Grade 8 Math: how to help at home
What your child learns in Grade 8 math in the Saskatchewan Curriculum, and simple things to try at home.
The Big Ideas this year
- Number (N8.1–N8.5): Demonstrate understanding of the square and principle square root of whole numbers concretely or pictorially and… Expand and demonstrate understanding of percents greater than or equal to 0% concretely, pictorially, and… Demonstrate understanding of rates, ratios, and proportional reasoning concretely, pictorially, and symbolically. (and 2 more outcomes)
- Patterns and Relations (P8.1–P8.2): Demonstrate understanding of linear relations concretely, pictorially (including graphs), physically, and… Model and solve problems using linear equations of the form.
- Shape and Space (SS8.1–SS8.4): Demonstrate understanding of the Pythagorean Theorem concretely or pictorially and symbolically and by solving… Demonstrate understanding of the surface area of 3-D objects limited to right prisms and cylinders. Demonstrate understanding of volume limited to right prisms and cylinders. (and 1 more outcome)
- Statistics and Probability (SP8.1–SP8.2): Analyze the modes of displaying data and the reasonableness of conclusions. Demonstrate understanding of the probability of independent events concretely, pictorially, orally, and…
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.
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.
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.
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.
Growing & Shrinking Patterns
Finding the constant rate and initial value of a pattern, comparing patterns, writing a rule such as 5n + 2 or 40 − 3n, and using the rule to predict later terms.
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.
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.
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.
Tessellations & Transformations
Why some shapes tessellate, naming the transformations in a tiling, and finding the image of a point after a translation, reflection, rotation or dilation on a coordinate grid.
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
- Beginning
- 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! Meeting is the goal for every outcome. Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Exemplary
- 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 Saskatchewan report card guide.
Common questions
How can I help my Grade 8 child with math?
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.
What does my child learn in Grade 8 math in Saskatchewan?
The Saskatchewan Curriculum Grade 8 math units include squares, cubes & roots, percents & money, ratios, rates & proportions, fraction operations, integer operations, growing & shrinking patterns.
Free printable Grade 8 math practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.