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What an 8-year-old learns

173 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, 173 topics open up across Mathematics, Science, English, Geography, Civics & Economics, Languages, Computing, History, Learning to Learn, Arts & Music, Design & Technology, Chess, 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. Classifying quadrilateralsGeometry
  3. Lines of symmetry in 2-D shapesGeometry
  4. Completing symmetric figuresGeometry
  5. Nets of 3-D ShapesGeometry
  6. Understanding AreaMeasurement
  7. Area (age 8+)Measurement
  8. Area by TilingMeasurement
  9. Rectangle area by multiplyingMeasurement
  10. Area and the distributive propertyMeasurement
  11. Area of compound shapesMeasurement
  12. All times tables to 12×12Multiplication & Division
  13. What Multiplication MeansMultiplication & Division
  14. Properties of OperationsMultiplication & Division
  15. Factor Pairs & CommutativityMultiplication & Division
  16. Adding fractions (same denominator)Fractions
  17. Decimal & Percent NotationFractions
  18. Fractions of a wholeFractions
  19. Comparing fractions (age 8+)Fractions
  20. Fractions as parts of shapesFractions
  21. Fractions of amounts (harder)Fractions
  22. Fractions on a number line (age 8+)Fractions
  23. Hundredths (age 8+)Fractions
  24. Decimal equivalents of tenths and hundredthsFractions
  25. Comparing two-decimal numbersFractions
  26. Decimals and fractionsFractions
  27. Dividing by 10 and 100Fractions
  28. Rounding decimals to whole numbersFractions
  29. Whole numbers as fractionsFractions
  30. First Quadrant CoordinatesGeometry
  31. Coordinates (age 8+)Geometry
  32. Describing MovementsGeometry
  33. Types of anglesGeometry
  34. 12-hour and 24-hour timeMeasurement
  35. Telling time to the minute (age 8+)Measurement
  36. Elapsed time problemsMeasurement
  37. What Division MeansMultiplication & Division
  38. Division as Unknown FactorMultiplication & Division
  39. Fluent multiplication and division factsMultiplication & Division
  40. Multiplication and Division Word ProblemsMultiplication & Division
  41. Patterns in addition and multiplication tablesMultiplication & Division
  42. Unknown in Multiplication & DivisionMultiplication & Division
  43. Equivalent fractions on a number lineFractions
  44. Equivalent fractions (age 8+)Fractions
  45. Fraction-Decimal EquivalentsFractions
  46. Converting measurement unitsMeasurement
  47. Estimating and comparing measuresMeasurement
  48. Measuring liquids and massesMeasurement
  49. Perimeters of polygonsMeasurement
  50. Fluent adding and subtracting within 1000Addition & Subtraction
  51. Multiplying by TensMultiplication & Division
  52. Written MultiplicationMultiplication & Division
  53. Multiply & Add ProblemsMultiplication & Division
  54. Negative NumbersNumber Representation & Place Value
  55. Place value of each digitNumber Representation & Place Value
  56. Adding and subtracting (age 8+)Addition & Subtraction
  57. Two-step addition and subtraction problemsAddition & Subtraction
  58. Mental multiplication and divisionMultiplication & Division
  59. 1000 More or LessNumber Representation & Place Value
  60. Numbers to 10,000Number Representation & Place Value
  61. Comparing Large NumbersNumber Representation & Place Value
  62. Roman numerals to 100Number Representation & Place Value
  63. Rounding to 10, 100, 1000Number Representation & Place Value
  64. Two-Step EquationsAddition & Subtraction
  65. Place Value Problem-SolvingNumber Representation & Place Value
  66. Scaled picture graphs and bar graphsData & Statistics
  67. Bar charts and time graphsData & Statistics
  68. Choosing mathematical toolsMathematical Thinking
  69. Generalising from repeated reasoningMathematical Thinking
  70. Mathematical PrecisionMathematical Thinking
  71. Moving between diagrams and equations with fractionsMathematical Thinking
  72. Using Mathematical StructureMathematical Thinking
  73. Measuring to the nearest half and quarter inchMeasurement
  74. Justifying mathematical reasoning (age 8+)Mathematical Thinking
  75. Modelling with multiplication and fractionsMathematical Thinking
  76. Multi-Step Problem Solving (age 8+)Mathematical Thinking

Science

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

English

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

Geography

  1. Reading Maps: Symbols and GridsMaps & Globes
  2. Countries of Europe and the AmericasPlaces & 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. How Groups Make DecisionsCitizenship in Action
  2. Incentives and ChoicesEconomics
  3. Taking Action on Community ProblemsCitizenship in Action
  4. Laws and How They ChangeGovernment
  5. Levels and Branches of GovernmentGovernment

Languages

  1. Grammar Patterns Across LanguagesLanguage Learning
  2. Writing in a New LanguageLanguage Learning
  3. Writing Systems: Sound, Syllable and SymbolTexts, Media & Translation
  4. Sound and Spelling in a New LanguageSounds & Conversation
  5. Cognates and False FriendsLanguage Learning

Computing

  1. Networks and the InternetComputing Fundamentals
  2. Programming with Loops and VariablesComputing Fundamentals
  3. Searching and Evaluating OnlineComputing Fundamentals
  4. Typing Without Looking at the KeysDigital Literacy

History

  1. Britain after 1066Britain Through Time
  2. Understanding People in Their Own TimeHistorical Thinking
  3. Questioning historical sourcesHistorical Thinking
  4. Checking sources against each otherHistorical Thinking

Learning to Learn

  1. Describing Rules & PatternsLearning to Learn
  2. Transferring SkillsLearning to Learn
  3. Understanding WhyLearning to Learn
  4. Analysing your own errorsLearning to Learn

Arts & Music

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

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

Personal & Social Development

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