8th Grade Games: Fun Educational Games for Eighth Graders

What Is My 8th Grader Learning in Math?

Within the number system focus area, your 8th grader will be learning the difference between rational and irrational numbers. Remember, rational numbers are those that can be named and irrational numbers are those that do not have an exact amount that can be identified. In the geometry focus area, one of the skills your child will be learning is how to determine if figures are congruent based on their rotations and reflections.

By 8th grade, your child may be accustomed to learning through lectures rather than hands-on activities. Increase your child's motivation to learn these concepts by providing learning opportunities that are fun and engaging.

Mirror Image

For this activity, you will need a roll of brown craft paper for your child to draw on. Roll out several feet of the craft paper and trace your child's foot and hand. Have your child draw the rotation and reflection of his or her foot and hand. If your child is having difficulty drawing the reflection, feel free to provide him or her with a mirror.

As an extension activity, have your child search for items with a distinguishable shape. Ask him or her to trace the objects onto the craft paper, and then draw the reflection and rotation of these unusual objects.

Draw a Number Sentence

Before beginning this activity, label index cards with 15 positive numbers, 15 negative numbers, five addition signs and five subtraction signs. Divide the cards into three groups and place each group in a bowl. This activity will work best if you mix up the positive and negative number cards, and then divide them into two groups. Have your child draw one card from each bowl.

Your child should use these three cards to create a number sentence to solve. For example, if your child drew cards labeled -5, + and 6, he or she would create a number sentence that looks like this: -5 + 6 = 1. After your child has solved the problem correctly, return the cards to the bowl and create a new problem.