Speaking and Listening Report Card Comments, Grades K-2
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 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 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
- During turn-and-talk, [Name] shares an idea and then asks [his/her/their] partner a question about the story, keeping the talk going on [his/her/their] own.
- [Name] picks up new vocabulary from read-alouds and lessons and uses it correctly in conversation, often explaining a word's meaning to others.
Next step
- [Name] is ready to retell longer stories and add how a character felt at each part, using new words from read-alouds.
Meets the standard M
Strengths
- [Name] answers questions about a read-aloud, such as who the characters are and where the story happens, often in complete sentences.
- [Name] speaks in complete sentences most of the time and uses a voice that classmates can hear when sharing ideas.
Next step
- Retelling stories with a five-finger retell (characters, setting, beginning, middle, end) would help [Name] add more details when speaking.
Approaching the standard A
Strengths
- Turn-and-talk time is going well for [Name] when a partner starts first, and [he/she/they] can then share a related idea with a little help.
- New vocabulary from lessons appears at times in [Name]'s speaking, and [he/she/they] can use a word correctly when a teacher models it first.
Next step
- Using a story map with pictures for the beginning, middle and end will help [Name] retell read-alouds in order.
Beginning B
Strengths
- Answering simple questions about a read-aloud, such as naming an animal or a character, is a starting point for [Name], who is working toward replying in short sentences.
- In partner talk, [Name] is taking first steps in sharing an idea, and a modeled example helps [him/her/them] know what to say.
Next step
- Retelling a favorite story with three picture cards for the beginning, middle and end will help [Name] begin to tell events in order.
Support at home
- Playing simple listening games at home, such as following two or three silly directions in a row, builds close listening.
How to write speaking and listening comments for Grades K-2
- Use show and tell, turn and talk or carpet discussions as evidence, noting whether the child answers in a single word or a complete sentence. A sentence frame that starts with I noticed is an easy next step.
- Listening is visible at this age: following a two-step direction, retelling what a classmate shared or asking a question about it. Name one of these rather than writing good listener.
- Mention new words the child uses from read-alouds, since spoken vocabulary runs ahead of reading vocabulary in the early grades. Families can reuse the same words in conversation at home.
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 K-2
- Reading: Comprehension, Grades K-2
- Writing, Grades K-2
- Speaking and Listening, Grades 3-5
- Math: Number and Operations, Grades K-2
- Math: Measurement and Geometry, Grades K-2
- Science, Grades K-2
- Social Studies, Grades K-2
- 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.