What your child learns in 8th grade in Alabama
8th grade prepares students for high school. Math covers linear equations and functions, the Pythagorean theorem and transformations, and science is physical science, with an ACAP science test. Social studies continues world history from the Middle Ages to the Enlightenment.
8th grade subjects in the Alabama Course of Study
Math
Focus areas
- Numbers and operations: the real numbers, exponents, linear equations, systems and functions
- Measurement, data and geometry: the Pythagorean theorem, transformations, volume, and scatter plots
- Student mathematical practices: making sense of problems and explaining reasoning
17 units, including Squares, Cubes & Roots, Patterns & Two-Step Equations, Pythagorean Theorem, Surface Area & Volume.
English Language Arts
Focus areas
- Reading: analyzing structure, tone and arguments
- Writing, speaking and listening: research, argument and narrative writing
- Vocabulary and language: building word knowledge and using grammar, spelling and punctuation
12 units, including Close Reading, Literary Devices, Word Study, Irony, Satire & Allusion.
Science
Focus areas
- Physical Science: atoms and the periodic table, reactions, forces and motion, energy and waves
- Science and engineering practices: planning investigations and using math
- Engineering design: solving real problems in Alabama and beyond
16 units, including Mixtures & Solutions, Density & Buoyancy, Particles & Matter, Atoms & Elements.
Social Studies
Focus areas
- Course: World History and Geography: Middle Ages to the Enlightenment
- Medieval Europe and the Byzantine Empire
- The Islamic world, Africa and Asia
13 units, including Rome's Fall & Byzantium, The Islamic World, Empires of Asia, African Kingdoms & Empires.
Printable 8th grade sheets
One free practice sheet for each subject, with an answer key. Print them, or work through them on screen.
- 8th grade MathSquares, Cubes & Roots, Patterns & Two-Step EquationsOpen the sheet →
- 8th grade English Language ArtsClose Reading, Literary DevicesOpen the sheet →
- 8th grade ScienceMixtures & Solutions, Density & BuoyancyOpen the sheet →
- 8th grade Social StudiesRome's Fall & Byzantium, The Islamic WorldOpen the sheet →
What to look for on the report card
Look for comments on managing a heavier workload, showing steps in math and supporting an argument with evidence from a text.
Alabama has no statewide report-card scale in 8th grade, so Gradelings describes practice in four steps: Beginning, Approaching, Meeting, Exceeding. See what each level means.
8th grade students also take the Alabama state tests (ACAP). Read the state tests guide.
Alabama's learning practices apply in every grade. Read about Learning practices.
The four practice steps in 8th grade
- Beginning
- Practice shows a first understanding of the content standards. Most answers still need a hint or a second try.
- At home: Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
- Approaching
- Practice shows a partial understanding of the content standards. Some answers are right on the first try.
- At home: Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practicing the tricky parts.
- Meeting
- Practice shows a solid understanding of the content standards. Most answers are right on the first try.
- At home: Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Exceeding
- Practice shows a deep understanding of the content standards, including harder, unfamiliar questions.
- At home: Applies it confidently, even in new or harder situations. Try challenge mode and real-life problems.
Ready for 8th grade?
8th grade builds on what your child practiced in 7th grade. If a skill feels shaky, a few short practice sessions before or early in the year can help:
- Math: Add & Subtract Integers, Decimal Operations, Fractions, Decimals & Percents, Two-Step Equations, Circles
- English Language Arts: Literary Devices, Tone & Mood, Persuasive Power, Clauses & Sentences, Modifiers & Parallelism
- Science: Cells: Life's Building Blocks, Cells & Life Processes, Cells, Tissues & Organs, Photosynthesis & Respiration, Cells from Cells
- Social Studies: Maps, Graphs & Data, Time & Evidence, First Farmers, Where Civilizations Grew, Mesopotamia
Common questions
8th grade covers math, English language arts, science, social studies in the Alabama Course of Study. 8th grade prepares students for high school. Math covers linear equations and functions, the Pythagorean theorem and transformations, and science is physical science, with an ACAP science test. Social studies continues world history from the Middle Ages to the Enlightenment.
Alabama has no statewide report-card scale in 8th grade, so Gradelings describes practice in four steps: Beginning, Approaching, Meeting, Exceeding. Students in 8th grade also write the Alabama state tests (ACAP), which is separate from the report card.
Practice shows a solid understanding of the content standards. Most answers are right on the first try. At home: Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
8th grade builds on 7th grade. In math, that means Add & Subtract Integers, Decimal Operations, Fractions, Decimals & Percents. In English language arts, that means Literary Devices, Tone & Mood, Persuasive Power.
About 15 minutes a day of short practice works better than long sessions, on the skills your child's teacher flags. Look for fractions, decimals and percentages in sale signs, sports statistics and recipes. Read what they are interested in: graphic novels, sports pages, series. Then talk about it. Praise effort, and stop on a success.
Practice 8th grade skills with Gradelings
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