Grade 9 Math: how to help at home
What your child learns in Grade 9 math in the Newfoundland and Labrador Curriculum, and simple things to try at home.
The Big Ideas this year
- Number sense and number theory. Students will demonstrate number sense and apply number theory concepts.
- Operation sense. Students will demonstrate operation sense and apply operation principles and procedures in both numeric and algebraic situations.
- Patterns and relationships. Students will explore, recognize, represent and apply patterns and relationships, both informally and formally.
- Measurement. Students will demonstrate an understanding of and apply concepts and skills associated with measurement.
- Spatial sense. Students will demonstrate spatial sense and apply geometric concepts, properties and relationships.
- Data management. Students will solve problems involving the collection, display and analysis of data.
- Probability. Students will represent and solve problems involving uncertainty.
Easy ways to practise math at home
- Look for fractions, decimals and percentages in sale signs, sports statistics and recipes.
- Ask your child to explain a problem to you as if you were the student.
- Estimate first (the bill, the trip time), then check with a calculator.
- Keep a tricky-problems list and revisit it every few days instead of re-doing everything.
What each unit covers
Rational Numbers
Adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing fractions and decimals that may be negative, converting between fractions and decimals, ordering rational numbers, and using BEDMAS.
Exponents & Powers
Evaluating powers, using the product, quotient and power laws, working with powers of products and fractions, and order of operations with exponents.
Polynomials
Naming polynomials by terms and degree, combining like terms, subtracting polynomials, multiplying and dividing by a constant, and substituting values for x.
Multi-Step Equations
Solving linear equations with brackets, fractions and variables on both sides, checking solutions, and turning word problems into equations.
Linear Relations
Finding slope from points and graphs, reading y = mx + b, finding intercepts, deciding whether a point is on a line, spotting parallel lines, and using rates of change in stories.
Statistics in Society
Telling a population from a sample, spotting bias in who is asked and how, predicting from a sample, noticing misleading graphs, and why correlation is not causation.
Surface Area of Objects
Finding the surface area of a rectangular prism, of two solids joined together (taking away the faces that are hidden), and of a cylinder written in terms of π.
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 practising 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 Newfoundland and Labrador report card guide.
Common questions
Look for fractions, decimals and percentages in sale signs, sports statistics and recipes. Ask your child to explain a problem to you as if you were the student. Keep sessions short, about 10 to 15 minutes, and stop on a success.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Curriculum Grade 9 math units include rational numbers, exponents & powers, polynomials, multi-step equations, linear relations, statistics in society.
Free printable Grade 9 math practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.