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What an 8-year-old learns

172 topics open up at age 8, across 13 subjects. They are listed in the order they build on each other, not by importance: each one needs the ones above it.

age 7age 9
What should an 8-year-old be learning?

At age 8, 172 topics open up across Mathematics, Science, English, Geography, Civics & Economics, History, Learning to Learn, Arts & Music, Computing, Design & Technology, Chess, Languages, Personal & Social Development. Each one has prerequisites that come first, so the order matters more than the list: Counting in 6s is a typical starting point.

How do I know what an 8-year-old already knows?

LightMySky starts by assuming everything below the learner’s level is already known, then checks the assumption as they practise. What holds up stays lit; what does not comes back for review.

Mathematics

  1. Counting in 6sCounting & Cardinality
  2. Nets of 3-D ShapesGeometry
  3. Transformations on a gridGeometry
  4. 2-D shapes (age 8+)Geometry
  5. Lines of symmetryGeometry
  6. Types of angles (age 8+)Geometry
  7. Understanding angles (age 8+)Geometry
  8. Understanding AreaMeasurement
  9. Area (age 8+)Measurement
  10. Area by TilingMeasurement
  11. Rectangle area by multiplyingMeasurement
  12. Area and the distributive propertyMeasurement
  13. Area of compound shapesMeasurement
  14. All times tables to 12×12Multiplication & Division
  15. What Division MeansMultiplication & Division
  16. What Multiplication MeansMultiplication & Division
  17. Division as Unknown FactorMultiplication & Division
  18. Fluent multiplication and division factsMultiplication & Division
  19. Multiplication and Division Word ProblemsMultiplication & Division
  20. Properties of OperationsMultiplication & Division
  21. Factor Pairs & CommutativityMultiplication & Division
  22. Patterns in Times TablesMultiplication & Division
  23. Unknown in Multiplication & DivisionMultiplication & Division
  24. First Quadrant CoordinatesGeometry
  25. Coordinates (age 8+)Geometry
  26. Describing MovementsGeometry
  27. Types of anglesGeometry
  28. Adding Fractions (Same Denominator)Fractions
  29. Decimal & Percent NotationFractions
  30. Fractions of a wholeFractions
  31. Comparing fractions (age 8+)Fractions
  32. Fractions as parts of shapesFractions
  33. Fractions of a whole (age 8+)Fractions
  34. Fractions of amounts (harder)Fractions
  35. Fractions on a number line (age 8+)Fractions
  36. Tenths (age 8+)Fractions
  37. Decimal equivalents of tenths and hundredthsFractions
  38. Decimal place valueFractions
  39. Decimal place value (age 8+)Fractions
  40. Decimals and fractionsFractions
  41. Dividing by 10 and 100Fractions
  42. 12-hour and 24-hour timeMeasurement
  43. Telling time to the minute (age 8+)Measurement
  44. Numbers on a number lineMeasurement
  45. Equivalent fractions on a number lineFractions
  46. Equivalent fractions (age 8+)Fractions
  47. Fraction-Decimal EquivalentsFractions
  48. Converting measurement unitsMeasurement
  49. Estimating and comparing moneyMeasurement
  50. Measuring Liquids & MassesMeasurement
  51. Perimeters of polygonsMeasurement
  52. Fluent adding and subtracting within 1000Addition & Subtraction
  53. Multiplying by TensMultiplication & Division
  54. Written MultiplicationMultiplication & Division
  55. Multiply & Add ProblemsMultiplication & Division
  56. Negative NumbersNumber Representation & Place Value
  57. Place value of each digitNumber Representation & Place Value
  58. Adding and subtracting (age 8+)Addition & Subtraction
  59. Two-step addition and subtraction problemsAddition & Subtraction
  60. Mental multiplication and divisionMultiplication & Division
  61. 1000 More or LessNumber Representation & Place Value
  62. Numbers to 10,000Number Representation & Place Value
  63. Comparing Large NumbersNumber Representation & Place Value
  64. Roman numerals to 100Number Representation & Place Value
  65. Rounding to 10, 100, 1000Number Representation & Place Value
  66. Two-Step EquationsAddition & Subtraction
  67. Place Value Problem-SolvingNumber Representation & Place Value
  68. Halves and quarters (age 8+)Measurement
  69. Representing numbers with objects (age 8+)Data & Statistics
  70. Bar graphsData & Statistics
  71. Choosing mathematical toolsMathematical Thinking
  72. Fractions on a number lineMathematical Thinking
  73. Justifying mathematical reasoning (age 8+)Mathematical Thinking
  74. Mathematical PrecisionMathematical Thinking
  75. Modelling with multiplication and fractionsMathematical Thinking
  76. Multi-Step Problem SolvingMathematical Thinking
  77. Times tables (age 8+)Mathematical Thinking
  78. Using Mathematical StructureMathematical Thinking

Science

  1. Balanced & Unbalanced ForcesForces & Motion
  2. Predicting Motion PatternsForces & Motion
  3. Solids, Liquids & GasesMatter & Materials
  4. Inheritance VocabularyOrganisms & Life Processes
  5. Inherited characteristicsOrganisms & Life Processes
  6. Traits: inherited and environmentalOrganisms & Life Processes
  7. Seasonal changes (age 8+)Earth's Systems
  8. Correlation vs CausationScientific Inquiry
  9. Simple Design ProblemsScientific Inquiry
  10. Comparing Possible SolutionsScientific Inquiry
  11. Fair testing (age 8+)Scientific Inquiry
  12. Earth & Space VocabularySpace Systems & Earth's History
  13. The Digestive SystemOrganisms & Life Processes
  14. Types of TeethOrganisms & Life Processes
  15. Pitch of SoundsWaves, Light & Sound
  16. Sound Travels Through MaterialsWaves, Light & Sound
  17. Sound Fading with DistanceWaves, Light & Sound
  18. Volume & VibrationsWaves, Light & Sound
  19. What uses electricity at homeEnergy
  20. Building a simple circuitEnergy
  21. Conductors and insulatorsEnergy
  22. Will the bulb light up?Energy
  23. How switches workEnergy
  24. Evaporation & the Water CycleMatter & Materials
  25. Weather vs climateEarth's Systems
  26. Designing for Weather HazardsWeather & Climate
  27. Variation & Survival AdvantageOrganisms & Life Processes
  28. Animal Groups & SurvivalEcosystems & Habitats
  29. Changing EnvironmentsEcosystems & Habitats
  30. Ecology VocabularyEcosystems & Habitats
  31. Food Chains & Energy TransferEcosystems & Habitats
  32. Grouping Living ThingsEcosystems & Habitats
  33. Classification KeysEcosystems & Habitats
  34. Human impact on environmentsEcosystems & Habitats
  35. Reading Food Web DiagramsEcosystems & Habitats
  36. Fossils as EvidenceDinosaurs & Paleontology
  37. How animals adapt to environmentsOrganisms & Life Processes

English

  1. Spellings from Greek, French and LatinSpelling & Word Study
  2. Why the author wrote itReading Comprehension
  3. Abstract nounsGrammar & Punctuation
  4. Agreement in sentencesGrammar & Punctuation
  5. Plural vs Possessive in NounsGrammar & Punctuation
  6. Morals in Fables, Folktales and MythsReading Comprehension
  7. Fronted Adverbials and CommasGrammar & Punctuation
  8. Writing Craft VocabularyWriting Composition
  9. Reporting & RecountingSpeaking & Listening
  10. Vivid Word ChoicesWriting Composition
  11. Structural terminologyReading Comprehension
  12. Literal vs Figurative LanguageVocabulary
  13. Comparatives & SuperlativesGrammar & Punctuation
  14. Expanded noun phrases (age 8+)Grammar & Punctuation
  15. Grammar Terms: Pronouns and DeterminersGrammar & Punctuation
  16. Connecting Ideas in TextsReading Comprehension
  17. Short Research ProjectsWriting Composition
  18. Knowing What You Don't KnowEnglish Thinking
  19. Preparing for and Explaining in DiscussionsSpeaking & Listening
  20. Reviewing Own WritingEnglish Thinking
  21. Simple Past, Present and FutureGrammar & Punctuation
  22. Standard English VerbsGrammar & Punctuation
  23. Revising and editing (age 8+)Writing Composition
  24. Character Traits and MotivationReading Comprehension

Geography

  1. Reading Maps: Symbols and GridsMaps & Globes
  2. Countries of the WorldPlaces & Regions
  3. Adapting to EnvironmentsPeople & Environments
  4. Geographical FieldworkPeople & Environments
  5. Human and Economic GeographyPeople & Environments
  6. Where People Live and WhyPeople & Environments

Civics & Economics

  1. Incentives and ChoicesEconomics
  2. Laws and How They ChangeGovernment
  3. Levels and Branches of GovernmentGovernment
  4. How Groups Make DecisionsCitizenship in Action
  5. Taking Action on Community ProblemsCitizenship in Action

History

  1. Britain After 1066Britain Through Time
  2. Questioning Historical SourcesHistorical Thinking
  3. Checking Sources Against Each OtherHistorical Thinking
  4. Understanding People in Their Own TimeHistorical Thinking

Learning to Learn

  1. Describing Rules & PatternsLearning to Learn
  2. Learning from MistakesLearning to Learn
  3. Transferring SkillsLearning to Learn
  4. Understanding WhyLearning to Learn

Arts & Music

  1. Composing MusicMusic
  2. Music Through HistoryMusic
  3. Developing Art TechniquesVisual Art

Computing

  1. Networks and the InternetComputing Fundamentals
  2. Programming with Loops and VariablesComputing Fundamentals
  3. Searching and Evaluating OnlineComputing Fundamentals

Design & Technology

  1. Design Briefs and Better ProductsDesigning & Making
  2. Design That Changed the WorldDesigning & Making
  3. Cooking and Food PreparationFood & Cooking

Chess

  1. Simple checkmatespack: Chess basics
  2. Making good tradespack: Chess basics

Languages

  1. Grammar Patterns Across LanguagesLanguage Learning
  2. Writing in a New LanguageLanguage Learning

Personal & Social Development

  1. Your Impact on OthersSelf-Awareness
What an 8-year-old learns · LightMySky