NZ Key Competency Report Comments: Thinking, Y5-8
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 5-8: 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
Fills in the name and pronouns on this page. Nothing is sent anywhere.
Consistently C
Strengths
- [Name] reflects carefully on learning goals, identifying precise next steps and returning to them to see what has changed.
- With confidence, [Name] justifies [his/her/their] opinions with clear reasons and examples during class kōrero.
Next step
- [He/She/They] could take on a debating or student council role, where weighing up arguments will stretch [his/her/their] reasoning further.
Usually U
Strengths
- When researching on a device, [Name] mostly chooses search terms that lead to information that answers [his/her/their] question.
- With few reminders, [Name] stops to think about whether [his/her/their] chosen strategy is working.
Next step
- A next step is for [Name] to lead a group problem-solving task, asking each member to justify an idea.
Sometimes S
Strengths
- With some support, [Name] can compare two sources of information and point out one difference between them.
- With reminders, [Name] stops to think about a problem before starting, which helps [his/her/their] answers make more sense.
Next step
- During inquiry, [Name] would benefit from using a planning template to keep research questions focused.
Not yet N
Strengths
- With a graphic organiser, [Name] is beginning to sort research information into key ideas and details.
- [Name] is starting to say which parts of a task felt easy and which felt hard.
Next step
- Working alongside a tuakana in a small group will help [Name] see how classmates explain their reasoning.
Support at home
- Sharing your family stories or pepeha with [Name] and talking about where your whānau is from builds curiosity and connection.
How to write thinking comments for Years 5-8
- Draw on an inquiry project: whether the student forms their own research questions, checks who wrote a source and whether it can be trusted, and compares viewpoints before reaching a conclusion.
- Comment on how reasoning is explained to others, such as justifying a strategy in maths or answering audience questions after a presentation, since older students can show thinking aloud as well as on paper.
- Tie reflection next steps to something concrete, like a reflection journal entry after each inquiry stage or a review of a personal learning goal, so the student and whānau can check it together.
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 1-4
- Using Language, Symbols and Texts, Years 5-8
- Managing Self, Years 5-8
- Relating to Others, Years 5-8
- Participating and Contributing, Years 5-8
- 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.