Report writing time seems to come around again all too quickly. This can be a super busy time for teachers and supervisors. Writing, checking, editing, re-checking, printing, signing… we all look forward to that moment where we can finally say “I’ve finished my reports!”
Here’s 12 things you can do to halve your report writing time:
1. Start early
Don’t leave it to the last minute! I know your mum probably told you this when you were little, but it’s absolutely true! Get started early.
2. Observe, observe, observe
The powers of observation are undervalued and underestimated. Intentionally observe the students in your class and take note of what they’re doing and how they’re progressing.
3. Don’t be too tricky or clever
Don’t try and develop an overcomplicated ‘system’ for getting your student reports written. Just get started and get on with it.
4. Develop a word bank of adjectives
Put together a list of adjectives to help you with writing your reports, rather than wasting time trying to think of a different word for ‘fantastic’. Simply do an internet search for ‘adjective list’ or ‘report card adjectives’ and you will come up with a bunch of websites and images that will help.
5. Develop a list of sample comments
Start compiling a list of sample comments that you can refer to at any time. I have both a digital version (saved on my computer) and a hard copy version (papers in a folder) and I use both. Here’s a great one I came across online.
6. Break it down
Break your report writing down into manageable chunks using a weekly or monthly planner.
7. Find your own groove
You’ll really figure out, over time, how YOU write reports. You will develop your own style and your own way of doing things that will work for you. Being true to you still applies when it comes to writing your reports.
8. Read the completed comments out aloud
This is an important part of the report writing process. Actually read them out aloud, word by word. You will quickly notice any errors and you will also get a feel for how your reports read as a whole.
9. Get them to your supervisor early
Set a good example and get your reports in before the due date.
10. Keep copies of every report you write
Being able to refer back to previous reports is a great way of reviewing what you’ve written and improving for next time. I usually keep a printed copy of all my previous reports in my report folder so I can easily look at them and use them as inspiration for the next round of report writing.
11. Read other teachers’ reports
This is not about comparison (comparison is deadly) but rather about getting a ‘feel’ for how someone else does it. I have always found it super helpful to read the way someone else writes and to see how they express things.
12. Advance and improve
Learning to be a great report writer takes time and it’s a journey.
So, with that in mind,
Enjoy the journey,
And more importantly, enjoy the moments.
🙂
Megan
P.S. Click here for 10 Quick Tips For Effective Report Writing.
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The key component of a student’s report writing is to individualize the report. Every student performs differently and achieves differently. Reports that have similar generic comments are good starting points but should generate into the student’s individual performance and achievement. In addition, there should be positive comments. Even though a student may have not done well, the teacher needs to look for the simple things the student has done well in. The report should also be fair and morally acceptable.
Thank you for these comments. Super helpful.