Eighth Grade Learning Goals

These goals are suggestions based on state standards. As always, each child learns differently and at a different pace, this is to act as a guide for subjects and also help with the order of presenting info to your learner. If your child needs a refresh or is missing some concepts, please refer to our Seventh Grade Learning Goals post to review.

Most students in eighth grade are 13-years-old or 14-years-old. Eighth graders are independent in their schoolwork, discover new interests, and gain a better understanding of themselves. They should be familiar with more complicated concepts, theories, and practices in their core subjects.

A typical course of study for eighth-grade homeschoolers includes:

Language arts
Math
Social studies
Science
Health and safety
Physical fitness program
Electives

Math Objectives for 8th Grade

The following is a general list of some math learning objectives eighth graders should attain:

Identify rational and irrational numbers and describe meanings.
Calculate and approximate principal square roots.
Identify and perform transformations of a figure on a coordinate plane.
Solve problems in two variables using linear equations.
Define and differentiate between different types of sampling techniques.
Use technology to determine the mean, median, mode, and range of a set of real-world data.

The ideal math curriculum for 8th grade should be based on these standards while engaging students with fun and varied activities.

Reading Goals/Objectives for 8th Grade

The ideal language arts curriculum for eighth grade will improve your child’s reading comprehension by exposing them to more complicated stories, poems, vocabulary words, concepts and activities.

Reading goals and objectives for 8th graders should include:

Mastering complex reading passages
Comprehending and using figurative language
Offering an objective summary of more complicated texts
Interpret text from different formats.
Using critical thinking skills to separate truth from error

Writing Goals/Objectives for 8th Grade

Eighth graders will be expected to create original works, including poems, autobiography/biography, cover letters, informational reports, short stories, and more. Writing goals and objectives for eighth grade include:

Using the writing process to take compositions from prewriting and planning through revision.
Using technology-aided tools such as graphic organizers to help them with prewriting and planning.
Developing a topic with simple facts, details, examples and explanations.
Relating a clear, coherent incident, event or situation by using well-chosen details through various writing activities.
Showing a command of English grammar during all writing activities.

Grammar Goals/Objectives for 8th Grade

An eighth grade language arts curriculum should focus on combining grammar skills with writing skills. For example, when students are writing various assignments they will be expected to use proper grammar, such as maintaining consistent verb tense, throughout the writing process. Additional grammar goals and objectives for eighth grade language arts include:

Maintaining subject-verb agreement
Using quotation marks correctly in dialogue
Using punctuation (comma, ellipsis, dash) to indicate a pause or break.
Forming and using verbs in the indicative, imperative, interrogative, conditional, and subjunctive mood.
Correctly use capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.

Science Objectives for 8th Grade

An effective 8th grade homeschool science curriculum should pave the way for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) courses at the high school level.

By the end of the year, 8th graders should be able to: