These sentence stems are not an exhaustive list, but do provide robust choice for teachers looking for the "right" words when constructing comments. As much as possible, try to use strengths-based language to communicate where a student is at with their learning.
To ensure your comments are understood:
be concise - keep it short, you can use bullet points if you'd like, convey the message in a succinct manner
use specifics
prioritize plain language - strengths-based and parent-friendly language, try to avoid jargon
From the Ministry of Education K-12 Student Reporting Policy Information for Educators and School Leaders videos:
Students, parents and families are not looking for summary of what students have been learning in class or the learning standards, that info can be obtained through the teacher and through the MOE website. They want to know where a student is at with their learning and clearly name strengths. Students, parents and families want to know areas of growth, whether academic or behavioural. Comments should give students a strong foundation to move forward for areas of future growth, which is strengths based and supportive.
Students, parents and families want to know that you know a bit about their child as a person and a learner.
is starting to
is beginning to
is learning to/that
is receiving additional help with
needs ongoing help/support with
needs support with
needs clarification with/to
requires adult support for
is attempting to
is working to be able to
shows/demonstrates a beginning understanding of
requires guided instruction
requires more time
requires further understanding
tries to
can work towards
can work on
would benefit from
can continue to
is developing
is able to apply foundational skills/concepts in
is working towards/on
has improved tremendously at
is almost able to
continues to
is able to in repeated similar tasks/familiar situations
shows an understanding of....with support
is sometimes able to
needs reminders to
continues to need help with
is benefiting from practice with
requires guided instruction
requires more time
requires further understanding
tries to
can work towards
can work on
would benefit from
can continue to
is able to
construct
determine
extend
research
respond
support
is competent in
is consistently able to capable of developing
is proficient at
can
accurately
adapt
consistently
easily
effectively
explain
identify
solve
successfully
consistently makes
continues to
demonstrates a clear understanding of
has
achieved
a good grasp of
learned
very good insight
successfully
improved tremendously at
Is
able to
competent in
consistently able to capable of developing
proficient at
skillful at
very good at
requires guided instruction
requires more time
requires further understanding
tries to
is sometimes able to
needs reminders to
continues to need help with
is benefiting from practice with
can work towards
can work on
would benefit from
can continue to
often uses
creatively and insightfully applies understanding
recognizes the importance of
shows commitment
successfully interprets
skillfully uses
strategically
understands how / that
uses a variety of
displays strong / exceptional with
shows an in-depth understanding
is very/highly skilled at
applies understanding in
new and innovative ways
complex ways
excels at identifying
displays exceptional skill at
analyzing
adapting
explaining
identifying
needs reminders to
continues to need help with
is benefiting from practice with
can work towards
can work on
would benefit from
can continue to