At FreedomHomeschooling.com, we list several free all-in-one-curriculum programs. These programs include every subject your 8th grader will need. Homeschoolers often choose all-in-one programs because of the simplicity they provide. They take care of the planning and curriculum selection for you.
However, many homeschoolers, myself included, prefer to choose a separate curriculum for each subject. This allows us to customize our children’s education, choosing materials that fit their learning styles and individual needs in each subject area. Also, I’ve always enjoyed the variety that a more eclectic approach provides. Using the same approach and materials for every subject can become monotonous for some students.
If you’d like to piece together your own customized 8th grade curriculum, visit FreedomHomeschooling.com’s main page, and choose a subject area to explore from the menu. On that subject’s page, you will find a list of links to free curriculum resources.
Below, I’ve provided a sample 8th grade Christian curriculum. This sample curriculum is intended to give you an idea of what a 8th grade curriculum could look like. Feel free to make substitutions as needed. If you have other children, you may prefer to study some subjects, like Bible, history, and science, together as a family.
Math
MasterMath offers 8th grade math. If your child is ready for it, they also offer Algebra I. MasterMath’s lessons include video lectures, printable worksheets, an online quiz, and links to other websites for practice and further discussion of the lesson’s concept. To complete this math curriculum, the parent will need to add additional worksheets or online practice for each concept. While the author recommends an IXL math subscription, you can find free practice at Math is Fun, HelpingWithMath.com, Khan Academy, and School Yourself. For more information on using MasterMath, be sure to read their instructions for homeschoolers.
Literature
For literature, you may use the following downloadable novel study guides:
Animal Farm by George Orwell
The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Pilgrims Progress by John Bunyan- online book with clickable scripture links, downloadable version, audiobook, and discussion questions
The guides include background information about the author, comprehension questions, vocabulary, writing assignments, and more. While these study guides are free, you will need to obtain the necessary novels, other than Pilgrims Progress which is available for free online. To save money, you can either borrow them from your library or purchase used.
For additional reading, you can use Elson Reader: Book 8. This reader includes both fiction and nonfiction reading. The four sections of the book are titled The World of Nature, The World of Adventure, The Great American Experiment, and Literature & Life in the Homeland. The works of many famous authors are included in the reader. The reader also includes discussion questions and vocabulary words.
English and Writing
Plain and not so Plain offers a downloadable workbook which covers both English and Writing. Each lesson in the workbook starts with a short explanation of the concept being taught. Then there’s a practice exercise or writing assignment. The workbook has 278 pages, so your child will need to complete about eight pages a week to finish the book in one school year. For more information about the Plain and not so Plain curriculum, I recommend that you watch the author’s video.
Spelling
K12 Reader’s High School Spelling Curriculum can also be used with 8th grade students. This curriculum focusses on the most commonly misspelled words. There are 36 weeks’ worth of spelling words. Each spelling list has downloadable worksheets which teach a spelling rule and provide practice exercises. If your child is already proficient in spelling, they may not need a spelling curriculum in 8th grade.
Bible
Bible Fluency is a multi-media Bible survey course which includes video instruction, teacher’s guides, workbooks, flashcards, teaching aids, and memory songs. The course is divided into Old and New Testament sections, each of which can be completed in 12 weeks. Most of the lessons will take about an hour to complete. The lessons can be done once a week or spread out over multiple days. For more information about Bible Fluency, you can read Cathy Duffy’s review.
Science
In Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool’s Physics and Chemistry course, your child will learn about the periodic table of elements, atoms, molecules, the states of matter, chemical reactions, light, sound, forces, the Three Laws of Motion, energy, heat, electricity, magnetism, simple machines, engineering, and more. The course is made up of a printable workbook, readings, videos, online activities, hands-on activities, and experiments. The material is scheduled in 180 daily lessons. Easy Peasy offers this course at two levels. Your 8th grader will be in the upper level, which is designed for 5th through 8th grade.
History
In Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool’s Modern American History course, your child will study American history from post Civil War to the present time. The course is made up of a printable workbook, readings, videos, and other online materials. Your child will complete a variety of projects to demonstrate their knowledge of the material, as well as, write newspaper articles based on events in history.
Art
In Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool’s Art – Modern course, your child will study artists of the 20th century and their works. They will also learn more about art through the study of edges, outlines, repetition, perspective, and natural and arbitrary colors. This art course coincides with Easy Peasy’s Modern American History course. The material is scheduled in 36 once a week lessons.
Music
In Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool’s Music – Modern course, your child will be exposed to a variety of 20th century composers and their music. Pop music, as well as, iconic stage and movie compositions will also be explored. Additionally, they will learn more about music by studying sound, rhythm, mood, and the instruments of the orchestra. This music course coincides with Easy Peasy’s Modern American History course. The material is scheduled in 36 once a week lessons.
Geography
Knowledge Quest’s Ebook, Globalmania: Master World Geography in 7 Months or Less, provides a detailed plan for learning U.S. and world geography. Each month of the plan focusses on a different region of the world. The course uses free online games, quizzes, and printable maps.
Life Skills
Practical Money Skills teaches students basic financial concepts. Some of the topics covered are making money, budgeting, buying a home, credit cards, saving and investing, the influence of advertising, consumer awareness, and more. Each lesson includes a downloadable teacher’s guide, student activates, and a PowerPoint presentation. There are only 12 lessons, so this course should take less than a semester to complete. You may wish to begin it after your child has finished the geography course above.
Computer Skills
Code.org’s Computer Science Discoveries course covers programming, physical computing, HTML/CSS, data, and more. Your child will engage with computer science as a medium for creativity, communication, problem solving, and fun. They will also learn how to build websites, apps, and games. The course can either be taught in a semester or as a year-long course.
Physical Education and Health
Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool’s PE/Health (evens) course teaches the correct way to exercise and the importance of good nutrition. Your child will work on improving their strength and endurance. They will also learn about fire safety and a variety of disabilities. Easy Peasy offers this course at two levels. Your 8th grader will be in the upper level, which is designed for 5th through 8th grade. The material is scheduled in 36 weekly lessons.
Other Grades
I hope this sample curriculum has been helpful. If you’re looking for guides for other grades, you can find them here.
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