Eighth grade grammar is full of lessons related to higher order verb usage, vocabulary building and how to clearly combine ideas. Some 8th grade grammar lessons will be familiar to students while others will be totally new. As students complete their final year of middle school, they'll review and expand upon many previously learned grammar skills while also picking up new information to properly prepare for moving on to high school.
Properly Punctuate Pauses and Omissions
In addition to reviewing correct comma usage, 8th grade grammar also covers the use of ellipses and dashes.
- properly apply comma rules to indicate a pause or break
- cover when and how to use ellipses to indicate a pause or omission of text
- explore dashes as a form of punctuation to indicate a break or pause
Correctly Use Verbs Based on Voice and Mood
With regards to verbs, 8th grade grammar goes beyond the basics to focus on verb voice and mood.
- properly use verbs in passive and active voice; practice changing from passive to active voice
- learn what verb mood means in the context of grammar
- correctly form and use verbs in conditional and subjunctive mood
- accurately form and use verbs in indicative, imperative and interrogative moods
Recognize and Use Verbals in Sentences
Eighth grade grammar covers verbals, including gerunds, participles and infinitives.
- learn what verbals and verbal phrases are, as well as how they function within certain sentences
- recognize gerund examples; properly form and use gerund phrases
- identify participle examples; properly structure and use participial phrases
- recognize examples of infinitive verbs; correctly create and use infinitive phrases
- review using activities like gerund games or a misplaced and dangling modifiers worksheet
Determine Word Meanings via Context Clues
Eighth graders need to perfect their ability to discern what words mean by the context in which they appear.
- explore examples of context cues to develop the ability to decipher meanings based on context
- complete vocabulary context cues activities to practice figuring out the meaning of middle school vocabulary words
- verify the meaning of unfamiliar words by checking a dictionary to see if you were able to figure it out via context
Identify Word Roots and Affixes
The last year of middle school is when students need to master the use of affixes and root words appropriate for their grade level.
- learn how to recognize various types of affixes; explore a variety of prefix examples and suffix examples
- discover Greek and Latin root words
- review examples of root words and learn the difference between base words and root words
- use practice worksheets to reinforce skills with roots, base words, prefixes, and suffixes
Differentiate Between Connotation and Denotation
Eighth graders will improve their language skills by mastering the difference between connotative and denotative meanings.
- explain the difference between connotative and denotative meaning
- explore positive and negative connotations based on how words are used in sentences
- discover examples of denotative meanings and connotative meanings
- practice with connotative words exercises and review examples of connotation in literature
Recognize and Interpret Figurative Language
During the eighth grade year, students should develop skills with regards to figurative language. This requires the ability to interpret beyond literal word meanings.
- learn how to use different kinds of figurative language, including various figures of speech
- provide examples of figurative language (idioms, puns, verbal irony, idioms, and more) for students to review and interpret
- use this literary terms worksheet to practice (It incorporates examples of figurative language with other literary terms students have already studied.)
Preparing for the Transition to High School
Common Core grammar lessons for 8th graders are all about making sure students have mastered middle school English and are fully prepared to transition to high school. Consider working in some lessons on personal goal examples for student success to further prepare learners for the next level.