English & Writing · K–8

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

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

8 topics960 questions212 printed pagesAges 13–14

What an 8th grade student covers in English & Writing

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

  1. Verbals: gerunds, participles and infinitivesExplain the function of verbals in general and in particular sentencesLanguage (L.8.1a)
  2. Active and passive voiceForm and use verbs in the active and passive voice and choose the voice that fits the purposeLanguage (L.8.1b)
  3. Verb mood: indicative, imperative, conditional and subjunctiveForm and use verbs in the indicative, imperative, interrogative, conditional and subjunctive moodLanguage (L.8.1c)
  4. Commas, ellipses and dashes for a pause or breakUse a comma, ellipsis or dash to indicate a pause or break in a sentenceLanguage (L.8.2a)
  5. Narratives that shift time and settingUse transitions to convey sequence and signal shifts in time frame or setting, with reflection on the eventsWriting (W.8.3)
  6. Informative essays with formal styleDevelop a topic with well-chosen facts, quotations and examples; use precise language and a formal styleWriting (W.8.2)
  7. Arguments with counterclaimsDistinguish a claim from alternate or opposing claims and support it with logical reasoning and credible evidenceWriting (W.8.1)
  8. Judging source credibility and accuracyAssess the credibility and accuracy of each source, quote or paraphrase, and cite in a standard formatWriting (W.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 212 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 — Verbals: gerunds, participles and infinitives — as a printable PDF. No payment.

Download the free sample (PDF)

Every grade of English & Writing

Every subject in 8th grade

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Questions parents ask

How many topics are in 8th grade English & Writing?

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 — Verbals: gerunds, participles and infinitives — 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.