ATL Research Skills Report Comments, Grades 3-5
Research skills cover asking questions and planning an inquiry, gathering and recording information, making sense of it, judging sources, sharing findings through media and using information ethically, including crediting sources and staying safe online.
Below are 13 sample sentences for Grades 3-5: two strengths and one next step for each of the 4 comment levels (Extending / Consolidating / Developing / Beginning), plus a tip for families. They are a small selection from the 180 research skills sentences in the full pack. Copy one, then add a detail only you know about the student.
Jump to: Extending · Consolidating · Developing · Beginning · Writing tips
Fills in the name and pronouns on this page. Nothing is sent anywhere.
Extending E
Strengths
- When planning an independent inquiry, [Name] sets clear questions, a realistic timeline and checkpoints in [his/her/their] planner.
- [Name] creates purposeful media, such as posters, diagrams and short videos, that share ideas with a clear message.
Next step
- To deepen [his/her/their] inquiry, [Name] could interview an expert from our community and compare the answers with written sources.
Consolidating C
Strengths
- Using a planner, [Name] generally breaks an inquiry into steps and keeps track of what still needs to be done.
- In class discussions, [Name] often identifies how advertisements use words, images and sound to attract attention and influence an audience.
Next step
- To strengthen citing, [Name] can record the title and author of each source at the moment it is first used.
Developing D
Strengths
- A research planner helps [Name] break tasks into smaller steps, and with some support [he/she/they] can track what is finished.
- With guidance, [Name] talks about what an advertisement or poster is trying to make people think or do.
Next step
- Keeping a running list of sources while researching will help [Name] credit other people's work at the end of a project.
Beginning B
Strengths
- A planner with visual prompts helps [Name] see the steps of a research task, and [he/she/they] can follow the first step with support.
- [Name] is beginning to notice that pictures and videos share messages, and talks about them with support.
Next step
- [Name] will benefit from a short visual planner that breaks a research task into three clear steps.
Support at home
- Please talk with [Name] about your family rules for using devices safely, such as asking before sharing photos or visiting new websites.
How to write research skills comments for Grades 3-5
- Look at the research notes, not only the final slideshow. Comment on whether the child writes in their own words, sorts notes under inquiry questions and records where each fact came from.
- Comment on source judgement: can the child say why one website or book is more reliable than another? A source checklist is a concrete next step for Developing and Beginning learners.
- Ethical use belongs in this category. Mention crediting sources, asking permission before using someone's photo, or searching safely online, so families see digital citizenship as a skill to grow.
Watch out: Judging research by the polish of the final product rewards presentation, not inquiry. Comment on the question, the gathering and the thinking about sources, and save design remarks for communication.
At Extending, describe independent use and transfer: the child applies the skill in a new unit of inquiry or helps classmates use it. Consolidating fits usually or with few reminders; Developing fits sometimes or with guidance; Beginning names what the child does with adult support and what is emerging. Show the level through one observed example rather than repeating the label.
What Research Skills covers
ATL sub-skills for research skills:
- information-literacy skills (formulating and planning, data gathering and recording, synthesising and interpreting, evaluating and communicating)
- media-literacy skills (interacting with media to use and create ideas and information)
- ethical use of media and information (understanding and applying social and ethical technology)
More ATL skills comments
- Thinking Skills, Grades 3-5
- Communication Skills, Grades 3-5
- Social Skills, Grades 3-5
- Self-Management Skills, Grades 3-5
- Research Skills, K-Grade 2
- Opening and closing sentences
- All ATL skills skills and grade bands
- For the same report: Subject Report Comments for Cambridge Primary and Lower Secondary, Stages 1-9
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How these sentences were made, and what has been checked: About these comments.