Grade 4 English language arts report card comments - Manitoba

12 sample Grade 4 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. Sam reads challenging novels and information texts with strong understanding. They can explain an author's purpose and point to details that show it. ELA framework (2020), Language as Sense Making: Grades 3 to 5, printed p.81 (section, not a code): main and supporting ideas ELA framework (2020), Language as Power and Agency: Grades 3 to 5, printed p.89 (section, not a code): point of view Written for Grades 4-6
Next step. In persuasive writing, Sam is encouraged to answer a possible counter-argument. They can then explain why the view still holds. ELA framework (2020), Language as Power and Agency: Grades 3 to 5, printed p.88 (section, not a code): ideas and opinions. Written for Grades 4-6
Next step. To grow further, Sam can lead small-group talks by asking open questions that draw out different views. ELA framework (2020), Language as Exploration and Design: Grades 3 to 5, printed p.87 (section, not a code): in focused conversation Written for Grades 4-6

Level 3: Good

Strength. Sam uses headings, diagrams and captions to gather information. They can share learning through clear visuals and short talks. ELA framework (2020), Language as Sense Making: Grades 3 to 5, printed p.81 (section, not a code): use different features ELA framework (2020), Language as Exploration and Design: Grades 3 to 5, printed p.87 (section, not a code): experiences to represent Written for Grades 4-6
Strength. Sam can find a passage's key point and sum it up. Their writing shows correct use of capitals, periods and commas. ELA framework (2020), Language as Sense Making: Grades 3 to 5, printed p.81 (section, not a code): main and supporting ideas ELA framework (2020), Language as System: Grades 3 to 5, printed p.83 (section, not a code): capitalization, and punctuation Written for Grades 4-6
Next step. To grow further, Sam can revise persuasive drafts. They can check that every reason supports the main claim. ELA framework (2020), Language as Sense Making: Grades 3 to 5, printed p.83 (section, not a code): reflection, and revision. ELA framework (2020), Language as Power and Agency: Grades 3 to 5, printed p.88 (section, not a code): ideas and opinions. Written for Grades 4-6

Level 2: Basic

Strength. Sam can write a paragraph on a familiar topic using a planning sheet. They can ask questions to understand a text. ELA framework (2020), Language as Sense Making: Grades 3 to 5, printed p.81 (section, not a code): brainstorming, mapping, drafting ELA framework (2020), Language as Exploration and Design: Grades 3 to 5, printed p.86 (section, not a code): ask initial questions Written for Grades 4-6
Next step. A next step for Sam is to watch short videos on a topic, jot two facts, and share the facts in a clear one-minute talk. ELA framework (2020), Language as Exploration and Design: Grades 3 to 5, printed p.87 (section, not a code): visual, oral, media ELA framework (2020), Language as Exploration and Design: Grades 3 to 5, printed p.86 (section, not a code): for different audiences. Written for Grades 4-6
Next step. At home, Sam can read a short passage aloud each day. Then they can write two sentences about it. ELA framework (2020), Language as System: Grades 3 to 5, printed p.85 (section, not a code): fluency, phrasing, expression Home tip Written for Grades 4-6

Level 1: Limited

Strength. Sam knows many everyday words by sight and can spell short, common words in their writing. ELA framework (2020), Language as Sense Making: Grades 3 to 5, printed p.81 (section, not a code): language, word choice ELA framework (2020), Language as System: Grades 3 to 5, printed p.83 (section, not a code): of design, spelling Written for Grades 4-6
Strength. Sam uses pictures to understand new information. They can show learning through drawings and labels. ELA framework (2020), Language as Sense Making: Grades 3 to 5, printed p.81 (section, not a code): use different features ELA framework (2020), Language as Exploration and Design: Grades 3 to 5, printed p.87 (section, not a code): experiences to represent Written for Grades 4-6
Next step. A next step is to listen to a partner's idea and respond with one reason. Sam can start with "I agree" or "I see it differently". ELA framework (2020), Language as Exploration and Design: Grades 3 to 5, printed p.87 (section, not a code): in focused conversation Written for Grades 4-6

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 4 English language arts comments tied to the curriculum?

All 12 comments name a skill and show the Manitoba curriculum match for Grade 4 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 4 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.