Initiative Learning Skills Comments, Grades 4-8 (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 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 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] stands up for fairness by respectfully raising concerns about how group work is shared or how others are treated.
- [Name] adapts quickly to new routines and unfamiliar activities, approaching each change with a calm and positive outlook.
Next step
- To extend [his/her/their] curiosity, [Name] could design an independent research project and present the findings to an appropriate audience.
Good G
Strengths
- [Name] generally takes on new assignments and unfamiliar projects with an open mind, asking questions to get started.
- [Name] adjusts well to most changes in routine, such as a new seating plan or schedule, and approaches them with a willing attitude.
Next step
- Going forward, [Name] might try a new format for [his/her/their] projects, such as a slideshow, comic or model, to stretch [his/her/their] creativity.
Satisfactory S
Strengths
- When a new assignment is broken into steps, [Name] gets started more easily and is developing a positive attitude toward unfamiliar work.
- [Name] is learning to approach changes in routine with a positive attitude and manages new situations well with some support.
Next step
- Next term, [Name] could set a goal to volunteer for one new role or job in each group project.
Needs Improvement N
Strengths
- With frequent encouragement, [Name] is beginning to see new assignments as manageable, especially when they are broken into smaller parts.
- [Name] responds well to a heads-up about changes in routine and, with adult help, is working toward handling new activities calmly.
Next step
- With a weekly check-in, [Name] can set one small goal for taking a risk, such as sharing an idea in a group.
Support at home
- Encourage [Name] to try new activities in the community, such as a free library program or a local park event.
How to write initiative comments for Grades 4-8
- Point to work that goes beyond the assignment: extra research on a topic, a creative format for a project, or following up a unit with independent reading. Say what the student chose to do and why it mattered.
- For older students, initiative includes leadership and advocacy: proposing an idea in class, joining a club or school event, or raising fairness concerns about group work respectfully. Name one example from this term.
- At S or N, the next step can be a low-risk entry point, such as asking one question per lesson or choosing a topic of interest for a project, rather than a request to show more initiative.
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 4-8
- Organization, Grades 4-8
- Independent Work, Grades 4-8
- Collaboration, Grades 4-8
- Initiative, Grades 1-3
- 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.