BC Core Competency Comments: Communicating, K-3
Communicating is how a student listens, contributes and shares ideas with a purpose: talking in a sharing circle or discussion, gathering and presenting information, and explaining what they did and learned to others.
Below are 13 sample sentences for K-Grade 3: two strengths 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 173 communicating 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
- At show and share, [Name] tells the class about [his/her/their] item in an organized way, with a beginning, a middle and an end.
- When [Name] presents to the class, the ideas are well organized, engaging and pitched just right for the listeners.
Next step
- A next step is for [Name] to help a reading buddy retell a favourite story using the words first, next and last.
Proficient P
Strengths
- [Name] usually retells home reading stories in order, naming the characters and the main events.
- After a learning activity, [Name] can usually explain the steps taken and name one new thing learned along the way.
Next step
- [Name] could draw a quick three-box plan before show and share so [his/her/their] talk has a beginning, a middle and an end.
Developing D
Strengths
- With prompting, [Name] retells part of a home reading story, naming a character and an event.
- [Name] can find key information in a familiar text or picture with support and share it with a classmate.
Next step
- Before show and share, [Name] could rehearse with a partner using three picture cues to guide [his/her/their] talk.
Emerging E
Strengths
- With a visual prompt, [Name] is beginning to retell a home reading story by pointing to the pictures in order.
- When sharing, [Name] is beginning to stay on one topic for a sentence or two with gentle guidance.
Next step
- A picture card of an ear and a mouth on [his/her/their] table will help [Name] remember when to listen and when to talk.
Support at home
- When reading together, ask [Name] to retell the story or share the most important fact in [his/her/their] own words.
How to write communicating comments for K-Grade 3
- Use show and share or sharing circle as evidence: did the child speak in a full sentence, stay on topic, or answer a classmate's question? Name the moment rather than calling the child chatty or quiet.
- Listening counts as much as talking at this age. Mention whether the child can retell what a partner said after a turn-and-talk, or waits for the talking piece before speaking.
- For a next step, suggest one sentence starter the child can practise, such as 'I noticed...' or 'My favourite part was...', and a home version families can use at dinner.
Watch out: Avoid equating Communicating with how much a student talks. A quiet student who listens closely, asks one clear question or writes a well-organized explanation is communicating; describe that evidence instead.
The proficiency scale is used for learning standards; here its four names only label levels of written feedback on a Core Competency facet. Extending-level wording describes depth, independence and new situations; Proficient, regular use in familiar ones; Developing, parts of the facet with support; Emerging, first steps with guidance. Add the evidence instead of restating a level, so the comment never reads as a grade.
What Communicating covers
In these comments, communicating covers these behaviours:
- connects and engages with others by listening and contributing
- focuses on intent and purpose when sharing ideas
- acquires, interprets and presents information
- explains and reflects on experiences and accomplishments
More British Columbia comments
- Communicating, Grades 4-9
- Collaborating, K-Grade 3
- Creative Thinking, K-Grade 3
- Critical and Reflective Thinking, K-Grade 3
- Personal Awareness and Responsibility, K-Grade 3
- Positive Personal and Cultural Identity, K-Grade 3
- Social Awareness and Responsibility, K-Grade 3
- Opening and closing sentences
- All British Columbia skills and grade bands
- For the same report: BC Report Card Comments by Subject, K-9
- Build a comment with the comment picker
How these sentences were made, and what has been checked: About these comments.