Month 1 of 10 · Weeks 1–4
September: Welcome / Foundations and Maps
September sets up the habits of a ninth grader: reading closely and proving every claim with evidence, simplifying and solving in Algebra 1, running a real controlled experiment, and learning how geographers and historians know what they know. We start with short stories, expressions and equations, the scientific method and the first cells, and the maps and timelines that frame world history.
Goals this month
Reading & writing
Cite strong textual evidence, make inferences, analyze how an author structures a story and builds suspense, and write a clear claim-evidence-explanation paragraph.
RL.9-10.1, RL.9-10.5, W.9-10.1, L.9-10.4b
Math
Interpret parts of expressions, simplify with the distributive property and like terms, and solve linear equations and inequalities in one variable, explaining each step.
HSA-SSE.A.1, HSA-SSE.A.2, HSA-REI.A.1, HSA-REI.B.3, HSA-CED.A.1
Science
Plan and carry out a controlled investigation about homeostasis, describe the characteristics of life and the levels of organization, and explain cell theory, organelles and transport across the membrane.
HS-LS1-3, HS-LS1-2, HS-LS1-6
Social studies
Use maps, the five themes of geography and historical sources to explain where early people lived, how the Neolithic revolution changed life, and what made the first civilizations possible.
C3 D2.Geo.1.9-12, D2.Geo.2.9-12, D2.His.1.9-12, D2.His.9.9-12
Weeks
- Week1Reading Like a DetectiveRoots scrib/script and graph · Expressions and order of operations · Scientific method · Five themes of geography · 5 day plans
- Week2Questions and SourcesRoots spec/spect and vis/vid · Properties and like terms · Characteristics of life · How historians know · 5 day plans
- Week3From Caves to FieldsRoots log/logy and bio · Solving linear equations · Cell theory and organelles · Paleolithic to Neolithic · 5 day plans
- Week4Rivers and CellsPrefixes equi-, uni-, bi-, tri- · Equations from words and inequalities · Cell transport · First civilizations · 5 day plans
Student games this month
Script and Graph Expression Explorer Map Master Spectator Sport Like Terms Lab Variable Hunt Evidence Locker Equation Solver Stone to Seed Equal Parts Inequality Island Cell City