Initiative Learning Skills Comments, Grades 1-3 (Ontario)
Initiative is acting on curiosity without being asked: trying new tasks with a positive attitude, taking risks with ideas, looking for chances to learn more, and speaking up appropriately for fairness to self and others.
Below are 13 sample sentences for Grades 1-3: 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 172 initiative 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
- [Name] adds thoughtful questions to the class question board and eagerly looks for answers in books during reading time.
- Faced with an open-ended problem, [Name] thoughtfully generates several possible solutions before choosing one to test.
Next step
- As a next step, [Name] can help classmates find answers to questions on the class question board by using books from the library.
Good G
Strengths
- During read-alouds, [Name] often wonders aloud about the story and asks about new words.
- With a little encouragement, [Name] often shares original ideas with the class and is becoming more confident trying new approaches.
Next step
- A short "try the first step" reminder on [his/her/their] desk can help [Name] begin new tasks before asking for help.
Satisfactory S
Strengths
- When the class reads a picture book together, [Name] sometimes asks about the illustrations or predicts what might happen next.
- [Name] is learning that mistakes provide useful feedback and at times tries a different approach after an error.
Next step
- At the start of a new activity, [Name] can show the teacher the first step of [his/her/their] plan before beginning.
Needs Improvement N
Strengths
- When invited by the teacher, [Name] is beginning to share a question during story time.
- With adult support, [Name] is learning that mistakes are a normal part of learning and has started to try again after one.
Next step
- Holding a question card during story time can remind [Name] to share one question about the text or pictures.
Support at home
- You can invite [Name] to help plan a small family project, such as a new recipe or a weekend outing, and to suggest ideas of [his/her/their] own.
How to write initiative comments for Grades 1-3
- Look for questions and wonders: a child who asks why during a read-aloud, brings an object from home linked to a topic, or tries a new centre before being told. Quote one example.
- Risk-taking at this age is small and visible: trying a new word in writing, attempting a hard puzzle, or volunteering to answer when unsure. Praise the attempt itself, not only correct answers.
- For advocacy, keep it age-appropriate: telling an adult when someone is left out of a game, or asking for a turn politely. That is enough evidence for the 'rights of self and others' behaviour.
Watch out: Do not confuse Initiative with being talkative or outgoing. Quiet students show initiative too, by exploring a topic further or trying a harder option; describe those actions so the rating is fair.
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 Initiative covers
Growing Success sample behaviours for initiative:
- looks for and acts on new ideas and opportunities for learning
- demonstrates the capacity for innovation and a willingness to take risks
- demonstrates curiosity and interest in learning
- approaches new tasks with a positive attitude
- recognizes and advocates appropriately for the rights of self and others
More Ontario comments
- Responsibility, Grades 1-3
- Organization, Grades 1-3
- Independent Work, Grades 1-3
- Collaboration, Grades 1-3
- Initiative, Grades 4-8
- Self-Regulation, Grades 1-3
- 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.