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Grade 9 math: a guide for parents

Learn about the new Grade 9 math course and how you can support your child’s learning.

Key Changes
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Ontario’s Grade 9 math curriculum was last updated in 2005. The table below highlights main changes to the course.

Content and structure
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2005	2021
Students were placed in academic and applied streams. Students found it difficult to connect what they learned from Grade 8 to Grade 9. There were differences between English-language and French-language courses.	There will be one math course for all Grade 9 math students. There will be clear connections from Grade 8 to Grade 9 for students. English-language and French-language courses will be the same while respecting cultural and language differences.

Real-life connections
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2005	2021
There were real-life examples for students that may be outdated and have less relevance in today’s world.	Students will connect what they are learning in class to real-life situations. They will develop an understanding of the importance of math across various cultures.

Working with numbers
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2005	2021
Students were expected to have a solid understanding of numbers and be ready to apply this understanding to new concepts.	Students will continue to develop their understanding of numbers as they learn about integers, fractions, decimal numbers, percentages, ratios and rates and their application in real-life situations.

Algebra
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2005	2021
Learning was focused on linear relations, such as a graph with a straight line.	Students will continue to learn about linear relations. They will also learn about non-linear relations to help students prepare for future math courses. For example, analysing a curved graph and determining the rate of depreciation.

Building confidence in math skills
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2005	2021
Tools and strategies to build confidence in math skills were limited.	Students will learn about tools and strategies to help them recognize their emotions and identify resources that help them build a healthy relationship with math.

Coding
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2005	2021
There was no mandatory learning of coding skills.	Students will continue to build their coding skills from elementary math, including learning to create, read and alter code. They will learn to use coding as a tool to understand complex math concepts, which helps improve their ability to solve problems.

Data literacy
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2005	2021
Learning was focused on collecting and managing data.	Learning will build on the elementary math curriculum as students develop their understanding of data, including how it is collected, used and stored by various organizations.

Geometry and measurement
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2005	2021
Students solved problems involving measurement using metric units.	Students will solve measurement problems using metric and imperial units, which is often used in skilled trades.

Financial literacy
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2005	2021
There were no specific expectations on financial literacy learning.	Students will learn about financial literacy and apply their knowledge to real-life experiences. For example, understanding the appreciation and depreciation of assets, like a car, or learning how to modify a budget based on changes in circumstances.

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