Homeschooling is becoming increasingly popular, particularly with eighth grade students. Parents have the right to educate their children at home and have full responsibility for their children’s education. A homeschool curriculum must include science to meet state requirements, but what 8th graders need to know can vary widely.
When homeschooling 8th grade, the curriculum must cover important concepts from the natural sciences and mathematics to help prepare adolescents for high school science. Learn more about what is typically included in a homeschool curricula for science and how to choose a curriculum for your 8th grader.
What Is Generally Covered in 8th Grade Homeschool Science Curricula?
The first step in understanding what 8th grade homeschool science curricula cover is to understand the different branches of science. Typically, 8th grade curricula focus on earth sciences, physical sciences, and life sciences.
Earth sciences include the study of geography, rocks, weather, oceanography, and geology. Physical sciences including the study of physics, chemistry, and astronomy. Life sciences include basic cells functions, the human body, health, and the study of plants and animals.
Math and scientific reasoning are other important components of 8th grade homeschool science curricula. Understand probability, the metric system, graphing, and problem solving in mathematics.
Learn the scientific method, experiments, and the process of creating and testing hypotheses.
What Supplements Can Be Used for 8th Grade Homeschool Science?
You can use a variety of resources to supplement 8th grade homeschool science curricula. Khan Academy offers free video lectures, tutorials, and assessments as resources to supplement your homeschool curriculum. Experiment kits, scientific calculators, microscopes, and encyclopedias are other useful resources.
Books can also be used to supplement 8th grade homeschool science curricula. Check out books like Life Science by Richard G.
Smith, The Human Body Book by Steve Parker, and Astronomy Through Practical Investigations by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill.
Homeschool Science and Educational Standards
When selecting a homeschool science curriculum for 8th grade, you should also keep in mind the standards for science in your state. Search for your state’s educational standards for 8th grade science and use them as a guideline for selecting a curriculum.
The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) is another benchmark you can use to evaluate the content of your 8th grade homeschool science curricula. The NGSS is a set of science education standards developed by a partnership of 26 states in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It includes 8th grade standards for the three core disciplines, earth, physical, and life sciences.
What Are Some Recommended 8th Grade Homeschool Science Curricula?
Many different homeschool science curricula are available for 8th grade. Science programs like Apologia, Real Science 4 Kids, Math-U-See, and Abeka offer full year 8th grade science courses. Science courses like Exploring Creation with Biology by Apologia use a variety of resources, including textbooks, notebooks, and lab activities to help students learn the content.
Mathworks provides fun, interesting worksheets and activities to help 8th graders understand math and scientific topics.
How to Prepare for a Homeschool Science Test
If your 8th grader is using a homeschool science curriculum that includes testing, then you should make sure your child is well prepared for the test. Parents should review the content with their children to ensure they have a good understanding of the material. Exercises and practice tests can also be used to help students prepare.
Encourage your 8th grader to practice problem solving and research to improve their science skills.
Tips for Teaching Science at Home
When homeschooling 8th grade science, it is important to use teaching methods and activities to help your child engage with the material. Utilize hands-on activities and experiments to help your child understand the scientific process. Encourage your child to research topics of interest and discuss the information learned.
Visuals can also be used to help aid understanding, using videos, pictures, and graphs.
Advantages of Homeschool Science for 8th Grade
Homeschool science for 8th grade provides three advantages over traditional classroom instruction. First, it allows for flexibility in when and how learning occurs. You can adapt the curriculum and teaching methods to fit the need of your child.
Second, it allows students to take their time and explore topics in greater detail, which can help them gain a deeper understanding of the material. Third, it allows students to learn in their own way and develop a passion for science.
Disadvantages of Homeschool Science for 8th Grade
There are also some potential disadvantages of homeschool science for 8th grade. Without a teacher to offer guidance and help, homeschooled students may have difficulty learning the material.
This can lead to decreased confidence and difficulty with problem solving and experimentation. Students may also find it more difficult to participate in opportunities for research, internships, and other hands-on experiences without access to a school lab. ConclusionHomeschool science for 8th grade can be an exciting opportunity to learn and explore.
To get the most out of your homeschool experience, you should take the time to research what your child should learn and supplement your curricula with resources like books, videos, and activities. You should also use your state’s educational standards and the Next Generation Science Standards as benchmarks for evaluating your curriculum. With the right guidance and resources, your 8th grader can enjoy all the benefits of homeschool science.