8th Grade Math: Resources & Prep

Dear Families,

At Legacy Magnet Academy, students who complete our accelerated 6th and 7th grade math courses will enter Algebra 1 in 8th grade. That means they’ve already covered all of 8th grade math by the end of 7th grade. To ensure students are fully prepared for success in Algebra 1, they should review and master the following core 8th grade concepts over the summer. Reviewing these key math topics will help them feel confident and prepared.

8th Grade Math

🧾 1. Number Systems & Exponents - CA Standards: 8.NS.1–2; 8.EE.1–4

• Understand rational vs. irrational numbers (e.g., square roots, pi)

• Convert decimals to fractions (and vice versa)

• Know and apply the laws of exponents

  • am⋅an=am+na^m \cdot a^n = a^{m+n}am⋅an=am+n

  • (am)n=amn(a^m)^n = a^{mn}(am)n=amn

  • a0=1a^0 = 1a0=1

• Use scientific notation for very large and small numbers

• Perform operations with scientific notation

🧮 2. Expressions & Linear Equations - CA Standards: 8.EE.5–7

• Understand slope as rate of change

• Interpret y = mx + b (slope-intercept form)

• Graph linear equations

• Solve multi-step equations with variables on both sides

• Solve equations involving distribution and combining like terms

📉 3. Functions - CA Standards: 8.F.1–4

• Understand the concept of a function as one input → one output

• Identify functions from tables, graphs, or equations

• Compare linear functions

• Interpret slope and intercept in real-world contexts

📐 4. Geometry & Transformations - CA Standards: 8.G.1–5

• Perform and describe translations, reflections, rotations, and dilations

• Understand that congruent figures result from rigid transformations

• Use coordinates to describe transformations

• Understand and apply the Pythagorean Theorem

• Solve problems involving distance and right triangles

🔢 5. Volume & Real-World Geometry - CA Standards: 8.G.9

• Know and use volume formulas for cones, cylinders, and spheres

• Solve real-world problems involving volume

📊 6. Statistics - CA Standards: 8.SP.1–4

• Construct and interpret scatter plots

• Analyze correlation between two variables

• Understand and describe patterns of association in bivariate data

• Fit and use lines of best fit

Resources:

While we are not assigning summer homework, we strongly recommend that families use this list to guide optional summer review and learning.

For helpful free resources and practice websites, see below:

🔹 Khan Academy (https://www.khanacademy.org)

• https://www.khanacademy.org/math/cc-eighth-grade-math 

  • Aligned to Common Core/CA standards

    • Search any topic (e.g., "surface area")

  • Personalized practice and videos

🔹 Illustrative Mathematics – Open Up Resources

• https://access.openupresources.org/curricula/im/7-8 

  • Select Grade level from the dropdown.

  • Materials are free and standards-aligned / Includes guided questions and tasks

    • Use the "Student Resources" tab for printable practice and lesson summaries.

🔹 IXL (Free Limited Use)

• https://www.ixl.com/math/grade-8 

  • Topic-by-topic practice (surface area, probability, data)

  • IXL is subscription-based, but you can access a few practice questions per day for free.

🔹 MathGames.com

• https://www.mathgames.com/grade8 

  • Interactive practice, no login required for many games

  • Good for review of geometry and statistics

🔹 PBS LearningMedia – Math

• https://ca.pbslearningmedia.org/subjects/mathematics/ 

  • Engaging videos and interactive lessons organized by grade and topic

🔹 Math Antics (YouTube)

• https://www.youtube.com/user/mathantics

  • Short, easy-to-understand videos for geometry, statistics, volume, and probability