8th grade math will be fun but you will have to use imagination, perseverance, and thinking skills to be successful. University of Chicago Algebra is a wonderful textbook and you will find that taking notes will be extremely helpful.
You will need to have a scientific calculator, a ruler, a compass, a protractor, looseleaf notebook paper, and graph paper in order to succeed in this class. It goes without saying that you will also need a pencil and an eraser. Do not depend on your classmates to provide these materials for you, BRING YOUR OWN.