MATH 9

The 2009 – 2010 school year marked the beginning of a new High School Math Curriculum, starting with changes to the Grade 9 Program of Studies. Great changes have taken place within the curriculum. To use an analogy; what was once a mile wide and a foot deep is now a foot wide and a mile deep.  Alberta Education has reduced the total number of curriculum outcomes but the outcomes that are in the Program of Studies are covered in greater depth with a variety of methods.  There is to be a balance among mental mathematics and estimation, paper and pencil exercises, and the use of technology, including calculators and computers. Concepts should be introduced using manipulatives and be developed concretely, pictorially and symbolically.

The Program of Studies for Mathematics for Grade 9 outlines the knowledge and skills in the following areas: Numbers; Patterns and Relations; Shape and Space; Statistics and Probability. It also outlines the following mathematical processes: Communicating – communicate mathematical ideas orally and in writing; Connections – connect mathematical ideas to other concepts found in other subjects and life experiences; Estimation and Mental Mathematics – these skills are used where appropriate; Problem Solving – Relate and apply new mathematics knowledge to solve problems; Reasoning – reason and justification of thoughts; Technology – choose and use appropriate technology in problem solving; Visualization – use visualization to help solve and understand problems.

The topics include:

Rational Numbers

Powers and Exponents

Introduction to Polynomials

Linear Relations

Multiplying and Dividing Polynomials

Solving Linear Equations

Linear Inequalities

Symmetry and Surface Area

Scale Factors and Similarity

Circle Geometry

Data Analysis

Students will write a Provincial Achievement test in June.