Writing Report Card Comments, Grades 3-5
Writing covers opinion, informational and narrative pieces, from drawing and labeling in kindergarten to paragraphs, essays and research reports later on, along with organization, capitals, punctuation and spelling, revising and editing, and legible handwriting.
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 writing 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
- Opinion essays from [Name] open with an engaging hook, present reasons in a logical order and end with a convincing conclusion.
- [Name] writes with focus for long stretches and keeps adding ideas and details until a piece feels complete.
Next step
- [He/She/They] could experiment with figurative language, such as similes and vivid verbs, to add voice to narrative writing.
Meets the standard M
Strengths
- During revision, [Name] often adds details or reorders sentences to make a paragraph clearer, using feedback from conferences.
- [Name] is able to keep writing for the whole work time and generally brings each piece to a finish.
Next step
- Adding a hook to grab the reader and a closing that restates the main point would make [his/her/their] essays more complete.
Approaching the standard A
Strengths
- When revising, [Name] at times rereads and makes changes and is growing in [his/her/their] ability to add or move sentences to improve the meaning.
- Planning before writing, such as sketching ideas or talking them through with a partner, is a habit [Name] is developing.
Next step
- Practicing note-taking with bullet points and key words, rather than full sentences, will help [Name] write research reports in [his/her/their] own words.
Beginning B
Strengths
- Revising with one-on-one guidance, [Name] is starting to add a detail or a more precise word to a sentence in [his/her/their] draft.
- With a sentence frame, [Name] is beginning to organize [his/her/their] written ideas into a beginning and an ending.
Next step
- Saying ideas aloud to an adult first, then writing them as sentences with support, will help [Name] write more about a topic.
Support at home
- Letting your child write a how-to list for a favorite game or recipe practices putting steps in a clear order.
How to write writing comments for Grades 3-5
- Name the genre and one organizational move, such as a hook, a topic sentence, transitions between paragraphs or a conclusion that circles back. Specific craft words help families talk about a draft at home.
- Look at revision, not just the final copy. Note whether the child adds evidence, cuts repetition or uses peer feedback and an editing checklist, since that process shows growth a polished piece can hide.
- For research reports, mention note-taking and putting facts in the child's own words. Families can help by asking the child to explain one fact aloud without looking at the source, then write it down.
Watch out: Letting conventions take over the comment. A list of spelling and punctuation errors hides the child's ideas. Lead with what the writing says, then give one conventions target, such as capitals to start sentences.
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 Writing covers
In these comments, writing covers these behaviours:
- writes opinion, informational and narrative pieces
- organizes ideas with a clear beginning, supporting details and an ending
- uses capitals, punctuation, grammar and spelling patterns taught in class
- plans, revises and edits work, using feedback
- forms letters legibly (K-2) and builds writing stamina
More US standards-based K-5 comments
- Reading: Foundational Skills, Grades 3-5
- Reading: Comprehension, Grades 3-5
- Writing, Grades K-2
- Speaking and Listening, Grades 3-5
- 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.