Independent Work Learning Skills Comments, Grades 4-8 (Ontario)
Independent Work is how well a student keeps going without an adult beside them: following instructions with minimal supervision, using class time to get work done, and checking and adjusting their own plan.
Below are 13 sample sentences for Grades 4-8: two strengths and one next step for each of the 4 comment levels (Excellent / Good / Satisfactory / Needs Improvement), plus a tip for families. They are a small selection from the 181 independent work sentences in the full pack. Copy one, then add a detail only you know about the student.
Jump to: Excellent · Good · Satisfactory · Needs Improvement · Writing tips
Fills in the name and pronouns on this page. Nothing is sent anywhere.
Excellent E
Strengths
- In [his/her/their] agenda, [Name] records goals for the week and independently checks them off as tasks are completed.
- [Name] independently checks spoken or written instructions and follows each step accurately, asking for clarification when needed.
Next step
- [Name] could take on an independent study project with a self-made timeline and present [his/her/their] progress at set checkpoints.
Good G
Strengths
- With multi-part assignments, [Name] often completes each section independently, checking in with the teacher at key points.
- [Name] sets a goal for most work periods and usually checks at the end whether it has been reached.
Next step
- Setting a personal timer for each part of a multi-step assignment would help [Name] pace [his/her/their] work across the full class period.
Satisfactory S
Strengths
- On multi-part assignments, [Name] sometimes completes every section and benefits from checking off each one as the work progresses.
- [Name] occasionally finishes tasks within the time given, and a check-in partway through helps [him/her/them] complete the rest.
Next step
- Before submitting work, [Name] can highlight each part of the success criteria that [his/her/their] assignment meets.
Needs Improvement N
Strengths
- Multi-part assignments are easier for [Name] to complete when the parts are listed separately, and [his/her/their] focus improves with each part finished.
- With frequent check-ins, [Name] completes parts of [his/her/their] independent work and is growing more confident working alone for short stretches.
Next step
- [Name] would benefit from a short daily check-in to review the success criteria before starting independent work.
Support at home
- At home, you can praise the effort [Name] puts into working independently, naming exactly what [he/she/they] did well.
How to write independent work comments for Grades 4-8
- Mention self-checking: whether the student rereads multi-part instructions, checks work against the success criteria before submitting, and revises without being asked. This is the monitoring and revising part of the skill.
- For work periods, describe output, not just behaviour: how much of a typical independent block the student uses productively, and whether work started in class gets finished without being sent home.
- For a next step, hand over one piece of control, such as having the student write a short plan for an independent task and check it at set points, instead of adding more teacher check-ins.
Watch out: Avoid describing Independent Work only as 'needs help'. Say what the student can do alone first, then the point where they need support, so parents see the gap to close.
Match the verbs to the letter. Excellent comments use words like consistently, independently and without reminders; Good uses usually or with few reminders; Satisfactory uses sometimes or with reminders; Needs Improvement describes what the student does with adult support and what is beginning to emerge. Then add the evidence behind the rating rather than repeating the letter in words.
What Independent Work covers
Growing Success sample behaviours for independent work:
- independently monitors, assesses, and revises plans to complete tasks and meet goals
- uses class time appropriately to complete tasks
- follows instructions with minimal supervision
More Ontario comments
- Responsibility, Grades 4-8
- Organization, Grades 4-8
- Independent Work, Grades 1-3
- Collaboration, Grades 4-8
- Initiative, Grades 4-8
- Self-Regulation, Grades 4-8
- Opening and closing sentences
- All Ontario skills and grade bands
- Build a comment with the comment picker
How these sentences were made, and what has been checked: About these comments.