Grade 8 ELA report card comments

12 sample Grade 8 ELA comments for standards-based report cards, from Exceeds to Beginning: 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.

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Exceeds

Strength, Writing. Sam writes informative pieces that are well built, use exact words, and keep a formal style. CCSS W.8.2: Write informative/explanatory texts CCSS W.8.1.d: maintain a formal style Written for Grades 6-8
Strength, Reading (literature and informational text). Sam traces how a theme grows across a story and shows how the setting and characters shape it. CCSS RL.8.2: determine a theme or central idea CCSS RL.8.3: reveal aspects of a character Written for Grades 6-8
Next step, Language. Sam is ready to add new words from wide reading to their writing and speaking. CCSS L.8.6: domain-specific words and phrases Written for Grades 6-8

Meets

Strength, Speaking and Listening. Sam presents ideas in a clear order with useful details and speaks clearly. CCSS SL.8.4: present claims and findings Written for Grades 6-8
Next step, Speaking and Listening. A next step is for Sam to take in new facts from classmates and change their view when it makes sense. CCSS SL.8.1.d: justify their own views Written for Grades 6-8
Next step, Reading (literature and informational text). A next step is for Sam to read between the lines more often, using details to explain what is implied. CCSS RL.8.1: inferences drawn from the text Written for Grades 6-8

Approaching

Strength, Reading (literature and informational text). Sam can summarize the main events of a text, though some summaries still include minor details. CCSS RL.8.2: provide an objective summary Written for Grades 6-8
Strength, Language. Sam uses commas well and is learning to use dashes and ellipses. CCSS L.8.2.a: comma, ellipsis, dash Written for Grade 8
Next step, Writing. A next step is for Sam to explain how each piece of evidence supports the claim, not just quote it. CCSS W.8.1.b: reasoning and relevant evidence CCSS W.8.9: draw evidence from literary or informational texts CCSS W.8.1.a: Introduce claim(s), acknowledge Written for Grades 6-8

Beginning

Strength, Writing. With support, Sam can state an opinion or claim in a single sentence. CCSS W.8.1.a: Introduce claim(s), acknowledge Written for Grades 6-8
Next step, Speaking and Listening. At home, Sam can practice speaking up by sharing an opinion about a book, game, or show with family. CCSS SL.8.4: present claims and findings Home tip Written for Grades 6-8
Next step, Language. At home, Sam can read for a few minutes each day and note one new word to discuss. CCSS L.8.6: domain-specific words and phrases CCSS L.8.4: unknown and multiple-meaning word Home tip Written for Grades 6-8

How U.S. districts report

One district grades conduct and work habits on a three-level scale.
Students receive grades (1, 2, or 3), separate from the content area, for conduct and work habits.
Wake County Public School System (North Carolina), Elementary Report Cards, web page · Source
Another district marks work habits with four letters.
E (Excellent), S (Satisfactory), N (Needs Improvement), U (Unsatisfactory)
Santa Ana Unified School District (California), Report Card Guide for Parents, Grade 1 (Rev. 2016), PDF p.2-3 · Source
One district shares report cards with families three times a year.
Report cards are shared with parents three times each school year
San Diego Unified School District (California), Grading Policy (Hardy Elementary page), web page · Source

Questions teachers ask

Which U.S. report card does this follow?

None in particular: U.S. districts design their own report cards. This mode offers ELA, math and work habits comments, which many standards-based cards report, on scales that differ by district.

Are these Grade 8 ELA comments tied to the curriculum?

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

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More report card comments

Other Grade 8 subjects

ELA in other grades

All United States report card comments · United States Studio

Honest limits

U.S. districts design their own report cards. This mode offers ELA, math and work habits comments for Grades K-8; it does not mirror a particular district's card.
Every sentence is a starting point to adapt from your own evidence. Nothing is submitted anywhere.