What your child learns in 8th grade in Maine
8th grade prepares students for high school. Math covers linear equations, functions and the Pythagorean theorem. Science covers forces, heredity and space, and social studies is United States history from the founding to Reconstruction, including Maine's statehood and Mainers in the Civil War. Students also take the Maine Science Assessment.
8th grade subjects in the Maine Learning Results
Math
Focus areas
- Quantitative and algebraic reasoning: linear equations, functions, and the Pythagorean theorem
- Geometric reasoning: shapes, angles and the space around us
- Statistical reasoning: 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
- Forces, motion and energy
- Heredity and natural selection
- Space systems and Earth's history
7 units, including Light & Radiation, Motion, Forces & Newton’s Laws, Kinetic & Potential Energy, Fields & Forces at a Distance.
Social Studies
Focus areas
- United States history from the founding to Reconstruction
- Maine and the nation, 1820 to 1865
- The Constitution, rights and sources
8 units, including Founding Ideas, Rights & Amendments, Factories & Reformers, Reconstruction.
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 ScienceLight & Radiation, Motion, Forces & Newton’s LawsOpen 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.
Maine 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 Maine state tests (MeCAS). Read the state tests guide.
Maine's Guiding Principles apply in every grade and every subject. Read about Guiding Principles.
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: Atoms & Elements, Ecosystems, Food Chains & Energy, Cycles & Succession, Particles & Mixtures
- Social Studies: Medieval Europe, The Islamic World, Empires of Asia, African Kingdoms & Empires, Japan: Land, Beliefs & Values
Common questions
8th grade covers math, English language arts, science, social studies in the Maine Learning Results. 8th grade prepares students for high school. Math covers linear equations, functions and the Pythagorean theorem. Science covers forces, heredity and space, and social studies is United States history from the founding to Reconstruction, including Maine's statehood and Mainers in the Civil War. Students also take the Maine Science Assessment.
Maine 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 Maine state tests (MeCAS), 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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