S3 Social Studies Report Comments (Scotland)

Social studies covers people, past events and societies (history), people, place and environment (geography) and people in society, economy and business (modern studies), with researching and evaluating sources, using evidence, maps and statistics, and explaining and justifying a view.

Below are 13 sample sentences for S3: two strengths and one next step for each of the 4 comment levels (Secure / Consolidating / Developing / Beginning), plus a tip for families. They are a small selection from the 288 social studies sentences in the full pack. Copy one, then add a detail only you know about the student.

Jump to: Secure · Consolidating · Developing · Beginning · Writing tips

Student name Pronouns

Fills in the name and pronouns on this page. Nothing is sent anywhere.

Secure S

Strengths

[Name] carries out independent research with purpose, setting a focused question, choosing reliable sources and writing up a well-argued conclusion.
Different points of view on an issue are set out fairly and in detail by [Name], who shows a thoughtful grasp of why people might disagree.

Next steps:

Asking who collected a set of statistics, when and how, before using them would deepen [Name]'s evaluation of evidence in more demanding tasks.

Consolidating C

Strengths

Research is carried out by [Name] with increasing independence, using mostly suitable sources and organising the findings into a well-ordered report.
[Name] recognises that people can see the same issue differently and can describe at least two points of view fairly.

Next steps:

Explaining how each chosen source will help answer an enquiry question will deepen [Name]'s planning for independent research.

Developing D

Strengths

Given a list of suggested sources, [Name] can gather relevant information for a longer research task and is learning to choose what matters most.
With some guidance, [Name] can describe two different points of view on an issue and is learning why people might disagree.

Next steps:

Writing one paragraph that judges why an event, environmental change or decision mattered, with a model to follow, will help [Name] move beyond description.

Beginning B

Strengths

Following a step-by-step plan, [Name] is beginning to gather information for a longer research task from the sources provided.
Examples from class are helping [Name] begin to understand that people can hold different views about the same issue.

Next steps:

Filling in a planning sheet with boxes for two possible conclusions and the evidence for each will help [Name] prepare a balanced longer answer.

Support at home

When an election or a major local development is in the news, talking about who makes decisions and who is affected supports learning about people and places.

How to write social studies comments for S3

In S3 the work often becomes more independent and demanding. Describe the quality of extended answers: does the pupil explain causes and consequences with detailed examples, or list points? Target one developed explanation per point.
Comment on how the pupil weighs evidence and reaches a judgement, for example on how far a factor caused an event or whether a decision was fair. A balanced conclusion backed by evidence is a clear S3 next step.
If the pupil studies history, geography and modern studies as separate subjects, make clear which one the comment refers to, or describe skills that apply across all three, such as interpreting statistics or evaluating sources.

Watch out: Avoid comments that only list the topics covered. Topics vary between schools, so describe a skill the pupil shows, such as using evidence to support a view, and a next step that works in the next unit too.

The four levels describe how secure, accurate and independent the learning is in what has been taught, never a CfE level. Secure suits detailed, accurate work applied to unfamiliar tasks; Consolidating suits a sound grasp with occasional guidance; Developing suits sometimes, or with a model or worked example; Beginning names what is starting to show and the support that helps. Show the level through the work rather than writing the level word.

What Social Studies covers

In these comments, social studies covers these behaviours:

people, past events and societies (history): chronology, causes and consequences, sources and interpretations, including Scottish history
people, place and environment (geography): physical and human processes, maps and fieldwork, sustainability and climate change
people in society, economy and business (modern studies): democracy, rights, the Scottish and UK parliaments, local and global issues
researches, evaluates sources and presents findings
explains, justifies and debates a view with evidence

More Scottish secondary subjects comments

How these sentences were made, and what has been checked: About these comments.