Math challenge activities are an extension of what 8th graders are learning in class. An easy way to give students a choice in their learning is to provide them with a choice menu relating to the subject they are learning. A choice menu is a board of 9 to 16 squares that each have a different activity in them. The activities can range from solving related word problems to researching a famous mathematician to creating a slide show to teach a fellow classmate the math lesson.
Reading challenge activities for 8th graders can vary based on interest and what the student is learning in class. A versatile way to challenge 8th grade students is to have them write a different ending for a story they have read in class. This activity requires the student to use higher order thinking skills to create an alternate ending to a familiar title. This activity can range from as simple as writing a paragraph to the student writing a whole chapter to end the book.
Writing challenge activities are often related to what the 8th grade students are doing in reading. Writing a theater script is an engaging way for students to challenge themselves in writing. Students take a familiar story, usually a story from class or a child's story book, and turn it in to a script that can be read aloud. Students reading the script can use dramatic voices and even dress up in costumes or create a set.
Many school programs have cut fine arts programs from their curriculum because of budget restrictions. An exciting challenge for 8th grade students is to create a piece of art that is related to a subject they are studying at school. Some examples of projects that a student can complete are choreographing an interpretive dance, composing a piece of music, painting a portrait of a famous historical figure or sculpting a piece of work in a similar style of a master artist.