What are the common errors teachers make when writing reports? See if you can guess.

1. Let’s Play A Game!
•Can you brainstorm the top ten
biggest reporting boo-boos that
often occur in schools?
• 2 minutes thinking time! GO!

2. Number 10
Using language parents don’t
understand!
“The quadrilateral equation outcome is….”

3. Number 9
Using long convoluted sentences
that just go on and on and on and
on…

4. Number 8
Not knowing the difference
between there, their and they’re,
as well as your and you’re and to
and too.
That being said,
you reports are
likely to be
proofread. I hope they know it
then!

5. Number 7
Rewriting anything that is already
at the descriptor at the top of the
page

6. Number 6
Writing any comment that
describes a student’s personality.
But Anja is a lovely girl!
Why can’t I acknowledge
that?

7. Number 5
Writing generalised comments in
the final three boxes that do not
show a personal knowledge of the
student.

8. Number 4
Writing anything negative (or that
suggests an improvement) in the
achievement box.

9. Number 3
Forgetting to double-check that
the marks/dots match the
comments.

10. Number 2
Using comment banks and
forgetting to change he/she
pronouns!

11. What could
be worse than
this?
Get ready for Number 1!

12. Number 1!
Cutting and pasting the same
comment for every student!