What your child learns in 8th grade in Minnesota
8th grade prepares students for high school. Math covers linear equations and functions, systems of equations, exponents and the Pythagorean theorem. Science is physical science: atoms and reactions, forces and motion, energy, fields and waves, and students take the science MCA. Social studies is “Global Studies”: governments, economies and human rights around the world, population and migration, and global trade.
8th grade subjects in the Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards
Math
Focus areas
- Patterns and relationships: linear equations and functions, exponents, and irrational numbers
- Spatial reasoning, data and probability: the Pythagorean theorem, and scatter plots and lines of fit
- Mathematical practices: making sense of problems and explaining reasoning
11 units, including Squares, Cubes & Roots, Patterns & Two-Step Equations, Pythagorean Theorem, Big, Small & Real Numbers.
English Language Arts
Focus areas
- Reading: analyzing structure, tone and arguments
- Writing, speaking and listening: research, argument and narrative writing
- Language: building vocabulary 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 reactions, forces and motion, energy, fields and waves
- Science and engineering practices: planning investigations and using math
- How science connects to people and communities in Minnesota and beyond
10 units, including Particles & Matter, Light & Radiation, Atoms & Elements, Circuits & Static.
Social Studies
Focus areas
- Theme: Global Studies
- Governments, economies and human rights around the world
- Population, migration and cities
7 units, including Human Rights Around the World, World Beliefs, Maps, Graphs & Data, Forms of Government.
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 ScienceParticles & Matter, Light & RadiationOpen the sheet →
- 8th grade Social StudiesHuman Rights Around the World, World BeliefsOpen 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.
Minnesota 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 Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA). Read the state tests guide.
Minnesota's social and emotional learning competencies apply in every grade. Read about Social emotional learning.
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: Natural Selection, Cells: Life's Building Blocks, Cells & Life Processes, Body Systems, How Plants Work
- Social Studies: Reconstruction, Industrial America, Factories & Reformers, Rights & Amendments, World War I
Common questions
8th grade covers math, English language arts, science, social studies in the Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards. 8th grade prepares students for high school. Math covers linear equations and functions, systems of equations, exponents and the Pythagorean theorem. Science is physical science: atoms and reactions, forces and motion, energy, fields and waves, and students take the science MCA. Social studies is “Global Studies”: governments, economies and human rights around the world, population and migration, and global trade.
Minnesota 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 Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA), 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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