NZ Key Competency Report Comments: Thinking, Y1-4
Thinking is how a child shows curiosity, asks questions, solves problems creatively and critically, makes sense of information, explains reasoning and reflects on their own learning. It shows up in maths talk, inquiry, reading groups and discovery time.
Below are 13 sample sentences for Years 1-4: two strengths and one next step for each of the 4 comment levels (Consistently / Usually / Sometimes / Not yet), plus a tip for families. They are a small selection from the 173 thinking sentences in the full pack. Copy one, then add a detail only you know about the student.
Jump to: Consistently · Usually · Sometimes · Not yet · Writing tips
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Consistently C
Strengths
- In reading groups, [Name] readily makes predictions and gives a reason from the pictures or words for each one.
- [Name] weighs up evidence carefully and can explain why one idea is more convincing than another.
Next step
- [He/She/They] could take on the job of "wonder keeper" at mat time, recording the class's questions to explore later.
Usually U
Strengths
- [Name] usually notices patterns in shapes and numbers and can say what comes next.
- [Name] often reflects on what went well in a task and can name one thing to improve next time.
Next step
- A next step for [Name] is to explain [his/her/their] thinking at mat time using the sentence starter "I think this because".
Sometimes S
Strengths
- With some support, [Name] can continue a simple pattern and say what rule it follows.
- Rather than stopping when the first strategy does not work, [Name] is learning to try another one.
Next step
- During discovery time, [Name] could be encouraged to test an idea, see what happens and then try one change.
Not yet N
Strengths
- With counters or blocks to hold, [Name] is beginning to work out small maths problems and show the teacher how.
- With frequent reminders, [Name] is learning to stop and think before starting a task.
Next step
- A tuakana from the buddy class could model how to test an idea during discovery time, with [Name] having a turn next.
Support at home
- When [Name] asks you a question, you could reply with "What do you think?" and listen to the reasoning before sharing your own ideas.
How to write thinking comments for Years 1-4
- Paraphrase the kind of question the child asks, such as an 'I wonder' question about a book in reading groups, so whānau can ask the same kind of question at home.
- Show reasoning through hands-on work: mention using blocks or counters to solve a maths problem, or explaining how a tower was built at discovery time, rather than calling the child a good thinker.
- Keep reflection simple at this age: can the child say what was tricky and what helped? A sentence starter such as 'Today I learned' makes a clear, manageable next step.
Watch out: Thinking comments can slide into achievement, such as how well a child reads or does maths. Describe curiosity, questioning and reasoning instead, and leave results to the literacy and maths part of the report.
Each label describes how often you see the behaviour. Consistently suits reliably, independently or without being asked; Usually suits regularly or with few reminders; Sometimes suits at times or with some support; Not yet suits is beginning to, together with the support that helps. Describe what the child actually does rather than repeating the rating, and keep Not yet comments warm and constructive.
What Thinking covers
In these comments, thinking covers these behaviours:
- is curious, asks questions and seeks out new ideas
- uses creative and critical thinking to solve problems
- makes sense of information and explains reasoning
- reflects on own learning and thinking
More New Zealand primary comments
- Thinking, Years 5-8
- Using Language, Symbols and Texts, Years 1-4
- Managing Self, Years 1-4
- Relating to Others, Years 1-4
- Participating and Contributing, Years 1-4
- Opening and closing sentences
- All New Zealand primary skills and grade bands
- Build a comment with the comment picker
How these sentences were made, and what has been checked: About these comments.