9th grade Social Studies: how to help at home
What your child learns in 9th grade social studies in the Washington State Learning Standards, and simple things to try at home.
Focus areas this year
- Civics: how government works
- Rights and responsibilities of citizens
- Taking part in community and democracy
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
Three Branches
How Articles I, II and III set up Congress, the presidency and the courts, terms and numbers, and how the branches check each other.
Levels of Government
Federalism and which level of government does what, from the national government to Washington State, counties, cities, special districts and Tribal governments.
Rights & the Courts
Landmark Supreme Court cases, civil rights laws and voting amendments, citizens' responsibilities, and how rights are balanced with the common good.
Elections & Voting
How Washington votes by mail, the top-two primary, the Electoral College, districts and the census, and how to judge campaign messages.
How Laws Are Made
How a bill becomes law in Congress and in Olympia, vetoes, initiatives and referendums, regulations and how citizens testify and lobby.
Tribal Sovereignty Today
Tribal governments as sovereign nations, treaty rights, the federal trust responsibility and the government-to-government relationship with Washington State, aligned with Since Time Immemorial.
Taking Part
Ways to take part before and after 18, petitions and peaceful protest, deliberation, and checking news and social media for reliability.
Government & the Economy
How governments raise and spend money, deficits and debt, fiscal and monetary policy, regulation, trade and the role of civil society.
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 Washington 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 Washington State Learning Standards 9th grade social studies units include Three Branches, Levels of Government, Rights & the Courts, Elections & Voting, How Laws Are Made, Tribal Sovereignty Today.
Free printable 9th grade social studies practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.