Writing Report Card Comments, Grades K-2
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 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 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
- [Name] begins each written sentence with a capital letter and ends it with a period, question mark or exclamation point without needing a checklist.
- [Name] organizes writing with an inviting beginning, well-ordered details and an ending that wraps up the piece.
Next step
- [Name] is ready to write longer how-to and all-about books with a table of contents and a chapter on each part of the topic.
Meets the standard M
Strengths
- [Name] draws a picture and writes a sentence or two that tells about it, using labels to add details.
- Most pieces of writing [Name] completes have a clear beginning, a middle with details and an ending.
Next step
- A goal for [Name] is to add a second detail sentence on each page of [his/her/their] stories and all-about books.
Approaching the standard A
Strengths
- With a sentence starter, [Name] can write an opinion about a favorite book and is working on adding a reason that explains it.
- Capital letters and end punctuation appear correctly in some of [Name]'s writing, and the spelling patterns taught in class are coming along with practice.
Next step
- Using a finger or a craft stick as a spacer between words will make [his/her/their] written sentences easier to read.
Beginning B
Strengths
- Copying familiar sight words from the word wall, [Name] is beginning to include them in [his/her/their] own written sentences.
- In a small group, [Name] listens to feedback on [his/her/their] writing and is beginning to make one change with guidance.
Next step
- Saying a word slowly and writing a letter for the first sound, with a teacher modeling, will help [Name] begin spelling words on [his/her/their] own.
Support at home
- Asking "What could you add to tell me more?" when your child shares writing encourages revising and adding detail.
How to write writing comments for Grades K-2
- Describe the stage you see: a labeled drawing, one sentence, or several sentences across pages. Families of young writers need to know which step comes next, not only that the piece is lovely.
- Credit sound spelling as progress, such as becuz showing every sound heard, while naming the word wall words the child should spell correctly. This stops families from correcting every invented spelling at home.
- Comment on handwriting and finger spaces separately from ideas, since a child may tell rich stories aloud but tire when forming letters. Suggest saying the sentence aloud first or using a sentence starter.
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 K-2
- Reading: Comprehension, Grades K-2
- Writing, Grades 3-5
- Speaking and Listening, Grades K-2
- 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.