Reading · K–8

8th grade reading curriculum: every topic, in teaching order

All 8 topics in 8th grade reading, in teaching order, each with the standard it addresses. Free printable sample, and 960 questions in the full workbook.

8 topics960 questions300 printed pagesAges 13–14

What an 8th grade student covers in Reading

In teaching order. Each line is one topic, its one-line summary, and the standard it addresses.

  1. Choosing the strongest evidenceCite the evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of a storyReading: Literature (RL.8.1)
  2. Theme, characters, setting and plotAnalyze a theme's development through characters, setting and plot; summarize objectivelyReading: Literature (RL.8.2)
  3. Dialogue and incidents that drive a storyAnalyze how lines of dialogue or incidents propel action, reveal character or provoke decisionsReading: Literature (RL.8.3)
  4. Dramatic irony and suspenseAnalyze how differences in what characters and readers know create suspense or humorReading: Literature (RL.8.6)
  5. Connotation, analogies and allusionsDetermine word meanings, including figurative and connotative, and the impact of analogiesReading: Informational Text (RI.8.4)
  6. How a paragraph builds an ideaAnalyze how particular sentences develop and refine a key concept in a paragraphReading: Informational Text (RI.8.5)
  7. Author's response to other viewpointsDetermine an author's point of view or purpose and how the author responds to conflicting evidence or viewpointsReading: Informational Text (RI.8.6)
  8. Spotting irrelevant evidenceEvaluate an argument's reasoning and evidence and recognize when irrelevant evidence is introducedReading: Informational Text (RI.8.8)

Each topic names the standard it addresses. That alignment is UpOnly Learning's own reading of the published standards; the people who own those standards do not review or endorse what we publish, and standards change.

What one lesson contains

Every topic in every subject follows the same five steps, then an answer key. Nothing changes between subjects, so a student always knows what comes next.

  1. Quick CheckQuestions before you teach, to show what the student already knows. A high score means you can move faster.
  2. Learn ItKey words, step-by-step teaching with lines you can read aloud, worked examples, and the mistakes to watch for.
  3. We Do It TogetherQuestions you work through side by side. The answer and the reason it is the answer are printed right after each question.
  4. You TryThe student works alone. Do a page a day, or as many as the student needs.
  5. Show What You KnowNew questions at the end. Compare the score with the Quick Check to see the change.
  6. Answer KeyEvery question has its answer and a short explanation, at the end of each topic, so a student can work without peeking.

What is in the printable workbook

8 topics, 960 questions and 300 printed pages, with the answer key included.

$19.99 as a PDF you print at home, as many copies as you need for your own household.

Workbook storeSee the whole curriculum

Start with the free sample

One full topic — Choosing the strongest evidence — as a printable PDF. No payment.

Download the free sample (PDF)

Every grade of Reading

Every subject in 8th grade

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Questions parents ask

How many topics are in 8th grade Reading?

8. They are listed above in teaching order, each with its one-line summary and the standard it addresses.

What does one lesson look like?

Five steps — Quick Check, Learn It, We Do It Together, You Try, Show What You Know — and then an answer key with a short explanation for every question.

Is the sample really free?

Yes. One full topic — Choosing the strongest evidence — as a printable PDF, with the answer key. No payment and no card.

Do you publish grades above 8?

Not yet. Kindergarten through 8th grade now, high school coming soon. We announce each grade when it is ready.