Report Card Comments for Math

Report Card Comments for Math Thinking of unique comments and phrases to write on a students report card is hard enough, but to have to comment on math is twice as difficult. There are so many different aspects in math to comment upon that it may get a bit overwhelming for teachers. To make the job a bit easier, use the following phrases to assist you in writing out your report card comments for math. Providing Feedback These phrases offer a good starting point for student feedback, but you might also find it helpful to record actual examples in order to have something concrete to review in a one on on setting. Positive Comments In writing comments for elementary student report cards, use these positive phrases regarding students progress in math. Has a solid understanding of all math concepts taught so far this year.Is mastering math concepts easily.Chooses to work on challenging math problems.Has grasped the difficult concept of (adding/subtracting/long division/place value/fractions/decimals).Math is a favorite area of study for...Enjoys math manipulatives and can be found using them during free time.Seems to understand all math concepts.Particularly enjoys hands-on math activities.Continues to turn in superb math assignments.Displays exceptional problem-solving and critical thinking skills in math.Is able to demonstrate and describe the process of addition of whole numbers up to...Is able to demonstrate place value concepts to give meaning to numbers 0 to...Understands place value and uses it to round numbers to the nearest...Uses data to create charts and graphs.Uses various strategies to solve one- and two-step word problems.Understands the relationship between addition and subtraction, and  multiplication and division .Solves real-world mathematical problems involving... Has good numerical skills and can use them in a variety of contexts.Is able to apply steps of a problem-solving process with considerable effectiveness.Demonstrates a thorough understanding of all math concepts and communicates with considerable clarity and justification of reasoning. Needs Improvement Comments On those occasions when you need to convey less-than-positive information on a students report card regarding math, use the following phrases to assist you. Can understand the concepts taught, but often makes careless mistakes.Needs to slow down and check his work carefully.Has difficulty with multistep math problems.Is able to follow mathematical processes but has difficulty explaining how answers are derived.Has difficulty with math concepts that involve high-level problem-solving.Has difficulty understanding and solving word problems.Could benefit from attending after-school math help sessions.Needs to memorize her basic addition and subtraction facts.Math homework assignments are often handed in late or incomplete.Has difficulty with math concepts that involve high-level problem-solving.Seems to show no interest in our math program.Is able to follow mathematical processes, but has difficulty explaining how answers are derived.Lacks basic math skills.Requires more time and practice in calculating addition and subtraction facts.Requires more time and practice in calculating multiplication and division facts.Needs to put much more effor t into learning to calculate addition and subtraction facts. Needs to put much more effort into learning to calculate multiplication and division facts.Needs practice with completing word problems.Needs considerable adult assistance to be able to complete word problems.Demonstrates a limited understanding of comparing numbers to...

Definition and Examples of Prepositional Phrases

Definition and Examples of Prepositional Phrases In English grammar, a  prepositional phrase is a group of words made up of a preposition (such as to, with, or across), its object (a noun or pronoun), and any of the objects modifiers (an article and/or an adjective). It is only a portion of a sentence and cannot stand on its own as a complete thought. Prepositional phrases often tell where something happened, when it happened, or specify which one. Because of these functions, theyre often essential to understanding a sentence. Key Takeaways: Prepositional Phrases Prepositional phrases are groups of words starting with a preposition.Prepositional phrases often function as modifiers, describing nouns and verbs.Phrases cant stand alone. A prepositional phrase wont contain the subject of a sentence. Types of Prepositional Phrases Prepositional phrases can modify nouns, verbs, phrases, and complete clauses. Prepositional phrases can also be embedded inside other prepositional phrases. Modifying Nouns: Adjectival Phrases When something modifies a noun or pronoun, its an adjective, so when a phrase does it, its an adjectival phrase. These types of phrases often specify which person or thing (what kind, whose). In context, they make clear a distinction between several possibilities. Sheila is the runner with the fastest time. Its likely there are other runners who are slower, as the sentence is specifying who is the fastest. The phrase is modifying (describing) the noun runner. Adjectival phrases come directly after the noun they modify. The boy with her is her son. The phrase with her is specifying a certain boy; its an adjectival phrase. There could be other boys, but the one with her is the one thats being described. The boy is a noun phrase, so the prepositional phrase is an adjective. If we want to make the boy even more specific, wed further qualify it with an embedded phrase. The boy with her on the tricycle is her son. Presumably, theres a boy with her thats not her son, so the sentence is specifying which boy with her is her son. Modifying Verbs: Adverbial Phrases Adverbs modify verbs, and sometimes the adverb is an entire adverbial phrase. These phrases often describe when, where, why, or how something happened or to what extent. This course is the most difficult in the state. The prepositional phrase specifies where. There might be other courses that are more difficult in other states, but this one is the most difficult here. Lets say its just one difficult course of several in the state, i.e., This course is among the most difficult in the state. The among phrase is an adjectival phrase modifying (describing) the course, and the final phrase remains adverbial, still telling where. She ran the marathon with pride on Saturday. The first prepositional phrase specifies how she ran (a verb), and the second specifies when. Both are adverbial phrases. List of Prepositions Here are some of the most commonly used prepositions in English. Be aware that just because a word in a sentence is on this list doesnt mean that its being used as a preposition in any particular context. Many of these words can also be other parts of speech, such as adverbs or subordinating conjunctions.   aboutbehindexceptoutsideabovebelowforoveracrossbeneathfrompastafterbesideinthroughagainstbetweeninsidetoalongbeyondintounderamongbynearuntilarounddespiteofupatdownoffwithbeforeduringonwithout   Preposition, Conjunction, or Adverb? To tell if a word is a preposition, look to see if it has an object. If theres a clause following it, youre likely dealing with a conjunction. If its at the end of a clause instead of the beginning (or the end of a sentence), its likely an adverb. After In this example, there is no object following after, and the word introduces a clause, so its clear that after is a conjunction: After we ate, we went to the theater.In this example, there is an object following after, which means it is used as a preposition: After lunch, we went to the game. Before In this example, there is an object following before, which means it is used as a preposition: Youve put the cart before the horse.In this example, there is no object following before; it is being used as an adverb: Ive heard that somewhere before.In this example, there is no object following before and the word introduces a clause, so its clear that before is a conjunction: Come over before you leave. Out In this example, there is an object following out, which means it is used as a preposition:  The cat followed the child out the door.In this example, there is no object following out; it is being used as an adverb:  Would you like to go out for lunch? When these words are part of a verb phrase, theyre adverbs. You check out, look up, and call off something, so these words might appear to be prepositions with objects. But they cant be split off from their verbs. He checked out the book. Out the book is not a prepositional phrase, as you dont go out a book. Examining Your Writing If your writing often contains really long sentences, look at prepositional phrases as a place to cut the chaff or reorganize when revising. Too many of them in a sentence can make it difficult to understand if the sentence gets over 25–30 words or so, depending on how far apart the subject is from its verb. This issue can often be fixed by splitting a long sentence into two or three shorter sentences or moving the verb closer to its subject.