Maths looking for ways of introducing "algebra" to Gr.8

We have frozen what we planned to continue with from last year, i.e. a Pythagoras lesson to the Grade 9’s because it comes very late in the year according to our work schedule. We have opted to look at other ways of introducing algebra to our Grade 8. We have looked at different readings as well as different approaches about how to introduce a variable to a Grade 8 student. We have looked at how we may integrate other subjects into helping us to develop this concept. We have been doing this for 2 weeks. Hence we are planning to come up with a complete lesson plan from next week, based on what we have learnt.