Vocabulary and language: building word knowledge and using grammar, spelling and punctuation
12 units, including Close Reading, Literary Elements, Grammar & Style, Word Detective.
Science
Focus areas
- Biology: cells, DNA and heredity, evolution, and ecosystems
- Science and engineering practices: explaining with evidence and models
- Engineering design: solving real problems in Alabama and beyond
14 units, including Cell Types, Transport & Specialization, Biomolecules & Enzymes, DNA, RNA & Proteins, Cells from Cells.
Social Studies
Focus areas
- Course: World History and Geography: Age of Revolution to Present
- Revolutions and the Industrial Revolution
- Imperialism and the world wars
13 units, including Age of Revolutions, The French Revolution & Napoleon, The Industrial Revolution, Nationalism, 1848–1914.
Printable 9th grade sheets
One free practice sheet for each subject, with an answer key. Print them, or work through them on screen.
- 9th grade MathNumber Sets, Rearranging FormulasOpen the sheet →
- 9th grade English Language ArtsClose Reading, Literary ElementsOpen the sheet →
- 9th grade ScienceCell Types, Transport & Specialization, Biomolecules & EnzymesOpen the sheet →
- 9th grade Social StudiesAge of Revolutions, The French Revolution & NapoleonOpen the sheet →
What to look for on the report card
Look for comments on planning ahead for course choices and credits, explaining reasoning in math and weighing evidence in science and English.
Alabama has no statewide report-card scale in 9th grade, so Gradelings describes practice in four steps: Beginning, Approaching, Meeting, Exceeding. See what each level means.
Alabama's learning practices apply in every grade. Read about Learning practices.
The four practice steps in 9th grade
- Beginning
- Practice shows a first understanding of the content standards. Most answers still need a hint or a second try.
- At home: Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
- Approaching
- Practice shows a partial understanding of the content standards. Some answers are right on the first try.
- At home: Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practicing the tricky parts.
- Meeting
- Practice shows a solid understanding of the content standards. Most answers are right on the first try.
- At home: Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Exceeding
- Practice shows a deep understanding of the content standards, including harder, unfamiliar questions.
- At home: Applies it confidently, even in new or harder situations. Try challenge mode and real-life problems.
Ready for 9th grade?
9th grade builds on what your child practiced in 8th grade. If a skill feels shaky, a few short practice sessions before or early in the year can help:
- Math: Squares, Cubes & Roots, Patterns & Two-Step Equations, Pythagorean Theorem, Surface Area & Volume, Big, Small & Real Numbers
- English Language Arts: Close Reading, Literary Devices, Word Study, Irony, Satire & Allusion, Whose Story Is It?
- Science: Mixtures & Solutions, Density & Buoyancy, Particles & Matter, Atoms & Elements, The Periodic Table
- Social Studies: Rome's Fall & Byzantium, The Islamic World, Empires of Asia, African Kingdoms & Empires, Maya, Aztec & Inca
Common questions
9th grade covers math, English language arts, science, social studies in the Alabama Course of Study. 9th grade is the first year of high school. Alabama's usual math course is Geometry with Data Analysis, with Algebra I with Probability for some students, and many students take Biology. Social studies finishes the world history sequence with the Age of Revolution to the present: industrialization, the world wars, the Cold War and globalization.
Alabama has no statewide report-card scale in 9th grade, so Gradelings describes practice in four steps: Beginning, Approaching, Meeting, Exceeding.
Practice shows a solid understanding of the content standards. Most answers are right on the first try. At home: Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
9th grade builds on 8th grade. In math, that means Squares, Cubes & Roots, Patterns & Two-Step Equations, Pythagorean Theorem. In English language arts, that means Close Reading, Literary Devices, Word Study.
About 15 minutes a day of short practice works better than long sessions, on the skills your child's teacher flags. Look for fractions, decimals and percentages in sale signs, sports statistics and recipes. Read what they are interested in: graphic novels, sports pages, series. Then talk about it. Praise effort, and stop on a success.
Practice 9th grade skills with Gradelings
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