If we are to promote transformational learning, our comments should be positive and growth-oriented. Here are some suggestions for positively framed comments.
Positive Keywords
Try using some of these keywords in your prompt:
- Growth and Progress: persistence, willingness to learn, seeking help
- Academic Strengths: critical thinker, insightful, enthusiastic, curious, creative
- Socio-emotional: thoughtful, supportive, positive attitude, cheerful, responsible, independent, manages time well
What about Negative Behaviours?
If you need to comment on negative behaviours, frame it as a goal for next year and connect it to a current strength. Eg:
- "Needs to participate more."
"... has excellent ideas; she is encouraged to share her insights more frequently next year." - "Often submits incomplete work."
"... her creative thinking is admirable; consistent attention to detail on every assignment will help her achieve her potential." - "Is distracted easily."
"... shows great focus when engaged in tasks she loves; developing strategies for maintaining concentration in all areas will be a great next step."
A helpful structure is: [Specific Strength] + [Connecting Word] + [Positive Next Step/Goal].
Example: "[Student's Name] is a gifted problem solver; by focusing on using her organisational skills to keep track of deadlines, she can maximise their success in all areas."