Write comments that describe the child in a positive light even if the child has some behavioral or academic challenges. For example, "Darian is very helpful and creative in class. I enjoy listening to his funny stories. In terms of academics, he would benefit from practicing his multiplication facts on a daily basis."
Avoid using vague or ambitious words when describing the student's strengths. Use statements that provide specific and succinct information about the child's mastery of certain skills. For example, "Jennifer takes great pride in her creative writing pieces. She always proofreads for grammar, spelling and punctuation errors."
Use encouraging comments to indicate that a student is progressing or improving in a specific academic or behavioral area. For example, "Jared has demonstrated increased social skills during free play. He shares his toys and interacts with his classmates in a positive manner." If you have a student who has at least moved in a direction of having a desire to do better, an appropriate comment would be, "Jeff has demonstrated a strong desire to improve in his reading comprehension."
Indicate in specific terms areas that will require the parents' attention and possible remediation. Parents must be informed of the deficiencies in their child's behavior or academic performance. Use positive but direct language to indicate academic challenges. For example, "Eric is very capable of mastering the skills we are currently teaching, however, he needs to be encouraged to slow down and ensure that his work is accurate and complete." In terms of behavioral issues, use statements such as, "Olivia requires assistance to interact with her classmates in a positive manner."