Grade 1 English language arts report card comments - Manitoba

12 sample Grade 1 English language arts comments for Manitoba's Provincial Report Card, from Level 4 to Level 1: 6 strengths and 6 next steps. Adapt any sentence to what you have seen in class, or write them for your whole class in the free Studio.

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Sample comments

Shown with the sample name Sam and they/them. The Studio uses your student's first name and pronoun.

A curriculum chip shows the expectation a sentence names. It is for your reference and stays off the report card.

Level 4: Very good to excellent

Strength. After a read-aloud, Sam retells the key events in order. They can explain ideas aloud in complete sentences with rich detail. ELA framework (2020), Language as Sense Making: Kindergarten to Grade 2, printed p.72 (section, not a code): reread/review/re-listen, and retell ELA framework (2020), Language as System: Kindergarten to Grade 2, printed p.74 (section, not a code): their oral language Written for Grades 1-3
Strength. Sam writes several connected sentences on a topic and adds lively details. They can ask thoughtful questions about books and new topics. ELA framework (2020), Language as Sense Making: Kindergarten to Grade 2, printed p.72 (section, not a code): brainstorm with others. ELA framework (2020), Language as Exploration and Design: Kindergarten to Grade 2, printed p.77 (section, not a code): and ask questions Written for Grades 1-3
Next step. A next step for Sam is to read different kinds of texts, such as poems and fact books. They can talk about how the texts are alike and different. ELA framework (2020), Language as Sense Making: Kindergarten to Grade 2, printed p.71 (section, not a code): many personal connections Written for Grades 1-3

Level 3: Good

Strength. Sam writes complete sentences about personal experiences and topics we explore. They can connect a story to their own life. ELA framework (2020), Language as Sense Making: Kindergarten to Grade 2, printed p.72 (section, not a code): brainstorm with others. ELA framework (2020), Language as Sense Making: Kindergarten to Grade 2, printed p.71 (section, not a code): many personal connections Written for Grades 1-3
Next step. At home, Sam can reread a favourite book aloud to a family member. Then they can write a sentence about the best part. ELA framework (2020), Language as System: Kindergarten to Grade 2, printed p.75 (section, not a code): are developing automaticity Home tip Written for Grades 1-3
Next step. A next step for Sam is to describe the details in a picture or video using exact words for size, colour and place. ELA framework (2020), Language as Sense Making: Kindergarten to Grade 2, printed p.72 (section, not a code): and Shared Reading/Viewing/ ELA framework (2020), Language as System: Kindergarten to Grade 2, printed p.74 (section, not a code): their oral language Written for Grades 1-3

Level 2: Basic

Strength. Sam reads many common sight words and can spell a growing number of these words in their writing. ELA framework (2020), Language as Sense Making: Kindergarten to Grade 2, printed p.73 (section, not a code): language and vocabulary ELA framework (2020), Language as System: Kindergarten to Grade 2, printed p.74 (section, not a code): of design, spelling Written for Grades 1-3
Strength. Sam uses pictures to help understand books and videos. They can show ideas through drawings with labels. ELA framework (2020), Language as Sense Making: Kindergarten to Grade 2, printed p.73 (section, not a code): known text features ELA framework (2020), Language as Exploration and Design: Kindergarten to Grade 2, printed p.76 (section, not a code): design and represent Written for Grades 1-3
Next step. Sam is encouraged to write an opinion sentence that starts with "I think" and add one reason. ELA framework (2020), Language as Power and Agency: Kindergarten to Grade 2, printed p.78 (section, not a code): different experiences, opinions Written for Grades 1-3

Level 1: Limited

Strength. Sam can hear the first sound in many words and uses it to write some words on their own. ELA framework (2020), Language as System: Kindergarten to Grade 2, printed p.76 (section, not a code): letters and sounds ELA framework (2020), Language as System: Kindergarten to Grade 2, printed p.74 (section, not a code): of design, spelling Written for Grades 1-2
Next step. At home, Sam can practise writing their name and a few common words, saying each sound aloud while writing. ELA framework (2020), Language as System: Kindergarten to Grade 2, printed p.74 (section, not a code): of design, spelling Home tip Written for Grades 1-2
Next step. A next step for Sam is to share a simple opinion with a partner using "I like... because..." after listening to a story. ELA framework (2020), Language as Power and Agency: Kindergarten to Grade 2, printed p.78 (section, not a code): different experiences, opinions ELA framework (2020), Language as Exploration and Design: Kindergarten to Grade 2, printed p.77 (section, not a code): engage in conversations Written for Grades 1-3

How Manitoba reports

Grades 1 to 8 get three report cards a year: Term 1, Term 2 and a final June report.
three reporting periods: Term 1, Term 2, and a final June report
Manitoba Education, Manitoba Provincial Report Card Policy, Partners for Learning, Grades 1 to 12, Revised 2026, PDF p.8 · Source
Each category gets a level from 1 to 4.
A 1-4 ordinal scale is used to report on achievement in each subject category.
Manitoba Education, Manitoba Provincial Report Card Policy, Partners for Learning, Grades 1 to 12, Revised 2026, PDF p.19 · Source
Grades 1 to 6 have no overall subject grade.
There are no overall subject grades.
Manitoba Education, Manitoba Provincial Report Card Policy, Partners for Learning, Grades 1 to 12, Revised 2026, PDF p.19 · Source
Comments describe strengths, key challenges and practical next steps.
comments describe student strengths, key challenges, and practical, doable, and timely next steps.
Manitoba Education, Manitoba Provincial Report Card Policy, Partners for Learning, Grades 1 to 12, Revised 2026, PDF p.33 · Source

Questions teachers ask

What scale do Manitoba subjects use?

Each category gets a level from 1 to 4 (Manitoba Provincial Report Card Policy, Partners for Learning, Grades 1 to 12, Revised 2026, PDF p.19). Grades 1 to 6 have no overall subject grade (Manitoba Provincial Report Card Policy, Partners for Learning, Grades 1 to 12, Revised 2026, PDF p.19). Grades 7 and 8 add an overall percentage for each subject (Manitoba Provincial Report Card Policy, Partners for Learning, Grades 1 to 12, Revised 2026, PDF p.19). NYD means the student does not yet show the required understanding; a comment is needed (Manitoba Grades 1 to 6 Report Card template 2026-27, PDF p.1).

Are these Grade 1 English language arts comments tied to the curriculum?

All 12 comments name a skill and show the Manitoba curriculum match for Grade 1 beside the sentence. A match shows the skill is taught at this grade; judge the fit yourself.

Where do student names go?

Nowhere. Names, ratings and comments are kept in this browser's storage on your computer and are never sent to Milestone Teachers or anyone else. One button clears them.

More report card comments

Other Grade 1 subjects

English Language Arts in other grades

All Manitoba report card comments · Manitoba Studio

Contains information from the Government of Manitoba, licensed under the OpenMB Information and Data Use License (Manitoba.ca/OpenMB)

Honest limits

These are starting points to adapt; check your division's comment guidelines and word limits.
Independent resource from Milestone Teachers, not a Government of Manitoba publication. This is not a report card system: nothing is submitted anywhere, and you copy the text into your division's software yourself.

Pair it with

The Studio is free. These printable reporting resources are separate products on this site, each for the place named in its title; open a product page to see its pages, contents and licence.

Manitoba Report Season Kit — Grades 1–8: Four resources in one download for the Manitoba report card, Grades 1–8: an 18-page evidence organizer, a 14-page C, U, S, R tracker, 588 subject comments and 110 Learning Skills comments.