What your child learns in 9th grade in New York
9th grade is the first year of high school. Math in Gradelings follows New York's Algebra I course (expressions, equations, functions and data), which ends with the Algebra I Regents Exam. English classes read and write more closely, and science is a high school course such as Earth and Space Sciences or Life Science: Biology. Social studies is Global History and Geography I: early civilizations, belief systems, classical empires, trade networks and the world up to about 1750.
9th grade subjects in the New York State Learning Standards
Math
Focus areas
- Algebra I: expressions, polynomials, and linear and quadratic equations and inequalities
- Functions: linear, exponential and quadratic functions, their graphs and their key features
- Statistics: describing data, two-way tables, scatter plots and lines of best fit
22 units, including Exponents & Powers, Polynomials, Multi-Step Equations, Linear Relations.
English Language Arts
Focus areas
- Reading: inference, theme, literary elements and the author's craft
- Writing: research, conflicting sources and citing
- Speaking and listening: analyzing media messages and their appeals
14 units, including Close Reading, Literary Elements, Grammar & Style, Word Detective.
Science
Focus areas
- Life science: cells, body systems, DNA, ecosystems and evolution
- Earth science: early Earth, plate tectonics, weather, climate and landscapes
- Space science: the moon, tides, seasons, stars and the universe
28 units, including Cells from Cells, Reproduction, Photosynthesis & Respiration, Human Reproductive System.
Social Studies
Focus areas
- Global History and Geography I: early civilizations to about 1750
- Belief systems, classical empires and the trade networks that linked them
- Postclassical powers in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas
16 units, including First Farmers, Where Civilizations Grew, Greece & Rome, Trade Networks.
Printable 9th grade sheets
One free practice sheet for each subject, with an answer key. Print them, or work through them on screen.
What to look for on the report card
Look for comments on planning ahead for course choices and credits, explaining reasoning in math, lab work in science and weighing perspectives in social studies and English.
New York 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.
New York's social emotional learning benchmarks apply in every grade. Read about Social emotional learning.
The four practice steps in 9th grade
- Beginning
- Practice shows a first understanding of the learning 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 learning 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 learning 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 learning 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: Light & Radiation, Cells & Life Processes, Motion, Forces & Newton’s Laws, Kinetic & Potential Energy, Fields & Forces at a Distance
- Social Studies: Reconstruction, Industrial America, Immigrants & the Growing City, Workers & Progressives, Expansion & Empire
Common questions
9th grade covers math, English language arts, science, social studies in the New York State Learning Standards. 9th grade is the first year of high school. Math in Gradelings follows New York's Algebra I course (expressions, equations, functions and data), which ends with the Algebra I Regents Exam. English classes read and write more closely, and science is a high school course such as Earth and Space Sciences or Life Science: Biology. Social studies is Global History and Geography I: early civilizations, belief systems, classical empires, trade networks and the world up to about 1750.
New York 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 learning 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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