• Name: Ms. Keri Wilkins
    Subject: Third Grade
    Contact info: (336) 771-4550 klwilkins@wsfcs.k12.nc.us or on the Class Dojo app 
     
    Welcome!
    This is my fourth year teaching, but my first year at Hall-Woodward Elementary School. I have had experience in kindergarten through third, and this is my third year teaching third grade!. I really enjoy enabling our students to push harder and become more independent higher thinkers! I feel so lucky to be at a wonderful, supportive, positive school like HWW! I graduated from High Point University in the spring of 2011 with my B.A. and in spring 2012 with my M.A. in Elementary Education with a Reading Specialization. I am passionate about giving students an exciting, rigorous education. We will have a great school year! 
     
    Mindset of a Champion
    Students in our class are Respectful, Responsible, and Ready to accomplish our goals!
    Keep track of student points/Jet dollars through the Class Dojo cell phone or computer application. Contact teacher if you need help accessing this information. Students can earn points for the following:
    Respectful - Raising your hand and waiting to be called - Quietly listening to the speaker - Using kind, scholarly language
    Responsible - Taking care of your materials - Keep your hands, feet, and objects to yoursef - Keep the school tidy and clean - TRY YOUR BEST!*
    Ready - Paying attention and focusing on the speaker with your eyes and ears - Get started to work right away - Bring your materials to school daily 
     
    Hard Work
     
    Remember, our goal in third grade is to build stamina with independent reading while enhancing comprehension to prepare them for their future.  Their level will be on their progress report once assessed. On level books will be sent home as a reading option weekly. Also, backpack reading books will be sent home as optional weekend practice. Please read every night with your student for at least 30 minutes! There will be reading comprehension worksheets sent home weekly for additional practice. Students need to be on a level P at the end of the year to be deemed proficient for fourth grade.
    Here are some tips for comprehension....  
     
    After reading, ask your child....
    1. What happened in the story (beginning, middle, end)?
    2. Was there a problem in the beginning? If so, how was it solved?
    3. Tell me about the characters in this book detailing specific character traits and events which proved that the character is this way.
    4. Why do you think the author wrote this book (purpose)?
    5. What is the main (most important) idea of this story?
    6. What genre of story is this reading selection (more specific than fiction/nonfiction)? How do you know?
    7. What is this word? (Point out a difficult/new/unfamiliar vocabulary word within the text.) What context clues are given to help you figure out the meaning of that word?
    Reviewing questions like these will allow for a higher critical understanding of the text. This is what makes students better readers! They must fully understand their reading. This will help them improve reading levels and prepare fully for the EOG testing! *Also helpful would be to have students answer these questions in writing!!*
     

    We will also be working really hard in math. This year students will be learning harder concepts such as multiplication, division, and fractional computations. Students will not be able to grasp these concepts if they do not have a fast accurate fluency in addition and subtraction. Please keep up the good work at home! This should be playing math games and practicing math facts daily. To help reach our goals, your student will also be expected to complete a daily math homework assignment. If we work together we can reach our goals!

    Grading
    Grading is on a 10 points scale. Students will receive 1 mid-term and report card per reporting period. Parents should be conferencing with students to know where their student is at educationally at all times. 
    Attendance
    Students are expected to be on time and present every school day. Legal implications may arise if students are tardy or absent for too many days. If there are doctor's notes please send to school to excuse these instances. Students must be here in order to grow! 
     
    Useful Links 
    Students:
    Language Arts -
    Online Stories http://pbskids.org/lions/stories/
    Short Vowel Practice http://www.sadlier-oxford.com/phonics/grade2_3/name_pict/name_pic1.htm
    High Frequency Words http://www.sadlier-oxford.com/phonics/grade_k_1/high_fre/hifreq1.htm
    Poetry http://www.gigglepoetry.com/
    Phonics and Reading Practice www.starfall.com 
    Read Alouds by Various Famous People http://www.storylineonline.net/
    Grammar http://www.eduplace.com/kids/hme/k_5/quizzes/index.html
    Writing Conventions http://www.toonuniversity.com/aol/2l_pucap.html
    Math -
    Practice Math Facts http://resources.oswego.org/games/mathmagician/ 
    Place Value http://www.funbrain.com/tens/index.html
    Practice with Time http://www.teachingtime.co.uk/draggames/sthec2.html
    Practice with Money http://www.primarygames.com/Spending%20Spree/start.htm
    Measurement http://www.funbrain.com/measure/index.html
    Fractions http://www.primarygames.com/fractions/start.htm
    Shapes http://pbskids.org/cyberchase/math-games/tanagram-game/
    Other -
    http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/
    This is a wonderful way to explore many elements of science!
    http://np.harlan.k12.ia.us/second_grade_web_sites.htm
    Cool theme specific websites!

    Parents:
    Websites -
    Reading Tips http://www.readingrockets.org/article/7836/
    Assisting your child in school http://www.carlscorner.us.com/parents.htm
    Parenting/Suggestions/Family Fun http://www.scholastic.com/parents/
    Advice/Tips for spelling http://www.spelling.hemscott.net/advice1.html

    My Tips for Parents:
    I know life is crazy but here are some ideas that will really help your child become the best student they can be!
    1. Read together daily: Children who read at home with their parents perform better in school.
    2. Establish a routine for homework: Set aside a regular, quiet time and place for students to work and be encouraging.
    3. Be involved with your child's school: Parents who are involved with the school have students that succeed better in school.
    4. Focus on your child's progress and positives: By focusing on what your child does well, your child feels more successful.
    5. Work with your child: Helping your child with studying spelling words, math facts or preparing for a test, as this makes your child feel more confident with your support.
    6. Look over your child's papers often: When you show an interest in what your child is doing, often the child works harder to succeed.
    7. Setting limits helps your child see your priorities: Don’t be afraid to set limits for TV, radio, video games or the like, especially during study time.
    8. Teach your child to be responsible: Your child is a student, so make them responsible for their education, such as putting their own homework in their backpacks.
    9. Make learning important!!!: Find excitement in learning by taking your child on nature walks, going to special events and demonstrating that you want to learn things with them.
    10. Have fun with your child!!!