Speaking and Listening Report Card Comments, Grades 3-5
Speaking and listening covers joining partner, small-group and class discussions, following norms like taking turns, asking and answering questions, building on others' ideas, speaking clearly in complete sentences, and presenting or retelling with relevant details.
Below are 13 sample sentences for Grades 3-5: 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 speaking and listening 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
- Precise, subject-specific vocabulary appears naturally in [Name]'s speaking, such as "ecosystem" or "evidence," when explaining ideas in class.
- In small-group discussions, [Name] can disagree respectfully, giving a reason and listening carefully to the other side before responding.
Next step
- Trying a more formal speaking task, such as a short persuasive speech or a debate, would give [Name] a new way to use [his/her/their] speaking skills.
Meets the standard M
Strengths
- Subject vocabulary such as "habitat," "fraction" or "government" appears in [Name]'s explanations during class discussions.
- In group conversations, [Name] usually responds to classmates by agreeing or disagreeing politely and giving a reason.
Next step
- Jotting brief notes while classmates present would help [Name] ask sharper questions and summarize the key points afterward.
Approaching the standard A
Strengths
- With a word bank nearby, [Name] uses some subject vocabulary like "habitat" or "perimeter" when explaining ideas aloud in class.
- In discussions, [Name] is developing the habit of building on others' ideas, and a sentence frame helps [him/her/them] connect a comment to a classmate's.
Next step
- Practicing a presentation aloud with a partner, focusing on pace and volume, will help [Name] speak clearly to the whole class.
Beginning B
Strengths
- A word bank with pictures supports [Name] in starting to use subject words like "habitat" or "measure" when explaining ideas aloud.
- Speaking clearly to a group is a growing area for [Name], who can share a short idea when a teacher stands nearby and encourages [him/her/them].
Next step
- A simple listening guide with spaces for "topic" and "one fact" will help [Name] focus on the main point when classmates present.
Support at home
- Before a class presentation or show and tell, let your child practice aloud for the family and give one kind tip about volume or pace.
How to write speaking and listening comments for Grades 3-5
- Look at how the child builds on others in book clubs or group discussions: agreeing, disagreeing politely or adding evidence. Note whether the child invites quieter classmates into the conversation.
- For presentations and slideshows, comment on the speaking itself, such as volume, eye contact and pacing, and whether details stay on topic, rather than on how polished the slides look.
- A child who speaks less but adds thoughtful points can be described accurately. Set a measurable target, such as one comment per book club meeting, instead of a vague speak up more.
Watch out: Describing personality, such as shy or chatty, instead of skill. Families cannot act on a trait. Name the task, like sharing in a small group, and the support that helps, such as rehearsing with a partner first.
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 Speaking and Listening covers
In these comments, speaking and listening covers these behaviours:
- takes part in partner, small-group and class discussions, following discussion norms
- listens closely, asks and answers questions and builds on the ideas of others
- speaks clearly in complete sentences and uses new vocabulary
- presents, retells or reports on a topic with relevant details
More US standards-based K-5 comments
- Reading: Foundational Skills, Grades 3-5
- Reading: Comprehension, Grades 3-5
- Writing, Grades 3-5
- Speaking and Listening, Grades K-2
- Math: Number and Operations, Grades 3-5
- Math: Measurement and Geometry, Grades 3-5
- Science, Grades 3-5
- Social Studies, Grades 3-5
- Opening and closing sentences
- All US standards-based K-5 skills and grade bands
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How these sentences were made, and what has been checked: About these comments.