Free Christian Curriculum Kindergarten through twelfth grade · free to download

Grade 9 · 15 units · 180 lessons · 1,800 questions

English Language Arts

World literature from Gilgamesh to Tolstoy, academic essays, MLA research papers, and SAT vocabulary.

About this course

Ninth grade is a world literature course with a full composition and grammar program attached. The literature survey is genuinely global and genuinely old: the Epic of Gilgamesh, Homer's Odyssey, the Book of Job read as wisdom literature with its prose frame and poetic dialogues, the Psalms, Virgil's Aeneid, Dante's Divine Comedy, Cervantes's Don Quixote, African oral literature, Japanese haiku, a Garcia Marquez short story, and Tolstoy's The Death of Ivan Ilyich. A second literature unit works through Achebe's Things Fall Apart, Shakespeare's language and sonnets, O. Henry, Ray Bradbury, C.S. Lewis's The Screwtape Letters, and Dostoevsky, then turns back to biblical narrative and Hebrew poetic parallelism, and closes with missionary biography. Each of these is a substantial lesson that gives the work's structure, historical setting, literary techniques, and central question, not a book report prompt.

Composition covers the paragraph, the five-paragraph essay, personal narrative, descriptive, expository, analytical, literary analysis, argumentative, and compare-contrast essays, revision, and a final portfolio. Grammar is a complete high school review in one unit: the eight parts of speech, phrases, clauses, all four sentence types, run-ons and comma splices, fragments, both kinds of agreement, all twelve verb tenses, modifier placement, and punctuation. Research runs a full MLA paper end to end, from research question through source evaluation, note-taking, works cited, outline, draft, source integration, two rounds of revision, proofreading, and an oral presentation. Vocabulary includes Latin and Greek roots, connotation and word choice, two sets of SAT and ACT words with definitions and usage, and the technical vocabulary of literary analysis and composition. A communication unit covers impromptu and prepared speaking, formal debate, Socratic seminar, interviews, and handling conflict.

The course is 180 lessons across 15 units, twelve per unit, one per school day, at about 55 minutes each. It is worth understanding how it is arranged. Units 1 through 8 teach the eight strands, and units 9 through 15 then cover the same seven strands and the same individual lesson topics again, but written out fresh as longer flowing prose rather than the bulleted first version. So the Book of Job, subject-verb agreement, and the analytical essay each get two different treatments during the year, typically 320 words the first time and 440 the second. Some students benefit from meeting a difficult idea twice in two voices; if yours does not, you can treat the second pass as optional review and reclaim the days. Every lesson ends with a ten-question quiz that grades itself. Coming in, your student should be able to read a full-length book independently, write a thesis-driven essay, and handle grammar terminology, since grade 9 reviews it rather than teaching it from scratch. Several works discussed here deal with suffering, war, mortality, and colonialism, handled seriously and without sensationalism, but you may want to know that before assigning them.

What the course covers

What your student will be able to do

Scope and sequence

All 15 units of English Language Arts for Grade 9, in the order they are taught.

UnitCoversLessonsQuestions
Unit 1Phonics and Reading12120Lessons
Unit 2Vocabulary Building12120Lessons
Unit 3Reading Comprehension12120Lessons
Unit 4Grammar Foundations12120Lessons
Unit 5Writing Skills12120Lessons
Unit 6Literature Study12120Lessons
Unit 7Research and Reports12120Lessons
Unit 8Communication12120Lessons
Unit 9Phonics and Reading12120Lessons
Unit 10Vocabulary Building12120Lessons
Unit 11Reading Comprehension12120Lessons
Unit 12Grammar Foundations12120Lessons
Unit 13Writing Skills12120Lessons
Unit 14Literature Study12120Lessons
Unit 15Research and Reports12120Lessons

Every lesson, by title

All 180 lesson titles are listed here — nothing is withheld until you download. Open a unit to read its contents.

Unit 1: Phonics and Reading 12 lessons
  1. 1Reading Fluency and Rate10 q
  2. 2Phonics and Reading - Lesson 210 q
  3. 3Phonics and Reading - Lesson 310 q
  4. 4Phonics and Reading - Lesson 410 q
  5. 5Phonics and Reading - Lesson 510 q
  6. 6Phonics and Reading - Lesson 610 q
  7. 7Phonics and Reading - Lesson 710 q
  8. 8Phonics and Reading - Lesson 810 q
  9. 9Phonics and Reading - Lesson 910 q
  10. 10Phonics and Reading - Lesson 1010 q
  11. 11Phonics and Reading - Lesson 1110 q
  12. 12Phonics and Reading - Lesson 1210 q
Unit 2: Vocabulary Building 12 lessons
  1. 1Vocabulary Building - Lesson 110 q
  2. 2Vocabulary Building - Lesson 210 q
  3. 3Vocabulary Building - Lesson 310 q
  4. 4Vocabulary Building - Lesson 410 q
  5. 5Vocabulary Building - Lesson 510 q
  6. 6Vocabulary Building - Lesson 610 q
  7. 7Vocabulary Building - Lesson 710 q
  8. 8Vocabulary Building - Lesson 810 q
  9. 9Vocabulary Building - Lesson 910 q
  10. 10Vocabulary Building - Lesson 1010 q
  11. 11Vocabulary Building - Lesson 1110 q
  12. 12Vocabulary Building - Lesson 1210 q
Unit 3: Reading Comprehension 12 lessons
  1. 1Reading Comprehension - Lesson 110 q
  2. 2Reading Comprehension - Lesson 210 q
  3. 3Reading Comprehension - Lesson 310 q
  4. 4Reading Comprehension - Lesson 410 q
  5. 5Reading Comprehension - Lesson 510 q
  6. 6Reading Comprehension - Lesson 610 q
  7. 7Reading Comprehension - Lesson 710 q
  8. 8Reading Comprehension - Lesson 810 q
  9. 9Reading Comprehension - Lesson 910 q
  10. 10Reading Comprehension - Lesson 1010 q
  11. 11Reading Comprehension - Lesson 1110 q
  12. 12Reading Comprehension - Lesson 1210 q
Unit 4: Grammar Foundations 12 lessons
  1. 1Grammar Foundations - Lesson 110 q
  2. 2Grammar Foundations - Lesson 210 q
  3. 3Grammar Foundations - Lesson 310 q
  4. 4Grammar Foundations - Lesson 410 q
  5. 5Grammar Foundations - Lesson 510 q
  6. 6Grammar Foundations - Lesson 610 q
  7. 7Grammar Foundations - Lesson 710 q
  8. 8Grammar Foundations - Lesson 810 q
  9. 9Grammar Foundations - Lesson 910 q
  10. 10Grammar Foundations - Lesson 1010 q
  11. 11Grammar Foundations - Lesson 1110 q
  12. 12Grammar Foundations - Lesson 1210 q
Unit 5: Writing Skills 12 lessons
  1. 1Writing Skills - Lesson 110 q
  2. 2Writing Skills - Lesson 210 q
  3. 3Writing Skills - Lesson 310 q
  4. 4Writing Skills - Lesson 410 q
  5. 5Writing Skills - Lesson 510 q
  6. 6Writing Skills - Lesson 610 q
  7. 7Writing Skills - Lesson 710 q
  8. 8Writing Skills - Lesson 810 q
  9. 9Writing Skills - Lesson 910 q
  10. 10Writing Skills - Lesson 1010 q
  11. 11Writing Skills - Lesson 1110 q
  12. 12Writing Skills - Lesson 1210 q
Unit 6: Literature Study 12 lessons
  1. 1Literature Study - Lesson 110 q
  2. 2Literature Study - Lesson 210 q
  3. 3Literature Study - Lesson 310 q
  4. 4Literature Study - Lesson 410 q
  5. 5Literature Study - Lesson 510 q
  6. 6Literature Study - Lesson 610 q
  7. 7Literature Study - Lesson 710 q
  8. 8Literature Study - Lesson 810 q
  9. 9Literature Study - Lesson 910 q
  10. 10Literature Study - Lesson 1010 q
  11. 11Literature Study - Lesson 1110 q
  12. 12Literature Study - Lesson 1210 q
Unit 7: Research and Reports 12 lessons
  1. 1Research and Reports - Lesson 110 q
  2. 2Research and Reports - Lesson 210 q
  3. 3Research and Reports - Lesson 310 q
  4. 4Research and Reports - Lesson 410 q
  5. 5Research and Reports - Lesson 510 q
  6. 6Research and Reports - Lesson 610 q
  7. 7Research and Reports - Lesson 710 q
  8. 8Research and Reports - Lesson 810 q
  9. 9Research and Reports - Lesson 910 q
  10. 10Research and Reports - Lesson 1010 q
  11. 11Research and Reports - Lesson 1110 q
  12. 12Research and Reports - Lesson 1210 q
Unit 8: Communication 12 lessons
  1. 1Communication - Lesson 110 q
  2. 2Communication - Lesson 210 q
  3. 3Communication - Lesson 310 q
  4. 4Communication - Lesson 410 q
  5. 5Communication - Lesson 510 q
  6. 6Communication - Lesson 610 q
  7. 7Communication - Lesson 710 q
  8. 8Communication - Lesson 810 q
  9. 9Communication - Lesson 910 q
  10. 10Communication - Lesson 1010 q
  11. 11Communication - Lesson 1110 q
  12. 12Communication - Lesson 1210 q
Unit 9: Phonics and Reading 12 lessons
  1. 1Phonics and Reading - Lesson 110 q
  2. 2Phonics and Reading - Lesson 210 q
  3. 3Phonics and Reading - Lesson 310 q
  4. 4Phonics and Reading - Lesson 410 q
  5. 5Phonics and Reading - Lesson 510 q
  6. 6Phonics and Reading - Lesson 610 q
  7. 7Phonics and Reading - Lesson 710 q
  8. 8Phonics and Reading - Lesson 810 q
  9. 9Phonics and Reading - Lesson 910 q
  10. 10Phonics and Reading - Lesson 1010 q
  11. 11Phonics and Reading - Lesson 1110 q
  12. 12Phonics and Reading - Lesson 1210 q
Unit 10: Vocabulary Building 12 lessons
  1. 1Vocabulary Building - Lesson 110 q
  2. 2Vocabulary Building - Lesson 210 q
  3. 3Vocabulary Building - Lesson 310 q
  4. 4Vocabulary Building - Lesson 410 q
  5. 5Vocabulary Building - Lesson 510 q
  6. 6Vocabulary Building - Lesson 610 q
  7. 7Vocabulary Building - Lesson 710 q
  8. 8Vocabulary Building - Lesson 810 q
  9. 9Vocabulary Building - Lesson 910 q
  10. 10Vocabulary Building - Lesson 1010 q
  11. 11Vocabulary Building - Lesson 1110 q
  12. 12Vocabulary Building - Lesson 1210 q
Unit 11: Reading Comprehension 12 lessons
  1. 1Reading Comprehension - Lesson 110 q
  2. 2Reading Comprehension - Lesson 210 q
  3. 3Reading Comprehension - Lesson 310 q
  4. 4Reading Comprehension - Lesson 410 q
  5. 5Reading Comprehension - Lesson 510 q
  6. 6Reading Comprehension - Lesson 610 q
  7. 7Reading Comprehension - Lesson 710 q
  8. 8Reading Comprehension - Lesson 810 q
  9. 9Reading Comprehension - Lesson 910 q
  10. 10Reading Comprehension - Lesson 1010 q
  11. 11Reading Comprehension - Lesson 1110 q
  12. 12Reading Comprehension - Lesson 1210 q
Unit 12: Grammar Foundations 12 lessons
  1. 1Grammar Foundations - Lesson 110 q
  2. 2Grammar Foundations - Lesson 210 q
  3. 3Grammar Foundations - Lesson 310 q
  4. 4Grammar Foundations - Lesson 410 q
  5. 5Grammar Foundations - Lesson 510 q
  6. 6Grammar Foundations - Lesson 610 q
  7. 7Grammar Foundations - Lesson 710 q
  8. 8Grammar Foundations - Lesson 810 q
  9. 9Grammar Foundations - Lesson 910 q
  10. 10Grammar Foundations - Lesson 1010 q
  11. 11Grammar Foundations - Lesson 1110 q
  12. 12Grammar Foundations - Lesson 1210 q
Unit 13: Writing Skills 12 lessons
  1. 1Writing Skills - Lesson 110 q
  2. 2Writing Skills - Lesson 210 q
  3. 3Writing Skills - Lesson 310 q
  4. 4Writing Skills - Lesson 410 q
  5. 5Writing Skills - Lesson 510 q
  6. 6Writing Skills - Lesson 610 q
  7. 7Writing Skills - Lesson 710 q
  8. 8Writing Skills - Lesson 810 q
  9. 9Writing Skills - Lesson 910 q
  10. 10Writing Skills - Lesson 1010 q
  11. 11Writing Skills - Lesson 1110 q
  12. 12Writing Skills - Lesson 1210 q
Unit 14: Literature Study 12 lessons
  1. 1Literature Study - Lesson 110 q
  2. 2Literature Study - Lesson 210 q
  3. 3Literature Study - Lesson 310 q
  4. 4Literature Study - Lesson 410 q
  5. 5Literature Study - Lesson 510 q
  6. 6Literature Study - Lesson 610 q
  7. 7Literature Study - Lesson 710 q
  8. 8Literature Study - Lesson 810 q
  9. 9Literature Study - Lesson 910 q
  10. 10Literature Study - Lesson 1010 q
  11. 11Literature Study - Lesson 1110 q
  12. 12Literature Study - Lesson 1210 q
Unit 15: Research and Reports 12 lessons
  1. 1Research and Reports - Lesson 110 q
  2. 2Research and Reports - Lesson 210 q
  3. 3Research and Reports - Lesson 310 q
  4. 4Research and Reports - Lesson 410 q
  5. 5Research and Reports - Lesson 510 q
  6. 6Research and Reports - Lesson 610 q
  7. 7Research and Reports - Lesson 710 q
  8. 8Research and Reports - Lesson 810 q
  9. 9Research and Reports - Lesson 910 q
  10. 10Research and Reports - Lesson 1010 q
  11. 11Research and Reports - Lesson 1110 q
  12. 12Research and Reports - Lesson 1210 q

One whole lesson, exactly as it comes

This is a real lesson taken from the middle of the course — the teaching text, the practice, the homework, and the first three quiz questions with their answers. It is not a marketing excerpt.

Unit 8: Communication · Lesson 7

Communication - Lesson 7

55 minutesPencilPaperEraser

What this lesson is for

  • Students will practice reading skills related to Communication - Lesson 7
  • Students will develop writing and language skills

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6

Interview Skills

Interview skills are practical communication skills with immediate real-world application — for jobs, colleges, ministry positions, scholarship committees, and media. An interview is a structured conversation in which a decision-maker evaluates a candidate's qualifications, character, and communication ability. How you communicate in an interview often matters as much as your qualifications.

Types of Interviews

Job Interview: Evaluates whether the candidate can perform the work and fit the team culture. College Admissions Interview: Evaluates intellectual curiosity, character, and fit for the institution. Scholarship Interview: Evaluates character, need, and alignment with the scholarship's values. Informational Interview: A conversation with a professional in a field you are exploring — not competitive, but valuable for networking and learning.

The STAR Method for Behavioral Questions

Behavioral interview questions ask about past experience: "Tell me about a time when..." These are best answered with the STAR method:

  • Situation: Briefly describe the context.
  • Task: What were you responsible for?
  • Action: What did you do? (Most important — be specific.)
  • Result: What happened? What did you learn?

Example question: "Tell me about a time you handled a difficult situation with a coworker or team member." STAR answer: "Last spring, I was leading a group project (Situation) and one team member consistently missed deadlines (Task: keep the project on track). I scheduled a private conversation, listened to what was causing the problem, and we restructured his role to fit his availability (Action). We completed the project on time and he thanked me afterward (Result)."

Common Interview Questions

  • Tell me about yourself. (3-minute summary: background, skills, goals)
  • What are your strengths? (Specific examples, not generic traits)
  • What is your greatest weakness? (A real weakness you are actively addressing — not a disguised strength)
  • Why do you want this position/school/scholarship?
  • Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
  • Tell me about a challenge you overcame.

Preparation: Research the Interviewer

Before any interview:

  • Research the organization, school, or position thoroughly.
  • Prepare 3–5 specific questions to ask the interviewer at the end. (Not: "What is the salary?" Ask: "What does success look like in this role in the first year?")
  • Know your resume or application so you can speak to every item on it.

Interview Conduct

  • Arrive early (5–10 minutes) — never late.
  • Dress appropriately — when in doubt, dress one level more formally than you think necessary.
  • Firm handshake, eye contact, genuine smile at greeting.
  • Listen carefully before answering — do not rush.
  • Thank you note or email within 24 hours.

A Biblical Principle

Daniel chapter 1 describes a young man who conducted himself with wisdom, discretion, and integrity before those who evaluated him — and was found "ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers" (Daniel 1:20, KJV). Daniel did not compromise his convictions to impress his evaluators; he served faithfully and let his character and competence speak. This is the biblical model for every interview: honest, prepared, gracious, and fully yourself.

Homework

Complete the reading response or writing assignment for Communication - Lesson 7.

Note for the parent

Today's lesson covers Communication - Lesson 7. Estimated time: 55 minutes. Encourage independent work but be available for questions.

The first three of this lesson's 10 questions

What is the STAR method and when is it used?

  1. A public speaking structure for prepared speeches
  2. A research paper outlining method
  3. A debate preparation strategy for identifying key arguments
  4. A method for answering behavioral interview questions — Situation, Task, Action, Result
Show the answer

Answer: A public speaking structure for prepared speeches

In the STAR method, which part is most important to be specific about?

  1. Result — showing a positive outcome
  2. Action — what you specifically did
  3. Situation — providing enough context for the interviewer
  4. Task — demonstrating responsibility
Show the answer

Answer: Situation — providing enough context for the interviewer

What is an informational interview?

  1. A conversation with a professional in a field you are exploring — not competitive, focused on learning and networking
  2. A college admissions interview emphasizing academic achievement
  3. A job interview that focuses on technical knowledge
  4. A scholarship committee evaluation
Show the answer

Answer: A job interview that focuses on technical knowledge

Another 7 questions follow in the lesson itself, each one graded the moment it is answered.

What comes with the download

180 full lessons

Across 15 units, each with objectives, a teaching passage written to be read aloud, guided practice, and homework.

1,800 quiz questions

Graded the instant they are answered, each with the explanation of why that answer is right.

A gradebook that works

Every score kept, a running average maintained, and a breakdown unit by unit — all in the file itself, nothing sent anywhere.

Progress and attendance

Tick lessons off as they are finished, watch the completion bar fill, and mark days present, absent, or excused.

Report card and certificate

Both printable, with your student's name, the grades, and the dates already filled in.

Backup you control

Export every record to a file you keep, and read it back later. A lost browser cache cannot take the year with it.

An answer key

Hidden from the student by default, there for the parent marking the work.

Nothing that phones home

No ads, no affiliate links, no analytics, no fonts fetched from elsewhere. Unplug the network cable and every one of these files still works.

What you will need

Drawn from the materials named across all 180 lessons of this course. Most families already own most of it.

Download English Language Arts — Grade 9

Free, and free of everything else. 19 files, 21.7 MB in total. No account, no email address, no payment. What you download carries no advertising, no affiliate links and no tracking of any kind.

Use it on a screen

Open any of these straight from a folder or a USB stick. They run in the browser with the network cable unplugged, and nothing is ever sent anywhere.

HTMLInteractive ClassroomThe whole course as a working school: quizzes that grade themselves, a gradebook with a running average, a progress bar, attendance, a printable report card, and a certificate of completion.grade-9-ela-classroom.html 3.3 MBHTMLFlashcard AppEvery quiz question turned into a self-testing card, with shuffle and review-the-missed-ones.grade-9-ela-flashcards-app.html 1.1 MBHTMLRead-Aloud EditionLarge type, one lesson per screen, laid out for a parent reading aloud to a younger student.grade-9-ela-readaloud.html 1.1 MBHTMLLesson PlannerThe course spread across teaching days, with a box to tick as each lesson is finished.grade-9-ela-planner.html 76 KB

Print it

Page-numbered and laid out for paper. Print the whole year at once, or one unit the night before you teach it.

PDFPrintable LessonsEvery lesson, in teaching order, formatted for reading and printing.grade-9-ela-print.pdf 3.0 MBPDFFillable WorkbookType answers on screen and save, or print blank pages to write on by hand.grade-9-ela-workbook.pdf 1.5 MBPDFAnswer KeyEvery question answered, for the parent or teacher marking the work.grade-9-ela-answer-key.pdf 333 KBPDFCopywork PagesHandwriting practice drawn from this course's own Scripture and sentences.grade-9-ela-copywork.pdf 68 KBPDFPrintable FlashcardsCut-apart cards with fronts and backs aligned for double-sided printing.grade-9-ela-flashcards-print.pdf 3.6 MBPDFPrintable PlannerThe day-by-day plan on paper, for a binder or the refrigerator door.grade-9-ela-planner.pdf 157 KB

Edit it, or read it your own way

The same course in open, ordinary file formats. Rewrite a lesson, drop a unit you do not need, or load it on an e-reader.

DOCXMicrosoft WordFully editable. Change wording, add your own notes, delete what does not fit your family.grade-9-ela.docx 525 KBRTFWord ProcessorOpens in Word, LibreOffice, Pages, or Google Docs.grade-9-ela.rtf 2.6 MBEPUBE-Reader EditionFor a Kindle, Kobo, tablet, or phone reading app.grade-9-ela.epub 471 KBMDMarkdownPlain-text source with the headings intact, for note-taking apps and static site tools.grade-9-ela.md 1.4 MBTXTPlain TextThe whole course as unformatted text — the most portable copy there is.grade-9-ela.txt 1.4 MBCSVFlashcards (CSV)Import into Anki, Quizlet, or a spreadsheet.grade-9-ela-flashcards.csv 280 KBTSVFlashcards (TSV)Tab-separated, for importers that prefer it that way.grade-9-ela-flashcards.tsv 273 KBHTMLCopywork (HTML)The copywork sheets as a browser page you can print from.grade-9-ela-copywork.html 5 KBHTMLFlashcards (HTML)The cut-apart cards as a browser page you can print from.grade-9-ela-flashcards-print.html 614 KB

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English Language Arts in other grades

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See how English Language Arts runs across the grades →

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