Grade 9 (9th grade) curriculum

These are the 24 grade-level skills CubbyEd teaches in 9th grade: Math, English Language Arts, Science, History, Latin, Logic, Catholic Religion. Each one gets lessons, practice and mastery checks. Parents and teachers choose the subjects and track progress.

Math

• Absolute value equations
  Solve |ax+b| = c and graph absolute value functions.
  Why it matters: Distance, error, tolerance.
  Algebra · Standards: HSF-IF.C.7b
• Linear functions: point-slope and standard
  Convert between point-slope, slope-intercept, and standard forms.
  Why it matters: Algebraic flexibility.
  Algebra · Standards: HSA-CED.A.2
• Factor quadratics
  Factor x² + bx + c and ax² + bx + c.
  Why it matters: Solves quadratic equations.
  Algebra · Standards: HSA-SSE.A.2
• Quadratic formula
  Apply x = (-b ± √(b²-4ac))/2a to solve ax² + bx + c = 0.
  Why it matters: Universal quadratic solver; SAT staple.
  Algebra · Standards: HSA-REI.B.4
• Systems of three linear equations
  Solve 3x3 systems by elimination or substitution.
  Why it matters: Multivariable algebra.
  Algebra · Standards: HSA-REI.C.6
• Exponential functions
  Model growth and decay with y = a·b^x.
  Why it matters: Compound interest, population, radioactivity.
  Functions · Standards: HSF-LE.A.1

English Language Arts

• Figurative language
  Metaphor, simile, personification, hyperbole.
  Why it matters: Literary analysis vocabulary.
  Literature · Standards: L.9-10.5a
• Ethos, pathos, logos
  Aristotle's three modes of persuasion.
  Why it matters: Backbone of classical rhetoric.
  Rhetoric · Standards: RI.9-10.6
• Vocabulary in context
  Determine word meaning from passage context.
  Why it matters: SAT/ACT staple.
  Vocabulary · Standards: RI.9-10.4
• Transitional language
  Use however, therefore, in addition, etc. precisely.
  Why it matters: SAT/ACT transition questions.
  Writing · Standards: L.9-10.6

Science

• Evolution by natural selection
  Variation, heritability, differential reproduction.
  Why it matters: Unifying principle of biology.
  Life · Standards: HS-LS4-2, HS-LS4-4

History

• Renaissance and Reformation
  Italian humanism; Luther's theses.
  Why it matters: Modern world's threshold.
  Modern · Standards: D2.His.1.9-12

Latin

• Subjunctive mood
  Conditional, purpose, indirect questions.
  Why it matters: Advanced Latin syntax.
  Grammar · Strand

Logic

• Post hoc ergo propter hoc
  Confusing sequence with cause.
  Why it matters: Science literacy.
  Fallacies · Strand
• Slippery slope
  Assuming one step leads inevitably to extreme outcome.
  Why it matters: Everyday rhetoric.
  Fallacies · Strand

Catholic Religion (optional, for Catholic schools and families)

• Creed (G9)
  Who God is and what we believe at the grade9 level.
  Why it matters: Faith seeks understanding of the living God.
  Creed · Standards: CCC, USCCB
• Liturgical Life (G9)
  The Church year and worship at the grade9 level.
  Why it matters: The liturgy makes present the mystery of Christ.
  Liturgical Life · Standards: CCC, USCCB
• Moral Life (G9)
  Freedom, virtue, and the commandments of love at the grade9 level.
  Why it matters: Discipleship is lived in daily moral choices.
  Moral Life · Standards: CCC, USCCB
• Prayer (G9)
  How we speak and listen to God at the grade9 level.
  Why it matters: Prayer is the living relationship with God.
  Prayer · Standards: CCC, USCCB
• Divine Revelation
  Scripture and Tradition as one deposit of faith
  Why it matters: Knowing how God reveals Himself anchors all theology.
  Revelation · Standards: CCC, USCCB
• Sacraments (G9)
  How Christ acts through the sacraments at the grade9 level.
  Why it matters: Sacraments are encounters with Christ, not empty rituals.
  Sacraments · Standards: CCC, USCCB
• Sacred Scripture (G9)
  How God speaks in the Bible at the grade9 level.
  Why it matters: Scripture is the soul of theology and catechesis.
  Sacred Scripture · Standards: CCC, USCCB
• Saints & Mary (G9)
  Models of holiness and communion of saints at the grade9 level.
  Why it matters: The saints show holiness is possible.
  Saints & Mary · Standards: CCC, USCCB
• The Church (G9)
  People of God, Body of Christ, mission at the grade9 level.
  Why it matters: No one is a Christian alone.
  The Church · Standards: CCC, USCCB

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Reading list: see the CubbyEd great books library.