What do you feel when you hear the word report cards? Do you instantly cringe and think how you’d rather volunteer for bus duty? Report cards can give you that feeling of stress, overwhelm, and the one thing you could procrastinate on for days. But, report cards are an important aspect of our job as educators. And, their main purpose is to inform parents and provide knowledge of their child’s performance. As I’m sure you know, report card comments need to be written carefully and thoughtfully which can cause you to become even more stressed out. Well, I am here to give you some tips, tricks, and suggestions for writing report card comments that will help you feel less stressed and more confident.
I am sure you know that sometimes the comments that you write on report cards are the only thing parents actually read and for that reason alone- well-written comments are crucial. These comments should outline the child’s strengths, areas of improvement, ideas, and activities to practice at home. And, always remember no big surprises should come up on report cards; those big things need to be communicated. Do not save those for report card times (trust me, you’ll thank me later)! I have an entire blog post dedicated to positive parent communication with tips on how to make those difficult conversations a bit easier.
Prepare
One thing that makes report card comments feel more manageable is being prepared. Set up a system that allows you to have a running list of comments that you can jot down throughout the week. One of my favorite ways is index cards on a binder ring, I have it hanging up and it allows me to write quick notes down that I can refer back to later. Start this at the beginning of the year and make it your goal to write comments at least a couple of times a week. I promise when it comes to report card time you have information that helps you fly through writing the comments. This is where Post-It notes can also come in handy! Another one of my favorite tips is to keep a running list of some previous comments and revisit the old comments that you have used in the past. Comments can easily be tweaked and changed per student but having a basis that you can easily customize is super helpful. Last but not least, time block and give yourself a deadline to finish. Find a quiet area, unplugged, and get those comments completed!
Format
One thing that often gets overlooked when it comes to writing report card comments is the formatting but it is a huge component of writing report card comments. We want these comments to be clear, honest and provide suggestions on how to improve. This is a great time to use what I call the sandwich rule which again is outlined in my blog post about parent communication. But the sandwich rule is where you provide a strength/positive then the area of improvement and lastly close it with another strength/positive. Following this format for report card comments is a great way to be respectful but also informative. Remember, parents do not know teacher vocabulary the way we do nor should we expect them to, therefore it’s important to provide language that is clear-cut and easy for parents to understand.
Be Mindful
I always tell myself like with any other form of parent communication, be mindful and respectful. Put yourself in the shoes of those parents, would you want to hear that about your child? Every child in your classroom has strengths and great qualities, hone in on those and set the tone of your comments as encouraging. One of my biggest pet peeves is generic responses that clearly have no thought put into them. I know report card comments are tedious but take a little bit of time to personalize each student’s comments. But my golden rule, be honest. If there is an issue or an area of improvement be sure to document this in writing and let the parents know but also provide them with ideas on how to work on the area of improvement at home.
Ask for Help
Last but not least, lean on your team. If you are stuck or need some assistance, ask for help. Sometimes when you collaborate with your team you can find fresh new ideas and come up with some great comments. I promise you, report card writing doesn’t have to be painful. I didn’t say it’s enjoyable but you can do it!
Comment Topics
- Habits- positive or disruptive
- Social-Emotional
- Peer Relationships
- Language
- Homework
- Reading Comprehension
- Class Participation
- Problem Solving Skills
- Writing
- Organization Skills
- Handwriting
Comment Examples
Here are a few examples of some comments but don’t forget to grab my list of customizable report card comments here
- Student occasionally needs a reminder to stay on tasks but is learning to be attentive when others are talking
- With support student is learning to complete tasks on time
- Student prefers to work independently and at times find it difficult to participate in group work
- Student has worked extremely hard this year and it is represented through their achievements.
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When I am feeling overwhelmed by report card writing, I always tell myself that this too shall pass. By the end of the year, we are simply over it, our plates are piled way too high and frankly, we are tired. But, report cards should not be a place to slack off or provide less adequate work. I hope these tips, ideas, and suggestions for report card writing made you feel cool, calm and collected for when report card time sneaks up on you yet again. How do you feel about report card writing? Let me know in the comments below!
