Science Report Comments for Cambridge Stages 7-9
Science covers biology, chemistry, physics and Earth and space, Thinking and Working Scientifically (models, planning and carrying out enquiries safely, measuring, recording, analysing results and drawing conclusions) and Science in Context: how science is used in everyday life and how scientific ideas develop.
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 science 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
- [Name] chooses suitable scales and plots data accurately on line graphs or scatter graphs, adding a line to show the overall trend where appropriate.
- In science, [Name] spots patterns in results, explains what they show and links them to ideas from other topics.
Next step
- Explaining how evidence from fossils, rocks and earthquakes supports the theory of plate tectonics would extend [Name]'s Earth science.
Secure S
Strengths
- [Name] plots graphs accurately with labelled axes and describes the main trend in [his/her/their] data.
- Looking at results, [Name] usually describes what they show and can say whether the prediction was correct.
Next step
- Choosing the right graph for the data, such as a scatter graph for two measured variables, then explaining the choice is a useful next step for [Name].
Developing D
Strengths
- With practice, [Name] plots points on a graph in science and is developing the skill of choosing suitable scales.
- When talking about results, [Name] sometimes spots a simple pattern and is developing the habit of using the data to explain it.
Next step
- Reading a labelled diagram of the greenhouse effect will help [Name] explain how carbon dioxide affects the climate.
Beginning B
Strengths
- Once the axes are drawn and labelled for [him/her/them], [Name] is beginning to plot points on a science graph.
- [Name] is beginning to notice simple differences in science results when an adult points to the important parts of a table or picture.
Next step
- Drawing arrows between pictures of plants and animals, with an adult, will help [Name] begin to build simple food webs.
Support at home
- Noticing your shadows outside at different times of day and talking about how they change is a free and simple science activity.
How to write science comments for Stages 7-9
- In Stages 7-9, describe how the student uses models, such as the particle model or a cell diagram, to explain what they see. A target such as using the right scientific word in each explanation is clear.
- Comment on analysis and evaluation: spotting an anomalous result, judging how far results can be trusted or suggesting an improvement to the method. These skills carry across biology, chemistry and physics.
- Science in Context, such as how a scientific idea has changed or how science helps protect the environment, gives families an easy way to talk about science at home.
Watch out: Avoid comments that only list the topics taught. Describe a skill or idea the student shows, such as using results to support a conclusion, so the comment works whichever topic came most recently.
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 Science covers
Strands and skills covered for science:
- Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Earth and Space: knowledge and understanding of the topics taught
- Thinking and Working Scientifically: models and representations
- Thinking and Working Scientifically: planning and carrying out scientific enquiries safely, measuring and recording
- Thinking and Working Scientifically: analysing results, drawing conclusions and evaluating enquiries
- Science in Context: how science is used in everyday life and the wider world, and how scientific ideas develop
More Cambridge Primary and Lower Secondary comments
- English, Stages 7-9
- English as a Second Language, Stages 7-9
- Mathematics, Stages 7-9
- Science, Stages 1-3
- Science, Stages 4-6
- 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.
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