Science Report Card Comments, Grades K-2
Science covers asking questions, observing carefully, planning simple investigations and fair tests, recording results in a science notebook, explaining ideas with evidence and science words, key life, earth and physical science ideas, and designing and testing solutions.
Below are 13 sample sentences for Grades K-2: two strengths and one next step for each of the 4 comment levels (Exceeds the standard / Meets the standard / Approaching the standard / Beginning), plus a tip for families. They are a small selection from the 161 science sentences in the full pack. Copy one, then add a detail only you know about the student.
Jump to: Exceeds the standard · Meets the standard · Approaching the standard · Beginning · Writing tips
Fills in the name and pronouns on this page. Nothing is sent anywhere.
Exceeds the standard E
Strengths
- In our study of plants and animals, [Name] explains what living things need to grow and survive and gives clear examples of each need.
- In science, [Name] notices patterns in what [he/she/they] can observe and uses them to make sensible predictions about what will happen next.
Next step
- A good challenge would be to build a ramp or bridge from classroom materials, test it, and explain one change that made it work better.
Meets the standard M
Strengths
- [Name] can tell that plants need light, water and air to grow, while animals need food, water, air and a suitable place to live.
- Most of the time, [Name] makes reasonable predictions in science and checks them against what actually happens.
Next step
- When building in science, [Name] should try testing a design and changing one part to make it hold more weight.
Approaching the standard A
Strengths
- With picture cards, [Name] can sort living and nonliving things and is learning to explain what all living things need.
- When explaining a science idea, [Name] sometimes uses new vocabulary and is learning to give a reason for [his/her/their] thinking.
Next step
- At the science center, [Name] can practice saying a prediction out loud before each test and then checking it.
Beginning B
Strengths
- Dropping objects into water at the science center, [Name] enjoys watching what sinks and, with a teacher alongside, is starting to say what happened.
- Using sentence frames, [Name] is beginning to share science ideas and repeat new vocabulary from our lessons.
Next step
- With adult support at the science center, [Name] can practice choosing whether an object will sink or float before testing it.
Support at home
- You can grow a bean or seed in a cup by a window and have your child draw how it changes every few days.
How to write science comments for Grades K-2
- Cite an observation made with the five senses or a labeled drawing, such as the parts of a plant. Name the unit topic, like weather or plants and animals, so families can follow up on a walk.
- Young scientists often show understanding through talk and play, such as predicting whether an object will sink or float. Comment on what the child said or did, since recording may still be pictures.
- Mention engineering moments, like building a tower that stands or a ramp for a toy car, and whether the child tested and changed the design. Families can repeat this with boxes and tape at home.
Watch out: Writing a science comment in a report period when science was not taught or marked. Where science and social studies run in rotation, leave the subject out and comment when the unit comes around.
At the top of the scale, describe accurate, independent work and how the child extends it, such as choosing harder books or explaining a strategy to a partner. For Meets, use steady words like usually or as taught in class; for Approaching, say what happens with reminders or a model; for Beginning, name what is emerging and the support in place. Describe the skill in action, not the mark.
What Science covers
In these comments, science covers these behaviours:
- asks questions and makes careful observations
- plans and carries out simple investigations and records data
- explains ideas using evidence and science vocabulary
- understands key ideas in life, earth and physical science units
- designs, builds and tests solutions to simple problems
More US standards-based K-5 comments
- Reading: Foundational Skills, Grades K-2
- Reading: Comprehension, Grades K-2
- Writing, Grades K-2
- Speaking and Listening, Grades K-2
- Math: Number and Operations, Grades K-2
- Math: Measurement and Geometry, Grades K-2
- Science, Grades 3-5
- Social Studies, Grades K-2
- Opening and closing sentences
- All US standards-based K-5 skills and grade bands
- Build a comment with the comment picker
How these sentences were made, and what has been checked: About these comments.