ATL Thinking Skills Report Comments, K-Grade 2
Thinking skills cover how a child analyses and evaluates ideas, comes up with new ones, transfers learning between subjects and units of inquiry, and reflects on how they learned and what they would change next time.
Below are 13 sample sentences for K-Grade 2: 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 184 thinking 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
- [Name] invents imaginative stories and games during play, confidently inviting friends to add their own ideas to the plan.
- Faced with an open-ended design challenge, [Name] tries unusual approaches with confidence and takes thoughtful creative risks.
Next step
- [Name] could take on the role of 'idea starter' at a play-based centre, suggesting a new way to use familiar materials.
Consolidating C
Strengths
- At play-based centres, [Name] regularly comes up with new ideas for building and pretend play and tries them out with friends.
- If a first design falls short, [Name] usually comes up with a fresh alternative and tests it.
Next step
- During play, [Name] can try changing one part of a familiar game or story to see what new ideas come from it.
Developing D
Strengths
- [Name] occasionally adds new ideas to play at centres and, with encouragement, tries building or drawing something different.
- With some support, [Name] is learning to think of more than one way to solve a problem or complete a task.
Next step
- [Name] can practise spotting letters and numbers around the classroom and at home to connect learning to daily life.
Beginning B
Strengths
- [Name] joins in pretend play and, with modelling, is beginning to add a new idea to the game.
- [Name] tries new ways of doing a task when an adult suggests an option and shows how it might work.
Next step
- Spotting numbers and letters on a walk around the school with an adult will help [Name] connect learning to the world.
Support at home
- You can encourage creative thinking by asking 'What else could this be used for?' about everyday objects such as a box or a spoon.
How to write thinking skills comments for K-Grade 2
- Look for thinking during play and talk: a child who explains why the block tower fell, or invents a new rule for a game, is analysing and creating. Describe that moment briefly.
- Reflection at this age is spoken more than written. Mention whether the child can say what helped them in the sharing circle, or point to a favourite piece of work and explain why.
- For transfer, name a simple link the child made, such as using counting words while building at centres or spotting phonics sounds in a picture book, so parents can encourage it at home.
Watch out: Writing 'is a great thinker' tells parents nothing. Name which part of thinking you saw (questioning, creating, transferring or reflecting) and the task where it happened, then set a next step in that same part.
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 Thinking Skills covers
ATL sub-skills for thinking skills:
- critical-thinking skills (analysing and evaluating issues and ideas)
- creative-thinking skills (generating novel ideas and considering new perspectives)
- transfer skills (using skills and knowledge in multiple contexts)
- reflection skills (reconsidering the process of learning)
More ATL skills comments
- Thinking Skills, Grades 3-5
- Communication Skills, K-Grade 2
- Social Skills, K-Grade 2
- Self-Management Skills, K-Grade 2
- 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.