English Report Comments for Cambridge Stages 7-9
English covers reading (phonics and word structure in the early stages, fluency, vocabulary, understanding and interpreting fiction, poetry, playscripts and non-fiction, and how writers use language and structure), writing for different purposes and audiences with spelling, grammar and punctuation, and speaking and listening, including group discussion and performance.
Below are 13 sample sentences for Stages 7-9: two strengths and one next step for each of the 4 comment levels (Extending / Secure / Developing / Beginning), plus a tip for families. They are a small selection from the 440 English sentences in the full pack. Copy one, then add a detail only you know about the student.
Jump to: Extending · Secure · Developing · Beginning · Writing tips
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Extending E
Strengths
- Across prose, poetry and drama, [Name] explains how the usual features of each form, such as verses or stage directions, shape the reader's experience.
- Writing for a new audience or purpose, [Name] adapts style and layout without needing a model to follow.
Next step
- Preparing a short spoken explanation of a challenging poem, covering the pictures created by its words, how it is organised and the poet's purpose, would extend [Name]'s analysis.
Secure S
Strengths
- [Name] uses rhetorical devices, such as questions and repetition, to make persuasive writing more convincing.
- For familiar writing tasks, [Name] usually chooses a suitable form and language, keeping the purpose and reader in mind.
Next step
- Explaining how a poet uses line breaks and the shape of each verse to guide the reader would extend [Name]'s analysis of poetry.
Developing D
Strengths
- Text structure is a current focus for [Name], who is learning to say why a writer opens or ends a text in a particular way.
- In English, [Name] sometimes notices interesting words a writer has chosen and, when prompted, says what they make the reader imagine.
Next step
- Planning a quick check for bias with three prompts about who wrote a text, why it was written and which viewpoint is missing will help [Name] read non-fiction critically.
Beginning B
Strengths
- A list of key words to describe effects is helping [Name] take first steps in commenting on how writers use language.
- Supported by a model and an adult, [Name] is beginning to shape a short piece of writing for a clear purpose and reader.
Next step
- Noting two key words while listening to a short talk, with adult support, will help [Name] remember the main points.
Support at home
- Talking at mealtimes about the day, and listening to each other in turn, helps your child practise speaking clearly and listening well.
How to write English comments for Stages 7-9
- In Stages 7-9, separate analysis from retrieval. A student may find information well but find it harder to explain how a writer uses language or structure for effect, so say where the strength lies and target the other.
- Make writing targets precise: varying sentence structures for effect, choosing the right register, or planning an argument that answers the other side. 'Write in more depth' gives a student nothing to act on.
- Comment on formal presentations or drama where relevant, and on how the student evaluates the talk of others. A next step such as preparing a counter-argument before a discussion is concrete.
Watch out: Avoid reducing the comment to spelling and handwriting. Pair any accuracy target with a reading, writing or speaking strength, such as explaining a character's feelings with evidence from the text.
The four levels describe how independently and securely the student shows what has been taught, never a grade or a test result. Extending suits accurate, independent work applied to unfamiliar tasks, with reasons explained; Secure suits accurate work in familiar tasks with occasional support; Developing suits learning shown sometimes, or with a model, word bank or worked example; Beginning names what is starting to show and the support that helps. Show the level through the work rather than writing the level word.
What English covers
Strands and skills covered for English:
- Reading: word structure and phonics (Stages 1-3), fluency, vocabulary, understanding and interpreting fiction, poetry, playscripts and non-fiction, and how writers use language and structure
- Reading: appreciation and reflection, giving and justifying personal responses to texts from different times and cultures
- Writing: planning, drafting, editing and presenting texts for different purposes and audiences, with spelling, grammar and punctuation, structure and language choices
- Speaking and listening: making yourself understood, listening and responding, group work and discussion, performance, and reflecting on talk
More Cambridge Primary and Lower Secondary comments
- English, Stages 1-3
- English, Stages 4-6
- English as a Second Language, Stages 7-9
- Mathematics, Stages 7-9
- Science, Stages 7-9
- Global Perspectives, Stages 7-9
- Computing, Stages 7-9
- Art & Design, Stages 7-9
- Music, Stages 7-9
- Physical Education, Stages 7-9
- Opening and closing sentences
- All Cambridge Primary and Lower Secondary skills and grade bands
- For the same report: EAL / ESL Report Comments, Ages 5-18, ATL Skills Report Card Comments, Grades K-5 and ATL Skills and Learner Profile Report Comments, Ages 11-16
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How these sentences were made, and what has been checked: About these comments.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Cambridge University Press & Assessment or Cambridge International Education. "Cambridge" is used only to describe the curricula these comments are written for.