Elementary Report Card Comments for Work Habits and SEL, Grades K-5
Many US elementary schools use standards-based report cards, and on many of them, from kindergarten to fifth grade, the work habits and social-emotional learning (SEL) section sits beside the academic marks. A common four-point scale is Exceeds (4), Meets (3), Approaching (2) and Not yet meeting expectations (1). The written comment explains what those marks look like in class; section names and comment limits vary by district.
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 work habits or social-emotional learning section of a US elementary report card.
Comments by skill and grade band
| Skill | Grades K-2 | Grades 3-5 |
|---|---|---|
| Effort and Participation | Effort and Participation, Grades K-2 | Effort and Participation, Grades 3-5 |
| Organization and Work Completion | Organization and Work Completion, Grades K-2 | Organization and Work Completion, Grades 3-5 |
| Focus and Independence | Focus and Independence, Grades K-2 | Focus and Independence, Grades 3-5 |
| Self-Management | Self-Management, Grades K-2 | Self-Management, Grades 3-5 |
| Relationship Skills | Relationship Skills, Grades K-2 | Relationship Skills, Grades 3-5 |
| Respect and Responsible Decisions | Respect and Responsible Decisions, Grades K-2 | Respect and Responsible Decisions, Grades 3-5 |
Also: opening and closing sentences for each report period.
The 4 comment levels
| Code | Level |
|---|---|
| E | Exceeds expectations |
| M | Meets expectations |
| A | Approaching expectations |
| N | Not yet meeting expectations |
At Exceeds (4), describe independence and leadership with words like consistently, without being asked, or models for classmates; at Meets (3), use steady words such as usually or with few reminders. At Approaching (2), say what happens sometimes and what support helps, and at Not yet meeting (1), describe what is emerging with adult support. Never just repeat the mark; describe the behavior behind it.
Tips for report card comments
- Pair each mark with one observed behavior and one setting, such as taking turns at the math center or writing homework in the planner on Mondays. Families can picture a specific moment far more easily than a general label like good listener.
- Describe behavior, not personality or diagnosis. Write starts independent reading within a minute of the timer rather than is a focused child, and leave IEP, 504 or special education labels out of the report card comment.
- End with one doable next step and, where useful, one free home routine, such as a backpack checklist by the door or a regular homework spot. Several strategies at once are hard for a family to follow through on.
This site shows 170 of the 1,234 sentences in the pack. Not affiliated with or endorsed by any state department of education, school district or social-emotional learning organization.
How these sentences were made, and what has been checked: About these comments.