Grade 8 English language arts report card comments - Manitoba

12 sample Grade 8 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 understands figurative language and uses it with purpose. Their writing shows a confident, distinct voice. ELA framework (2020), Language as Sense Making: Grades 6 to 8, printed p.92 (section, not a code): on known vocabulary ELA framework (2020), Language as Power and Agency: Grades 6 to 8, printed p.99 (section, not a code): their own voices Written for Grades 7-8
Next step. At home, Sam can read across many genres and jot down thoughts about favourite passages. ELA framework (2020), Language as Power and Agency: Grades 6 to 8, printed p.99 (section, not a code): their own voices Home tip Written for Grades 7-8
Next step. A next step is to present to an audience beyond the class. Sam can study strong models, then adjust tone and visuals for that audience. ELA framework (2020), Language as Exploration and Design: Grades 6 to 8, printed p.95 (section, not a code): to an audience Written for Grades 7-8

Level 3: Good

Strength. Sam writes organized pieces of several paragraphs. They can back up opinions with good evidence and explain it. ELA framework (2020), Language as System: Grades 6 to 8, printed p.93 (section, not a code): and organization patterns ELA framework (2020), Language as Power and Agency: Grades 6 to 8, printed p.98 (section, not a code): to understand opinions Written for Grades 7-8
Strength. Sam can explain the message of a video or image and how it is shown. They can present research with helpful visuals. ELA framework (2020), Language as Sense Making: Grades 6 to 8, printed p.91 (section, not a code): contextualize their reading/viewing/ ELA framework (2020), Language as Exploration and Design: Grades 6 to 8, printed p.95 (section, not a code): to an audience Written for Grades 7-8
Next step. A next step for Sam is to tell facts from opinions in news articles and explain how a writer's word choice can show bias. ELA framework (2020), Language as Power and Agency: Grades 6 to 8, printed p.97 (section, not a code): viewpoints, and bias ELA framework (2020), Language as Power and Agency: Grades 6 to 8, printed p.98 (section, not a code): choices of text creators Written for Grades 7-8

Level 2: Basic

Strength. With guidance, Sam can find the main conflict in a short story. They can give a personal response with one detail. ELA framework (2020), Language as Exploration and Design: Grades 6 to 8, printed p.96 (section, not a code): will practise summarizing ELA framework (2020), Language as Power and Agency: Grades 6 to 8, printed p.98 (section, not a code): to understand opinions Written for Grades 7-8
Next step. A next step for Sam is to watch a model talk, then practise a short talk with a partner using a cue card with three key points. ELA framework (2020), Language as Exploration and Design: Grades 6 to 8, printed p.95 (section, not a code): to an audience Written for Grades 7-8
Next step. Sam is encouraged to build each paragraph with a claim and a piece of evidence. One more sentence can explain how the two connect. ELA framework (2020), Language as Power and Agency: Grades 6 to 8, printed p.98 (section, not a code): to understand opinions Written for Grades 7-8

Level 1: Limited

Strength. With a model to follow, Sam can write several sentences on a familiar topic. They can state a simple opinion. ELA framework (2020), Language as Sense Making: Grades 6 to 8, printed p.91 (section, not a code): ideating, finding inspiration ELA framework (2020), Language as Power and Agency: Grades 6 to 8, printed p.98 (section, not a code): to understand opinions Written for Grades 7-8
Strength. With guidance, Sam can read short, high-interest texts. They can link events to personal experiences. ELA framework (2020), Language as Sense Making: Grades 6 to 8, printed p.90 (section, not a code): variety of strategies. ELA framework (2020), Language as Sense Making: Grades 6 to 8, printed p.91 (section, not a code): and making connections Written for Grades 7-8
Next step. Sam will benefit from listening for one key point in a short clip, writing it down and sharing it with a partner. ELA framework (2020), Language as Sense Making: Grades 6 to 8, printed p.90 (section, not a code): when they read/view/listen ELA framework (2020), Language as System: Grades 6 to 8, printed p.94 (section, not a code): and creating oral Written for Grades 7-8

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 7 and 8 add an overall percentage for each subject.
The percentage scale is used to report 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 8 English language arts comments tied to the curriculum?

All 12 comments name a skill and show the Manitoba curriculum match for Grade 8 beside the sentence. A match shows the skill is taught at this grade; judge the fit yourself.

Where do student names go?

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More report card comments

Other Grade 8 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.