9th grade Social Studies: how to help at home
What your child learns in 9th grade social studies in the Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards, and simple things to try at home.
Focus areas this year
- Theme: Citizenship and Government
- Founding ideas, the Constitution and rights
- The three branches, elections and lawmaking
- Minnesota's state and local government, and economics
Easy ways to practice social studies at home
- Follow a current event together and ask who is affected and why people see it differently.
- Build a timeline of a family event or a historical topic they are studying.
- Use an atlas or online map to trace a trade or travel route.
- Ask “Whose voice is missing from this story?” when reading about the past.
What each unit covers
Taking Part
Ways to take part before and after 18, volunteering and civil society, petitions and peaceful protest, deliberating about tensions in our democracy, and checking news for reliability.
Media & Democracy
Why a free and responsible press matters, broadcast, print and online media, how officials use media to shape opinion, and how to spot misinformation, bias and spin.
Minnesota's Government
The powers and operations of Minnesota's government under its constitution: the Legislature, the governor and other statewide officers, the courts, the state budget, counties, cities, townships and school districts, and how Tribal governments work with the state.
Foundations of Democracy
Practices the founding ideas of the US government (natural rights, popular sovereignty, the social contract, limited government and the rule of law) and why democratic values matter for fair elections.
Three Branches
Practices the purposes, organization and powers of Congress, the president and the federal courts under Articles 1 to 3 of the Constitution, and checks and balances.
Rights & Responsibilities
Practices the rights in the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and later amendments, their limits, and the responsibilities and duties of people in a republic.
Landmark Supreme Court Cases
Practices landmark Supreme Court cases and how the Court has interpreted due process and equal protection over time.
Elections & Voting
Practices how people register and vote, primaries and parties, the Electoral College, campaigns and polls, and redistricting, with how Minnesota runs its elections.
How Laws Are Made
Practices how a bill becomes a law in Congress and in the Minnesota Legislature, committees, vetoes and overrides, regulations, the kinds of laws, and how citizens influence lawmaking.
Supply & Demand
Practices how buyers and sellers set market prices, what shifts supply and demand, and shortages and surpluses.
What the report card levels look like at home
- Beginning
- Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
- Approaching
- Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practicing the tricky parts.
- Meeting
- Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Exceeding
- Applies it confidently, even in new or harder situations. Try challenge mode and real-life problems.
Your child’s teacher decides the level on the report card. Read the Minnesota report card guide.
Common questions
Follow a current event together and ask who is affected and why people see it differently. Build a timeline of a family event or a historical topic they are studying. Keep sessions short, about 10 to 15 minutes, and stop on a success.
The Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards 9th grade social studies units include Taking Part, Media & Democracy, Minnesota's Government, Foundations of Democracy, Three Branches, Rights & Responsibilities.
Free printable 9th grade social studies practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.