8th Grade — Back to School
The year that sets up high school.
Ages 13–14
Ready for 8th Grade?
Eight questions, about ten minutes. Tap a card to reveal the answer.
- 1
Solve 4x − 7 = 21.
Linear equations
- 2
Find the slope through (1, 2) and (3, 8).
Slope
- 3
A right triangle has legs 3 and 4. What's the hypotenuse?
Pythagorean theorem
- 4
Simplify 2³ × 2².
Exponent rules
- 5
Is y = 3x + 1 a function?
Functions
- 6
Write 45,000 in scientific notation.
Scientific notation
- 7
What is a thesis statement?
Essay structure
- 8
State Newton's first law in your own words.
Forces and motion
6 free 8th Grade printables
Tap any sheet to see it full size and download a print-ready PDF. Work through them on screen if you'd rather not print.
Systems of Equations
Two equations, two unknowns — the Grade 8 skill Algebra 1 is built on.
Coordinate Plane & Slope
A blank grid to plot on. Slope is easier once they've drawn twenty lines.
Hypothesis & Variables
Independent, dependent, control. Get the language right before high school.
Lab Report Template
The full write-up structure high school science expects on day one.
Character Analysis Passage
Read it, then answer — the close-reading format English exams use.
Essay Planner
Thesis and three body paragraphs. Grade 8 writing collapses without a plan.
The first five days back
About 50 minutes a day. This is about rebuilding the routine, not cramming — keep it short and finish while they still want more.
- Day1
Algebra audit
50 min- Systems of equations sheet
- Solve five equations with variables on both sides
- Check the slope readiness question again
- Day2
Graphing and exponents
50 min- Coordinate plane and slope sheet — plot five lines
- Ten exponent rules questions
- Convert five numbers to scientific notation
- Day3
Science language
50 min- Hypothesis and variables sheet
- Lab report template on a home experiment
- Name the independent and dependent variable in each
- Day4
Writing with evidence
50 min- Character analysis passage
- Essay planner — thesis plus three topic sentences
- Write one claim-quotation-analysis paragraph
- Day5
High school prep
50 min- Five Pythagorean problems from memory
- Set up a revision timetable
- Talk through what Grade 8 grades affect
What 8th Grade covers
The skills their teacher will assume, in plain language.
- Linear equations, slope, and functions
- The Pythagorean theorem and transformations
- Exponents and scientific notation
- Literary analysis with textual evidence
- Forces, motion, and energy
- Study systems that will carry into high school
8th Grade supply list
Check the school's own list too — this covers what they usually leave out.
- Pens, pencils, erasers, correction tape
- Scientific calculator — check whether a graphing model is required
- Geometry set
- Binder with dividers, or subject folders
- Planner plus a visible deadline calendar
- Highlighters, sticky notes, index cards for revision
- Charged device, headphones, and a cloud folder for typed work
Three things that matter at this age
Grades start counting
In many systems Grade 8 feeds high school placement. Say so plainly — most 13-year-olds genuinely don't know.
Teach retrieval, not rereading
Index cards, cover the answer, test yourself. Rereading notes feels productive and does almost nothing.
One improvement at a time
Pick a single subject to push this term. Trying to lift everything at once is how teenagers give up on all of it.
Academics plus high-school-prep systems
The free sheets above cover the first week. The 8th Grade packs cover the whole year — instant download, print as many times as you like.
- Linear equations, functions, Pythagoras, transformations, and exponents
- Literary analysis frames with model paragraphs
- Forces, motion, and energy with full lab-report scaffolds
- Revision timetables, retrieval-practice cards, and study-system pages
Most popular for 8th Grade
Frequently Asked Questions
What should my child already know before starting 8th Grade?
Linear equations, slope, and functions; The Pythagorean theorem and transformations; Exponents and scientific notation. The readiness check on this page tests exactly these prerequisites, with the answers written out for you.
Is the 8th Grade content on this page free?
Yes — the readiness check, all 6 printables, the five-day plan, the supply list, and the parent tips are free. The 8th Grade packs in the shop are optional and cover the full school year.
How long does the 8th Grade first-week plan take?
About 50 minutes a day for five days. It's designed to rebuild the routine rather than teach new content, so it should feel easy.
My 8th Grade child missed several readiness questions. What now?
Start with the free sheets on this page — they target the same skills. Ten focused minutes a day closes most gaps within a few weeks. If you want structured practice for the whole year, the grade packs go much deeper.