Eighth grade marks the end of middle school for schools across the U.S. This is an important year marked with multiple educational, social, and physical milestones. Most kids are already teenagers in eighth grade (meaning they have turned 13), and many will already have a phone. Eighth graders also deal with more responsibilities, as they are transitioning from being in middle school to high school. This means more expectations on homework (e.g. no sloppy handwriting, showing all of your work, turning it in before the deadline and not rushing to finish it on the last day) and increased exams for high school preparation. Here are some tips on how to graduate eighth grade on a good note.
Steps
Part 1
Part 1 of 2:
Academics
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1Keep your grades on top. It's best not to slack off at the end of the year. Sure, you are probably excited for school to finally end and vacation to start. However, you should still keep your grades up. You don't want your A in science to suddenly become a B during the final grading period due to a flunked final! Especially since final exams are typically worth more points, because they usually cover everything you've learned throughout the year, it's best to give your best effort to your schoolwork, and study harder than you have before.
- You'll probably have extra time to study during the final weeks of school, as the amount of homework you receive is often decreased. Therefore, try and set aside 30 minutes to an hour to study each day starting at least two weeks before your final exams.
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2Review the math concepts you learned. Eighth grade math classes are designed to prepare you for the more complex classes you'll likely take in high school. Therefore, it's a good idea to review the math concepts you learned during the year, to ensure you're going into your final exam and summer vacation prepared to build on your math knowledge in high school. If you struggled during math class, ask your parents to enroll you in a summer math course. Here are some concepts you may have learned and should review. However, note that every school is different, so you may not have learned all of these concepts. Either way, reviewing can be beneficial, so even if these concepts aren't familiar, review the things you learned during math class.
- Pre-Algebra
. At the beginning of your Pre-Algebra course, you might've reviewed decimal arithmetic (adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing decimal numbers), solving ratios and proportions, and solving exponents. Next, you learned how to evaluate expressions and to solve one variable equations (such as "3x + 3 = 15") [1]
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. In the next few months, you probably learned how to graph linear equations, find the equation of a line, tell if something is a function [4]
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, simplify scientific notation, finding the domain and range of a function, find unit rates, and solve inequalities. At the end of Pre-Algebra, you may have been taught how to solve simple quadratic equations (such as
), graphing inequalities on number lines, and solving a system of equations [5]
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- You may have also learned how to find the volume and surface area of 3D figures like prisms [6] X Research source , pyramids, cylinders [7] X Research source , and cones [8] X Research source . Additionally, you may have learned how to find the circumference [9] X Research source and area [10] X Research source of a circle this year.
- Algebra I . During the first weeks of Algebra I, you probably reviewed important pre-algebra concepts like solving linear equations, graphing them, and solving a system of equations. Next, you learned basic algebra concepts like finding the slopes and intercepts of linear equations [11] X Research source , solving them in different ways (e.g. substitution, elimination, graphing), and finding rates of change [12] X Research source . You also learned how to solve ratios and proportions [13] X Research source . Later, you may have learned geometric sequences [14] X Research source and how to graph exponential functions (plus exponential growth and decay). [15] X Research source . You probably learned two final types of functions; quadratic and square root functions at the end of your Algebra I course. [16] X Research source
- Geometry . This is usually the highest level math course you can take in eighth grade. During the beginning of Geometry, you probably didn't review that much Algebra I. You started with basic geometry you may have learned in previous years, like the definitions of lines, rays, points, and planes [17] X Research source . You'll also learn angle relationships (vertical angles, supplementary angles, complementary angles, alternate interior/exterior). [18] X Research source Next, you learned how to prove that triangles are congruent using the SSS, SAS, ASA, AAS, and HL theorems, as well as rigid transformations [19] X Research source . You also learned similarity between shapes and scale factor. [20] X Research source You learned about trigonometry (sine, cosine, and tangent) [21] X Research source , circle relationships (chords, arcs, sections, sectors, converting from radians to degrees, etc.), and 3D figures at the end of the geometry curriculum. [22] X Research source
Advertisement - Pre-Algebra
. At the beginning of your Pre-Algebra course, you might've reviewed decimal arithmetic (adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing decimal numbers), solving ratios and proportions, and solving exponents. Next, you learned how to evaluate expressions and to solve one variable equations (such as "3x + 3 = 15") [1]
X
Research source
[2]
X
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[3]
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. In the next few months, you probably learned how to graph linear equations, find the equation of a line, tell if something is a function [4]
X
Research source
, simplify scientific notation, finding the domain and range of a function, find unit rates, and solve inequalities. At the end of Pre-Algebra, you may have been taught how to solve simple quadratic equations (such as
), graphing inequalities on number lines, and solving a system of equations [5]
X
Research source
.
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3Read books. In middle school, you probably have assigned reading. You'll likely continue to have assigned reading in high school English classes, that you may need to be prepared to discuss with other students and/or your teacher. Even if you don't have assigned reading, try to read part of a book each day. This increases your vocabulary and reading skills, which will be helpful for you in the future, as your reading gets more complex in high school and beyond. If you have trouble finding books, search up a genre that seem interesting to you and find related books that way. You can also go to your local library and borrow some books to read and experiment with. You may also want to ask your friends for book recommendations. If you have assigned reading, read the books carefully and take notes on their major plot points.
- It's best to buy physical books instead of reading books online, as staring at blue light to read isn't healthy for your eyes. If you prefer to read before bed, you can also fall asleep faster with physical books; the blue light emitted from electronics disrupts your regular sleep cycle. [23] X Research source Physical books may get you more interested in the story, too.
- If you want to read some classic books, try The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank (a Jewish girl who kept a detailed diary of her daily life while hiding from the Nazis in Germany during World War II), Animal Farm by George Orwell, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, or To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. [24] X Research source
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4Build your study habits . If you have made it through middle school with decent study habits, that's great! If you have made it through middle school with barely any studying, you will have to switch up your after-school routine. You will have to make time for at least half an hour of studying each day, as tests will be more detailed in high school. There will be a lot more you'll need to remember, meaning you can't just cram everything in the night before a test.
- Make a study schedule that sets aside a specific time each day just for studying, and keep your study space organized so you'll be able to find everything and start studying as quick as possible.
- Remove electronic distractions such as your phone and video games, and let your family know when you're going to study so they don't inadvertently interrupt you.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 2:
Social Aspects
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1Make sure that you have made at least a few friends. As you near the end of middle school, you may not want to leave your friends behind to go to a different high school. This makes some people believe that making friends during the last year of elementary, middle, or high school is not worth it. In reality, you should go for it. You can make friends with kids who have recently transferred into your school and may not be as familiar with it or your town in general, and students who have been at your school for awhile but you haven't interacted with that much. Either way, making friends even as you're about to graduate middle school can help you meet a mixture of people you'll be going to high school with, and people who are not going to your high school, but might live nearby who you can hang out with when you're not at school.
- Don't feel like it's your fault if they act cold and unfriendly to you; it's not your problem. Plus, there will be countless other friendly people besides just that one person.
- Continue being cheerful and happy to attract more people to become your friend. If you are usually very silent, quiet, secretive, or mysterious, people may be afraid to approach you. So, try and act happy to attract more friends.
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2Help out your teachers and other students. Most people want their school to remember them for years to come as an influential student that contributed a lot to their school. If you are virtually unknown in your school and want to change that, start by helping out other classmates. Help new students with finding classrooms, struggling students and/or younger students with their homework, and participate often in class. Your classmates will remember what you did, and your teachers will probably like you for these actions. You could take it further by helping out during school events such as raffles, field days, field trips, and school plays. At the beginning of the year, join the student council if you are capable of leading the whole school and voting on important school issues.
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3Have fun with your friends during the last weeks of school. As the school year draws to a close, you may have found out that some of your friends aren't going to the same high school as you. In order to have more memories with your friends, have fun with them. Even if you are anxious and melancholy about your friends leaving, stay positive during the last weeks and enjoy the rest of the time you have with them. Keep a friend journal of good memories you've had with your friends, or write these memories in a diary. Take photos with your friends on special occasions, and give your friends gifts on their birthdays.
- You can also sing special songs with your friends as a friend ritual. You may also give each other bracelets, matching school supplies, and other mementos to make sure that your friendship won't be forgotten for a long time.
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References
- ↑ https://flexbooks.ck12.org/cbook/ck-12-middle-school-math-concepts-grade-8/section/3.1/primary/lesson/solve-equations-using-inverse-properties-of-addition-and-multiplication-msm8/
- ↑ https://flexbooks.ck12.org/cbook/ck-12-middle-school-math-concepts-grade-8/section/3.5/primary/lesson/solve-equations-involving-combining-like-terms-msm8/
- ↑ https://www.khanacademy.org/math/cc-eighth-grade-math/cc-8th-linear-equations-functions
- ↑ https://flexbooks.ck12.org/cbook/ck-12-middle-school-math-concepts-grade-8/section/9.1/primary/lesson/recognizing-functions-msm8/
- ↑ https://www.khanacademy.org/math/cc-eighth-grade-math/cc-8th-systems-topic
- ↑ https://flexbooks.ck12.org/cbook/ck-12-middle-school-math-concepts-grade-8/section/8.10/primary/lesson/volume-of-prisms-msm8/
- ↑ https://flexbooks.ck12.org/cbook/ck-12-middle-school-math-concepts-grade-8/section/8.11/primary/lesson/volume-of-cylinders-msm8/
- ↑ https://flexbooks.ck12.org/cbook/ck-12-middle-school-math-concepts-grade-8/section/8.13/primary/lesson/volume-of-cones-msm8/
- ↑ https://flexbooks.ck12.org/cbook/ck-12-middle-school-math-concepts-grade-8/section/8.3/primary/lesson/circumference-of-circles-msm8/
- ↑ https://flexbooks.ck12.org/cbook/ck-12-middle-school-math-concepts-grade-8/section/8.4/primary/lesson/area-of-circles-msm8/
- ↑ https://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra/x2f8bb11595b61c86:linear-equations-graphs
- ↑ https://flexbooks.ck12.org/cbook/ck-12-algebra-i-concepts/section/4.7/primary/lesson/rates-of-change-alg-i/
- ↑ https://flexbooks.ck12.org/cbook/ck-12-algebra-i-concepts/section/3.10/primary/lesson/ratios-alg-i/
- ↑ https://flexbooks.ck12.org/cbook/ck-12-algebra-i-concepts/section/8.10/primary/lesson/geometric-sequences-and-exponential-functions-alg-i/
- ↑ https://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra/x2f8bb11595b61c86:exponential-growth-decay
- ↑ https://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra/x2f8bb11595b61c86:quadratic-functions-equations
- ↑ https://flexbooks.ck12.org/cbook/ck-12-basic-geometry-concepts/section/1.1/primary/lesson/basic-geometric-definitions-bsc-geom/
- ↑ https://flexbooks.ck12.org/cbook/ck-12-basic-geometry-concepts/section/1.9/primary/lesson/linear-pairs-bsc-geom/
- ↑ https://www.khanacademy.org/math/geometry/hs-geo-congruence
- ↑ https://flexbooks.ck12.org/cbook/ck-12-basic-geometry-concepts/section/7.10/primary/lesson/proportions-with-angle-bisectors-bsc-geom/
- ↑ https://flexbooks.ck12.org/cbook/ck-12-basic-geometry-concepts/section/8.7/primary/lesson/sine-cosine-tangent-bsc-geom/
- ↑ https://flexbooks.ck12.org/cbook/ck-12-basic-geometry-concepts/section/11.2/primary/lesson/cross-sections-and-nets-bsc-geom/
- ↑ https://www.juniorlibraryguild.com/blog/post/detail/id/3120
- ↑ https://k-12readinglist.com/reading-lists-for-middle-school-children/reading-list-for-8th-grade-students-age-13-14/
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