Ontario Report Card Comments by Subject, Grades 1-8
On the Ontario Elementary Provincial Report Card, each subject has its own Strengths/Next Steps for Improvement box, written by the subject teacher for parents and guardians. Grades 1-6 receive a letter grade and Grades 7-8 a percentage, both tied to four achievement levels from Level 4 down to Level 1 (Growing Success, 2010). Language and Mathematics each get one overall grade, and Grades 7-8 report History and Geography separately.
Each page below covers one skill for one grade band, with sample strengths and next steps at every level and tips for writing your own. These comments are written for the subject comments (strengths and next steps) on the Ontario Grades 1-8 provincial report card.
Comments by skill and grade band
| Skill | Grades 1-3 | Grades 4-6 | Grades 7-8 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Language | Language, Grades 1-3 | Language, Grades 4-6 | Language, Grades 7-8 |
| Mathematics | Mathematics, Grades 1-3 | Mathematics, Grades 4-6 | Mathematics, Grades 7-8 |
| Science and Technology | Science and Technology, Grades 1-3 | Science and Technology, Grades 4-6 | Science and Technology, Grades 7-8 |
| Social Studies | Social Studies, Grades 1-3 | Social Studies, Grades 4-6 | Not taught in these grades |
| History | Not taught in these grades | Not taught in these grades | History, Grades 7-8 |
| Geography | Not taught in these grades | Not taught in these grades | Geography, Grades 7-8 |
Also: opening and closing sentences for each report period.
The 4 comment levels
| Code | Level |
|---|---|
| A | Level 4 (A, 80-100%) |
| B | Level 3 (B, 70-79%) |
| C | Level 2 (C, 60-69%) |
| D | Level 1 (D, 50-59%) |
Level 4 (A, 80-100%) language is thorough, independent and applied in new situations; Level 3 (B, 70-79%) is considerable, clear and usually accurate; Level 2 (C, 60-69%) shows some effectiveness, often with a model or support; Level 1 (D, 50-59%) names what the student does with direct support and what is emerging. The grade is already printed, so describe the learning rather than restating the mark.
Tips for subject report card comments
- Write the strengths first, then the words 'Next steps:' followed by one or two complete sentences, each naming a single doable strategy, such as using a story map before writing. The label already says it, so do not repeat 'next step' inside the sentence.
- Name the strand or skill behind each strength, such as Number, Comprehension or the inquiry process, in plain words parents can follow. Paraphrase rather than copying curriculum or achievement chart wording, as Growing Success and ETFO's 2024 guidance both advise.
- Keep work habits out of the subject box: punctuality, effort and behaviour belong in the Learning Skills and Work Habits section. Two strengths from different strands and one specific next step usually say more than a list of every unit covered.
This site shows 181 of the 2,174 sentences in the pack. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the Ontario Ministry of Education or any Ontario school board. Growing Success and the Ontario curriculum are Ministry publications; subject and strand names are used for identification only.
How these sentences were made, and what has been checked: About these comments.