BC Mathematics Report Card Comments, Grades 4-9
Mathematics covers number, patterns and relations, shape and space, data and probability, and financial literacy, together with the curricular competencies of reasoning and analyzing, understanding and solving, communicating and representing, and connecting and reflecting.
Below are 9 sample sentences for Grades 4-9: one strength and one next step for each of the 4 comment levels (Extending / Proficient / Developing / Emerging), plus a tip for families. They are a small selection from the 144 mathematics sentences in the full pack. Copy one, then add a detail only you know about the student.
Jump to: Extending · Proficient · Developing · Emerging · Writing tips
Fills in the name and pronouns on this page. Nothing is sent anywhere.
Extending X
Strengths
- Sketching a diagram first, [Name] visualizes multi-step math problems about area, perimeter or angles and explains how the parts of the solution connect.Grades 4-7
Next step
- A further step is to design [his/her/their] own probability experiment, predict the results using fractions and explain any gap between predicted and actual outcomes.Grades 4-7
Proficient P
Strengths
- Using algebra tiles, diagrams and symbols, [Name] models algebra problems and moves smoothly from a concrete model to a written solution.Grades 8-9
Next step
- Moving on to polynomials, [Name] can use algebra tiles to check each simplification before working with symbols alone.Grades 8-9
Developing D
Strengths
- Looking at a graph or table, [Name] can find single values and is working on describing the overall trend the data shows.
Next step
- Using one strategy at a time, such as breaking numbers into easier parts or using friendly numbers, will help [Name] calculate mentally and choose an efficient approach.
Emerging E
Strengths
- When a word problem is read aloud and broken into parts, [Name] is beginning to choose an operation and complete the first step of the math.Grades 4-7
Next step
- Moving forward, [Name] will practise telling time on an analog clock in five-minute steps, using a clock with movable hands.Grades 4-7
Support at home
- Asking your child to estimate first, such as how long a trip will take or how many apples fit in a bag, builds a feel for whether math answers are reasonable.
How to write mathematics comments for Grades 4-9
- Separate fact fluency from problem solving. A student may know multiplication facts yet choose a slow method for division, or reason well about a problem but make calculation slips, so name both and one model or check to try.
- Communicating counts: say whether the student shows their thinking with a diagram, a table or words, and whether they check if an answer makes sense, for example by estimating first.
- In Grades 8-9, name the topic and the competency together, such as solving two-step equations and checking each step, or representing a linear relation with a table, a graph and an equation, and connecting the three.
Watch out: Avoid describing math only through speed or timed facts. Reasoning, representing and explaining are curricular competencies in their own right, so a student who solves slowly but explains clearly has a real strength to name.
The Ministry's guidelines describe Emerging as an initial understanding of the concepts and competencies, Developing as partial, Proficient as complete and Extending as sophisticated. Proficient is the goal and does not mean perfect; Extending is about depth and complexity, not extra work or work from a higher grade. Here the four names only choose the wording: report the indicator itself in your reporting tool, and let the comment describe the learning behind it.
What Mathematics covers
Big ideas and curricular competencies for mathematics:
- Number: number concepts and place value, fractions and decimals (percents, integers and rational numbers in later grades), and fluency with facts and operations
- Patterns and relations: patterns, equations, expressions and, in Grades 8-9, linear relations and polynomials
- Shape and space: measurement, time, geometry, area and volume, and spatial reasoning
- Data and probability: collecting, displaying and interpreting data, and chance
- Financial literacy: money and, in later grades, budgets, saving and planned purchases
- Curricular competencies: reasoning and analyzing, understanding and solving, communicating and representing, connecting and reflecting
More British Columbia subjects comments
- English Language Arts, Grades 4-9
- Mathematics, K-Grade 3
- Science, Grades 4-9
- Social Studies, Grades 4-9
- Applied Design, Skills, and Technologies, Grades 4-9
- Arts Education, Grades 4-9
- Physical and Health Education, Grades 4-9
- Opening and closing sentences
- All British Columbia subjects skills and grade bands
- For the same report: BC Core Competencies Report Comments, K-9
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How these sentences were made, and what has been checked: About these comments.