7th-8th Grade

What Your Middle Schooler Should Know

Skills and milestones for ages 12-14

Overview

These final middle school years prepare students for high school rigor. Students develop advanced analytical reading skills, write sophisticated arguments, and tackle pre-algebra and algebra. Independence and self-advocacy become essential.

Reading & Language Arts

  • Analyzes complex texts for multiple meanings
  • Evaluates effectiveness of arguments and rhetoric
  • Traces and evaluates development of central ideas
  • Analyzes how authors distinguish their position from others
  • Synthesizes information from multiple sources
  • Interprets figures of speech in context

Writing

  • Writes arguments with claims, counterclaims, and evidence
  • Produces clear, coherent writing for various audiences
  • Uses credible sources and cites properly
  • Writes narratives with complex plot structures
  • Demonstrates command of grammar and conventions

Math (7th Grade Focus)

  • Applies proportional relationships
  • Operates with rational numbers (all operations)
  • Uses properties to generate equivalent expressions
  • Solves multi-step real-world problems
  • Understands probability and statistics

Math (8th Grade / Pre-Algebra Focus)

  • Works with radicals and integer exponents
  • Understands linear equations and functions
  • Solves systems of linear equations
  • Understands the Pythagorean Theorem
  • Analyzes two-way data tables
  • Understands congruence and similarity

See Where Your Child Stands

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