BC Report Comments: Critical and Reflective Thinking, Gr 4-9
Critical and Reflective Thinking is analyzing and judging: asking questions, using evidence and criteria to make decisions, and looking back on one's own learning to notice what worked and adjust strategies.
Below are 13 sample sentences for Grades 4-9: 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 critical and reflective thinking 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
- When analyzing a news story or online post, [Name] considers the author's purpose and looks for perspectives that are missing.
- [Name] independently checks [his/her/their] progress partway through a task and changes course when the first approach is not working.
Next step
- [He/She/They] could take self-assessment further by setting a goal at the start of each unit and gathering evidence of progress in a portfolio.
Proficient P
Strengths
- In presentations and written work, [Name] usually supports claims with facts gathered through research.
- [Name] usually notices when a strategy is not working and tries another approach with few reminders.
Next step
- A goal-setting card with weekly check-ins would help [Name] track progress and decide when to adjust [his/her/their] plan.
Developing D
Strengths
- With reminders, [Name] adds facts from [his/her/their] research to support the main points in presentations.
- [Name] sometimes notices when a strategy is not working and, with reminders, tries a different approach.
Next step
- Comparing a draft against a model and the class criteria would help [Name] make judgments about [his/her/their] own work.
Emerging E
Strengths
- Self-assessment is a new skill for [Name], who is beginning to describe one strength and one next step with help from the teacher.
- With modelling, [Name] is beginning to check [his/her/their] work by looking back over it once before handing it in.
Next step
- A short research organizer with one question and space for two facts would help [Name] begin inquiry work in small steps.
Support at home
- Playing guessing games such as twenty questions at home helps your child practise asking clear questions and using clues.
How to write critical and reflective thinking comments for Grades 4-9
- Cite work where the student used criteria: checking a draft against co-created criteria, judging the reliability of a source, or comparing two solutions. Say whether they explained their judgment with evidence.
- Reflection evidence can come from learning journals, exit slips or portfolio entries. Mention whether the student names a specific strategy and how they know it worked, rather than only saying they did well.
- For next steps, ask the student to adjust one strategy and track the result, such as trying a new note-taking method for a unit and comparing it with the last one.
Watch out: Avoid turning this facet into a comment on correct answers. Getting work right is not the same as critical thinking; describe the questions, evidence and reflection behind the work, including in projects that did not succeed.
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 Critical and Reflective Thinking covers
In these comments, critical and reflective thinking covers these behaviours:
- asks questions and analyzes information
- uses evidence and criteria to make judgments
- reflects on learning and thinking
- monitors progress and adjusts strategies
More British Columbia comments
- Communicating, Grades 4-9
- Collaborating, Grades 4-9
- Creative Thinking, Grades 4-9
- Critical and Reflective Thinking, K-Grade 3
- Personal Awareness and Responsibility, Grades 4-9
- Positive Personal and Cultural Identity, Grades 4-9
- Social Awareness and Responsibility, Grades 4-9
- Opening and closing sentences
- All British Columbia skills and grade bands
- For the same report: BC Report Card Comments by Subject, K-9
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How these sentences were made, and what has been checked: About these comments.