What your child learns in 8th grade in Arizona
8th grade prepares students for high school. Math covers linear equations, functions and the Pythagorean theorem. Science covers chemical reactions, waves, heredity and Earth's history, and social studies is citizenship and civic engagement: the founding documents, rights, elections, media, personal finance and economics. Students also take AzSCI.
8th grade subjects in the Arizona Academic Standards
Math
Focus areas
- Number and operations: linear equations, functions, and the Pythagorean theorem
- Geometry: shapes, angles and the space around us
- Measurement and data: measuring, collecting data and reading what it shows
17 units, including Squares, Cubes & Roots, Patterns & Two-Step Equations, Pythagorean Theorem, Surface Area & Volume.
English Language Arts
Focus areas
- Reading: analyzing how authors build meaning
- Writing: writing that weighs evidence and counterclaims
- Speaking and listening: sharing ideas and building on what others say
12 units, including Close Reading, Literary Devices, Word Study, Irony, Satire & Allusion.
Science
Focus areas
- Chemical reactions and identifying substances
- Waves and energy transfer
- Heredity, natural selection and Earth's history
9 units, including Chemical Reactions, Mixtures & Solutions, Particles & Mixtures, Work, Energy & Efficiency.
Social Studies
Focus areas
- The founding documents and citizens' rights
- Elections, media and civic action
- Personal finance and economics
12 units, including Founding Ideas, Rights & Amendments, Taking Part, Media & Democracy.
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 ScienceChemical Reactions, Mixtures & SolutionsOpen the sheet →
- 8th grade Social StudiesFounding Ideas, Rights & AmendmentsOpen 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.
Arizona 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 Arizona state tests (AASA and AzSCI). Read the state tests guide.
Arizona's Standards for Mathematical Practice apply in every grade, from kindergarten to high school. Read about Mathematical Practices.
The four practice steps in 8th grade
- Beginning
- Practice shows a first understanding of the learning 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 learning 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 learning 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 learning 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, Body Systems, Our Senses, How Plants Work, Motion, Forces & Newton’s Laws
- Social Studies: Science & the Enlightenment, Age of Revolutions, Industry & Empire, World War I, World War II
Common questions
8th grade covers math, English language arts, science, social studies in the Arizona Academic Standards. 8th grade prepares students for high school. Math covers linear equations, functions and the Pythagorean theorem. Science covers chemical reactions, waves, heredity and Earth's history, and social studies is citizenship and civic engagement: the founding documents, rights, elections, media, personal finance and economics. Students also take AzSCI.
Arizona 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 Arizona state tests (AASA and AzSCI), which is separate from the report card.
Practice shows a solid understanding of the learning 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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