Grade 8 Math: how to help at home
What your child learns in Grade 8 math in the New Brunswick Curriculum, and simple things to try at home.
The Big Ideas this year
- Number: Number Sense. Describe numbers, ways of representing numbers, relationships among numbers, and number systems.
- Number: Operations. Multiply and divide integers to solve problems (2-digit by 1-digit).
- Statistics and Probability: Data Analysis. Compare and critique graphs and the presentation of data.
- Statistics and Probability: Chance and Uncertainty. Determine the probability of outcomes to solve problems.
- Patterns and Relations: Algebra. Solve linear equations ax = b, where a and b are integers xa = b, where a and b are integers, a ≠ 0 ax + b = c, where a, b, and c are integers xa + b = c, where a, b, and c are integers, a ≠ 0 a (x + b) = c, where a, b, and c are integers .
- Shape and Space: Measurement. Apply the formulae for volume of right cylinders to solve problems.
Easy ways to practise math at home
- Look for fractions, decimals and percentages in sale signs, sports statistics and recipes.
- Ask your child to explain a problem to you as if you were the student.
- Estimate first (the bill, the trip time), then check with a calculator.
- Keep a tricky-problems list and revisit it every few days instead of re-doing everything.
What each unit covers
Squares, Cubes & Roots
Knowing perfect squares and cubes, finding square roots and cube roots, estimating where a square root falls between whole numbers, and linking squares to the area of a square.
Pythagorean Theorem
Finding a missing side of a right triangle, checking whether a triangle is a right triangle, and using the theorem for ladders and diagonals.
Integer Operations
Multiplying and dividing positive and negative integers, adding and subtracting them, working with the order of operations, and solving real-life problems such as temperature changes.
Fraction Operations
Adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators, multiplying and dividing fractions, switching between mixed numbers and improper fractions, and finding a fraction of an amount.
Percents & Money
Finding a percent of a number, moving between fractions, decimals and percents, sale prices and sales tax (BC's 12%), simple monthly budgets, and making change.
Ratios, Rates & Proportions
Simplifying ratios, finding missing terms in equivalent ratios, comparing unit prices, working with speed, scaling recipes and map distances, and turning a part of a whole into a percent.
Patterns & Two-Step Equations
Writing and evaluating expressions like 3n + 2, solving two-step equations, and finding the rule for a growing pattern or a cost made of whole items such as tickets.
Surface Area & Volume
Finding surface area and volume of boxes, cubes, triangular prisms and cylinders, working backwards to a missing dimension, linking cm³ to millilitres, and recognizing nets and views of 3D objects.
Nets & Views
Matching flat nets to prisms and cylinders, working out what the parts of a net measure, and picturing an object from above, the front and the side.
Probability & Data
Counting outcomes, finding theoretical and experimental probabilities, predicting how often something will happen, and summarizing data with the mean, median and range.
What the report card levels look like at home
- Working below
- Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
- Approaching
- Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practising the tricky parts.
- Meeting
- Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Excelling
- Applies it confidently, even in new or harder situations. Try challenge mode and real-life problems.
Your child’s teacher decides the level on the report card. Read the New Brunswick report card guide.
Common questions
Look for fractions, decimals and percentages in sale signs, sports statistics and recipes. Ask your child to explain a problem to you as if you were the student. Keep sessions short, about 10 to 15 minutes, and stop on a success.
The New Brunswick Curriculum Grade 8 math units include squares, cubes & roots, pythagorean theorem, integer operations, fraction operations, percents & money, ratios, rates & proportions.
Free printable Grade 8 math practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.