Did I just hear a sigh? Writing report cards can have that effect on a teacher!
My biggest challenge with progress reports was writing the comments. I could work myself into a royal tizzy over those comments! Do I sound professional yet nurturing? Do I state my observations accurately? Is my spelling and punctuation correct? Oh, I could go on and on! It’s a wonder I still have a full head of hair!
My best report card–writing brainstorm was to keep a running list of favorite phrases. Some of the phrases simply said the same things but in different ways. Other phrases were those tough-to-write ones that addressed specific sets of circumstances.
What about you? Do you have a report card tip or suggestion up your sleeve? I can’t think of a teacher who wouldn’t be interested in hearing it!
Happily,
Diane
Report Card Comments
Here are a few:
1. Excellent class attitude
2. Good class participation
3. Improved overall effort
4. Pleasure to have in class
5. Works well with others
6. Accepts responsibility
7. Demonstrates leadership
8. Cooperative
9. Is Courteous
10. Uses class time wisely
11. He/she is learning to share and listen
12. Wants responsibilities and follows through
13. Is helpful and dependable in class
14. Uses time wisely
15. Has strengthend her skills in…
16. Has great potential and works hard
17. Working to full capacity
18. Is learning to be abetter listener
19. Is learning to be careful, cooperative and fair
20. Continuing to grow in independence
21. Gaining more self confidence
22. Has a pleasant personality
23. Has earned a very good report
24. Has improved steadily
25. Is learning to listen to directions more carefully
26. Is willing to take part in classroom activities
27. Seems eager to improve
28. Is cooperative and happy
29. Volunteers often
30. Works well with his/her classmates
31. Learns new vocabulary quickly
32. Has a sense of humor
33. Anxious to please
34. Has an excellent attitude
35. Considerate of others
36. Displays good study skills
I have that same list. A friend once gave me a list with all of the above list plus several other pages. They were mostly geared towards elementary and let’s face it elementary school and preschool are just not the same! One of my favorite phrases on that list though was, “Has a sense of humor we all appreciate.” Is that not the best way to say ‘ A ya, your kid is the class clown’. It can be quite the challenge to say the negative in a positive way. When I write my comments I ask myself how would I take this if I were the parent, then readjust or whatever I need to either cushion it or make it a little more obvious that this situation needs to be dealt with.
Corinthia –
Thank you for posting that awsome list!
Who still gets to write their own report card comments? In our county they don’t trust teachers to punctuate and write professionally. You have to choose from a computerized list of comments with no option to write your own!
Wow, dayle! This is a surprise! I know several teachers who complete their report cards using the computer; however, these teachers also key in their own comments and observations. I’m so sorry (and disappointed) to hear of your county’s choice.