Top Picks for the Best 8th Grade Homeschool Curriculum
Find what you need to know about curriculum, schedule, and ideas for homeschooling an 8th grader.
Author
Lisa Luciano
Published:
April 2025
Key takeaways
- • 8th grade homeschooling helps your child dive deeper into basic subjects.
- • Help your 8th grade homeschooler move toward self-directed, independent learning before high school.
- • Use an 8th grade curriculum plus enrichment activities to encourage an attitude of fulfilling lifelong learning.
Eighth grade is typically the final year of middle school in the United States, so 8th grade homeschool will launch you into high school homeschooling. As you homeschool eighth grade, you are helping your child conquer the basics and transition toward independence. As a parent, you are still needed, but your role may shift from “expert instructor” to “academic coach” as your child begins to tackle more complex subjects. In addition to more complex concepts, eighth graders are moving toward independent thinking and an increasing ability to analyze and express themselves verbally and in writing. Even if parents have been homeschooling all the way through, it’s not uncommon to wonder, “how to homeschool my 8th grader?” If you are wondering too, read on to learn how to create a workable schedule, how to choose an eighth-grade homeschool curriculum, and more about homeschooling an 8th grader.
What subjects are taught in the 8th grade?
With reading and math foundations in place, eighth graders dive deeper into the subjects they have already explored. The eighth grade core subjects include: language arts, math, history, and science.
Language Arts
By the end of eighth grade, students will have practice:
- Using reading comprehension in a variety of documents.
- Mastering literary skills such as analyzing texts.
- Using proper grammar, correct spelling in compositions, proper use of punctuation, correct verb tense
- Writing essays
- Writing complex compositions, such as research papers, and informational articles
- Writing poetry and short stories research papers.
- Vocabulary building
- Summarizing, contrasting, comparing, and inferring the author meaning
- Recognizing and understanding figurative language, allusion, and analogy
- Recognizing opinion and bias
Math
An eighth-grade homeschool math program may vary from student to student. Some eighth graders may be ready for Algebra I, while some are in pre-algebra. Most eighth graders are working to master concepts such as:
- Algebraic and geometric concepts
- Measurement and Probability
- Square roots
- Rational and irrational numbers
- Slope-intercept formal
- Understanding and evaluating functions
- Graphing
- Parallel and perpendicular lines
- Finding the area and volume for complex geometric shapes
- The Pythagorean theorem
- Word problems
History
Depending on your chosen curriculum, 8th grade homeschool history may include geography and social studies in addition to ancient, modern, American, or world history. Specific areas of study may include:
- Explorers and discoveries
- World Geography
- The expansion and growth of the United States
- U.S. important historical documents
- The American Civil War
- U.S. political and economic system
- U.S. government
Science
Homeschool eighth grade science typically continues to explore general science, including life science, physical science, and earth science. Concepts include:
- Earth’s composition
- Oceans
- Weather
- Atmosphere
- Water
- Magnetism
- Electricity
- Heat and light
- Atoms
- Nuclear energy
- Liquids and gases
- Newton’s laws of motion
- Simple machines
- The periodic table of the elements
- Compounds and mixtures
- Chemical changes
Table of contents
Eighth grade homeschool schedule
There is no “one right schedule” for eighth grade homeschool. Depending on your course of study it may take three to four hours of formal instruction, guided practice, and independent work. The rest of the homeschool day can be spent in enrichment activities such as reading, physical education, art, and music, depending on your family preferences.
How to choose an 8th-grade homeschool curriculum
Although there is no perfect eighth grade curriculum, with research you can find one that suits your child’s learning style and your family’s preferences. Finding a curriculum you can easily navigate and one that engages your child can make a positive difference and get eighth grade homeschool off to a great start. Here are a few things to consider when choosing an 8th grade homeschool curriculum:
- What is your child’s learning style?
- Are you looking for traditional workbooks or an online curriculum?
- How much do you want to be involved?
- What are your child’s strengths?
- Do you want a faith-based or secular curriculum?
- Which curriculum best fits your budget?
What are the best 8th-grade homeschool curriculums?
There are endless curriculum options available, from comprehensive all-in-one kits to mix and match by subject. Over 28 years of homeschooling we have made our choices and made changes as needed. Don’t be afraid to switch curriculums if the one you are using doesn’t meet your child’s needs. That said, here are some solid 8th grade homeschool curriculum choices that are beloved favorites of many homeschooling families:
8th grade Language Arts homeschool curriculum
- Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW). I am biased towards the Institute for Excellence in Writing. As a newbie homeschooler, I attended a seminar, went through the program, and got hooked. IEW takes the mystery out of writing and makes it so easy to teach your child the elements of writing with its systematic approach.
- IEW Phonetic Zoo. This self-paced program teaches spelling rules and jingles and allows your child to practice words until they master them.
- Easy Grammar. Easy grammar offers short and long assignments to teach concepts. Easy Grammar is a popular choice because it makes grammar and writing EASY.
- Thoughtful Learning Language Arts offers K-12 grammar and writing, along with excellent parent-educator resources.
8th grade math homeschool curriculum
- Teaching Textbooks is my top choice for busy homeschool families. We started with traditional workbooks, but correcting dozens of problems got to be too much for me. With Teaching Textbooks, the lecture is built in, and grading is instant. Parents like the parent login that lets them keep track of student progress and trouble spots. Teaching Textbooks can take your child from pre-algebra through geometry and pre-calculus.
- Saxon Math is also a tried-and-true favorite. Using a spiral approach, Saxon Math provides thorough practice until mastery is achieved.
- Math-U-See, a popular homeschool favorite, helps students achieve mastery through videos, manipulatives, and more.
- Horizons Math is a budget-friendly homeschool math curriculum that offers teaching and grading kits to help your child gain a solid understanding of math concepts.
8th grade history homeschool curriculum
- Moving Beyond the Page homeschool history program covers world history, American history, and ancient civilizations for grades 3-12. I love that their approach is interdisciplinary, weaving language arts, social studies, and science into their lessons. Moving Beyond the Page uses engaging videos, books, and hands-on activities to teach history.
- Pandia Press’s History Odyssey for grades 6-12 offers a four-part history curriculum from ancient to modern times that includes hands-on activities as well as discussion, reading, independent study, and critical thinking activities.
8th grade science homeschool curriculum
- Classical Science by Elemental Science is a top-rated history curriculum that offers a classical approach to history. With short-lessons, nature observation, and hands-on activities, this curriculum follows classical education’s three-stage model. The eighth grade year falls into the “logic stage” and this series covers biology, earth science, astronomy, chemistry, and physics.
- Calvert Homeschool Science was recently voted the best online science program. Calvert capitalizes on natural curiosity with engaging experiments and aims to develop students’ ability to understand and implement scientific inquiry. This 8th grade homeschool science covers geology, oceanography, astronomy, and more.
- Mel Science is a subscription box-style curriculum that delights students with its variety of lab science experiments. Highly recommended by homeschoolers, Mel Science offers fun science activities in areas like STEM, chemistry, physics, and medicine.
8th grade electives
Although electives are typically for high school, the following home-based electives are perfect for all ages:
- Physical Education. Oh, the memories of middle school gym class; just thinking about it makes me glad for homeschooling. But we don’t want our kids to miss out on important physical education, and the opportunity to do something active every day. Some families participate in local sports, run in local races, collaborate with other homeschooling families, or plan outdoor family game nights.
- Foreign languages. Check with your state graduation requirements to see if a foreign language is a high school requirement. There are various ways to learn a language at home, including Breaking the Barrier Spanish and French.
- Sign language. ASL classes may be available in your local area and are available online.
- Cooking and Baking. After binge-watching The Great British Bake Off, my son was inspired to start baking. With a little planning ahead, baking was an easy elective at our house.
- Outdoor Education. Take advantage of park activities in your local area, or check out the nearest state park for outdoor learning opportunities.
- Theater and music. Some communities offer opportunities to participate in musicals and plays. In addition, Outschool offers a variety of fun online classes that include music, drama, and more.
8th grade personal assignment notebook
Eighth graders still need accountability as they shift toward self-directed learning. One way to encourage responsibility is with a personal assignment notebook. An assignment notebook can ease your child towards organization and independence. If you are also teaching younger children, it helps the older child stay busy and focused.
Using an assignment notebook is easy with these simple steps:
- Write the assignments on the page, add the date, and mark the assignments that the student can do on their own.
- Create a checkbox for each assignment, so the child can mark when finished with the assignment.
- Add any relevant notes or reminders.
- Keep the notebook in the same place every day.
25 middle school must-reads
In 8th grade homeschool, reading is still one of our favorite things to do. Whether your child enjoys listening to audiobooks or likes reading graphic novels, be sure to make time in your homeschool schedule for free reading. Here is a partial list (voted on by hundreds of Goodreads members) of recommended books for students to read before they finish middle school:
(Save the movie until after they have read the book!)
- The Giver by Lois Lowry
- Holes by Louis Sachar
- The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
- The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
- Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
- Wonder by R.J. Palacio
- Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
- Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
- Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
- Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
- The Princess Bride by William Goldman
- Watership Down by Richard Adams
- The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall
- The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
- When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
- The Cay by Theodore Taylor
- The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
- Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
- The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi
- Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
- Animal Farm by George Orwell
- Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson
Conclusion
If you have been homeschooling from the beginning, getting to eighth grade is a worthy milestone. Eighth grade is the time to transition your child towards self-directed, independent learning. They still need you, but your role may change from “expert” to “coach.” Choosing the right 8th grade homeschool curriculum takes research and perhaps a bit of trial and error. Keep in mind what works for other families may not work for yours. Beyond the curriculum, consider adding some enrichment activities, electives, and educational field trips, along with space for free reading. Never forget that as you homeschool 8th grade, you are paving the way for your child’s adventure of lifelong learning.
FAQs
Formal instruction for eighth grade homeschool may only take 3-4 hours. In addition to lessons, make time for educational activities that will enrich your child’s homeschool experience.
Some states offer tax deductions, reimbursements, or grants to parents who homeschool their children. Here is a list of states that offered financial assistance to homeschooling families in 2024.
8th grade homeschool students learn reading comprehension skills, problem-solving, writing, and self-directed learning. They learn more complex math concepts, solve real-world math problems, and practice the scientific inquiry method.
Eighth grade subjects include language arts, history, science, and math. Art, physical education, health, and music are also typical 8th grade subjects.
