Eighth grade begins with reviews from following years such as problem
solving, reasoning, and estimates. They will also use problem-solving
strategies such as reading the problem, drawing a picture or diagram,
using trial and error, making a table or chart, looking for patterns,
making a simple problem then generalizing, working backwards, etc.
Eighth graders should also know which tools are appropriate for various
calculating, meaning would they figure it out mentally, perhaps use
a calculator or a pencil and paper? Often they might opt to perform
an operation on the computer. Eighth graders will be able to use appropriate
estimation strategies such as breaking numbers apart, compatible numbers,
guess and check, clustering, rounding, and compensation.
Eighth grade children are taught by using a combination of interactive
activities, learning games, printable worksheets, assessments, and
reinforcement. Manipulative are very important for eighth grade math
lessons. The significance of eighth grade math is taught by using
many tools and using the major math strands for eighth grade curriculum
which are number sense and operations, algebra, geometry and spatial
sense, measurement, and data analysis and probability. These are all
critical lessons for an eighth grade math curriculum.
Eighth grade math students build on what they learned in kindergarten
through seventh grade math. In eighth grade math they work with positive
and negative numbers, exponents, and the order of operations, as well
as scientific and standard notation. They learn more about working
with whole numbers, fractions, mixed numbers, decimals, and integers.
There are more in depth lessons in measurement, geometry, algebra,
data analysis and probability. Eighth grade will prove to be a very
challenging year for most students because they will be taught many
new and difficult concepts. Eighth grade will teach student's word
names and standard numerals for integers, fractions, decimals, numbers
expressed as percents, numbers with exponents, numbers expressed in
scientific notation, absolute value, radicals, and ratios. Students
will compare and order fractions, decimals, integers, and radicals
using graphic models, number lines, symbols, numbers expressed in
absolute value, scientific notation, integers, percents, and numbers
with exponents, fractions, decimals, radicals, and ratios. Students
will be expected to know relationships among fractions, decimals,
and percents given a real-world context.
The binary (base two) number system is an important part of the eighth
grade math curriculum. Students learn how the base two systems are
used by computer technology. Eighth grade math lessons teach how non-base
ten numbers can be expressed as equivalent numbers in base ten. Eighth
grade math students evaluate numerical and algebraic expression containing
exponential notation and express base ten numbers as equivalent numbers
in different bases, such as base two, base five, and base eight. By
eighth grade, students will need to know the four basic math operations
on whole numbers, fractions, mixed numbers, decimals, and integers.
They must also understand the difference and the relationship between
positive and negative numbers including commutative, associative,
distributive, identity, equality, inverse, and closure properties.
Eighth grade math lessons will present students with real-world problems
in which they must choose appropriate operations using integers, ratios,
rates, proportions, numbers expressed as percents, decimals, and fractions
in two- or three-step problems. They will learn to solve problems
with percents greater than 100%.
Eighth grade students will learn about scales, including those based
on number lines, graphs, models, and maps. Students will construct
and use scale drawings to recreate situations. They will find measures
of length, weight or mass, and capacity or volume using proportional
relationships and properties of similar geometric figures. Students,
by the end of the year will be able to determine the greatest possible
error of a given measurement and the possible actual measurements
of an object.