8th Grade Math Review with More than Just A Worksheet

My hot take on test prep? We are all going to do the best we can with the time we have! I usually have minimal time to prepare for our state test because holy moly, we have so much content to teach! And I can admit, I do not do the best job with pacing. I will stay on a topic far longer than I need to. But with this, I do know which topics will show up on the test the most so I try my best to spend extra time on those units. I spiral review all year long but around the middle of March, I start to kick it up a notch!

In the past, I have just printed out a super thick test prep packet (you know what I’m talking about!) for each student and assigned it as homework. Well, you know how that ends. Many students lose the packets and others don’t even attempt to do it.

Here is a tip from a fellow teacher: “My number one tip about test prep season is to make it engaging with fun activities to review. Not boring practice sheets that are 10 pages long.”

And I could not agree more!

So what do I do instead? Make it as fun and light as possible!

Here are the main components:

• Provide a Realistic Schedule
• Make it Meaningful
• Encourage students to use reference sheets
• Practice Brain Dumps
• No Mandatory Homework
• Consider Differentiation

1. Provide a Realistic Schedule

I love providing students with a schedule of what I expect them to complete each week! We start with the test date and then plan the weeks leading up to it. Students seem to appreciate having this structure!

2. Make it Meaningful

As math teachers, we understand how precious time is! As a result, we must make sure anything we do is moving the needle forward. So we must utilize varied question types and problem-solving approaches when it comes to test prep. The state test will have a mix of multiple-choice and open-ended questions so we must make sure our review reflects that.

Since we are working with time constraints, I typically allocate about 15 minutes per day for test review. This may be every day, every other day, or just a couple of times per week. It just depends on how behind I am with pacing.

3. Encourage students to use Reference Sheets

Reference sheets are great because they summarize everything from the year into nice little sheets! Math reference sheets allow students to see multiple concepts at once! I often allow students to use them or their guided notes on tests throughout the year.

4. Practice Brain Dumps

Give each student a piece of blank paper. Have them fold the paper so that they will have 9 sections. Set a timer. Have them practice brain-dumping all of the information they did not remember from the reference sheets. I like to do this at least 3 times leading up to the test. The goal is for students to be able to have their own DIY reference sheet during the test. This is only a simulation, so it is important to remind students that they can’t actually make the brain dump until their testing proctor says they may begin their test.

5. No Mandatory Homework

I am not a fan of mandatory homework but I do believe in suggested homework. Some students (and parents) want to have as many opportunities to prepare for the test as possible, so I provide them this opportunity!

6. Consider Differentiation

The best (and easiest) way to differentiate is by having students track their test scores all year long using a tracker like this one in Google Sheets. However, if you have not had them do that (like I hadn’t) you can have them create their own by plugging in their grades from the school year. Students should focus their review efforts on any standards that they did not previously show mastery of. If they did not show mastery, there needs to be some reteaching. But who has time for that? The easiest way to reteach is through YouTube videos or my favorite, “EdPuzzle”. You can just search for videos related to the standard and link them to the Google Sheet! After that, students can complete independent practice in either IXL or Quizizz.

Introducing Our Interactive Around the World Review Activity

This 8th Grade Math Math Review Worksheet Bundle is a complete review unit designed to help your students prepare for VA SOL testing at the end of the school year! It features some common core standards but mainly focuses on all Math 8 VA SOL Standards of Learning. Incorporate this 8th grade math review into your lesson plans with only 15 minutes per day as independent work, warm-ups, or use in small groups. The complete worksheets that are included in the prep packet would also make great homework assignments.

These 8th grade math worksheets are a great way to ensure your middle school students are prepared for high school!

What’s Included

• Math Reference/Cheat Sheets as Printable Worksheets
• Around The World 8th Grade Math Review Worksheet
• Interactive Map of Questions
• Editable Test Prep Schedule
• Answer Keys

 

⭐Math Reference/Cheat Sheets⭐

• With our Math 8 reference sheets, your students will have a comprehensive guide to all the key math concepts covered in 8th-grade math.
• The sheets are organized by topic and include definitions, formulas, and examples, making them a valuable resource for both in-class learning and homework assignments.
  • Full-Page Option
  • Full-Page Option with Blanks
  • Bookmark Size

 

⭐Around The World Math Review ⭐

• Your 8th Grade students will embark on a virtual journey around the world while reviewing their math skills! This innovative activity combines math practice with an exciting global adventure that will engage and educate students. Available as a digital and printable resource!
  • Virtual Map with 40 SOL Math 8 Review Questions
  • Recording Sheet (Make enough printed copies for each student.)
  • Printable Review Packet
  • Fun Facts about Each Country
  • Editable Test Prep Schedule (Edit to fit your students’ needs)

Skills Included:

Math 8 Standards of Learning

• Number Sense including square roots, rational and irrational numbers
• Proportions including word problems
• Expressions including order of operations
• Pythagorean Theorem and Composite Figures
• Probability and Statistics
• Functions including Slope of a Line
• Equations
• Inequalities
• Geometry
• Measurement

If you want to save time and engage students this test prep season, this 8th grade math test prep is for YOU!

This is for personal use only.​

I also have test prep bundles for 6th and 7th grade too!

Implementing the Interactive Around the World Activity in Your Classroom

You can incorporate the Around the World activity in just 15 minutes per day to work on roughly 2 questions. Here is a basic outline that repeats. Day 1: Work on 2-4 questions from one of the locations. Day 2: I don’t grade the questions but I do walk around to confirm that students have shown work and answered the questions. We then go over the questions either as a whole class or in small groups. I have students keep track of their incorrect and correct answers.

Tips for Maximizing Student Engagement and Participation

I am a fan of rewarding students, so to maximize engagement I have a big bag of Jolly Ranchers ready to go for students who participate as we go over the problems. In addition, if students get all the questions correct by the due date, they will earn a ticket. The tickets can be used to purchase items from our class ticket store.

If time allows, I like to have a fun Friday as we get closer to the test. On this day, I’ll play a review game that consists of questions similar to the most missed questions from the sets of questions.

Check out what other teachers are saying about the 8th Grade Math Review Worksheet Bundle:

Conclusion