1. W ELCOME 4 th grade ~ Mrs. Dotson While you’re waiting…Sign up for my text messages called Remind! To participate, text 81010 with the message @22604.

2. Meet Mrs. Dotson o I graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin with my Bachelor’s Degree in 2012. o This is my 4 th year to teach. o I have been married to my husband, Rusty, for three and a half years. o I like to cook, scrapbook, and run.

3. D ATES TO REMEMBER o August 14 – Snack Cart begins o August 20 – Pizza Hut Night; PTO Fundraiser Kick- Off; PTO Meeting 6:00 o August 24 – Lunch Visitors begin o August 26 – Bank Day o August 26 – Fall Picture Day

4. NewsletterNewsletter: o Sent home each Monday in the binder. It includes: o Announcements/Reminders o Additions or changes to the calendar o Weekly topics and phonics words for the week o Homework and test dates

5. D.O.T. Binder: o Contents o Return to School-front pocket o Calendar- This will be initialed each night. (contains weekly AR information; related arts rotation, and important dates) o Newsletter o Attendance Log/ Common Assessment Graph o Skills Checklist o Password Page- online websites, usernames/passwords for textbooks or other technology resources o Mountain Math/Mountain Language Questions o Communication Log- This will be used for me to correspond on behavior or other things. It needs to be initialed if there is a conduct note. o Priority Pocket- This is a place to keep money, signed forms, etc. that need to be returned to me. o Keep at home-back pocket o Back Cover- Important Information/Resources

6. A TTENDANCE 4 unexcused tardies or checkouts = 1 absence Attendance log in binder – helps students take ownership of learning

7. Graded Papers: Papers will go home after they have been graded. The papers will be located in your child’s binder and are yours to keep. Please use these papers to work with your child at home. I feel that sending papers home daily vs. weekly allows students ample time for review before testing. If you are not receiving graded papers in the binder, please discuss this with your child. Tests will be sent home as the unit is assessed. You will receive a Remind 101 message when tests are sent home. Please always review the tests with your child.

8. Discipline/Policies and Procedures o Clips o S, S-, N, U o Calendar - sign each night ~ no conduct equals S for the day. Remember, if there is a star on the calendar, please flip to the communication log to see my note. I will do the same. o T.R.A.C.K. points o Refer to Policy and Procedure packet

9. T.R.A.C.K.-T REMENDOUS, R ESPECTFUL, A ND C OURTEOUS K IDS o T.R.A.C.K. programs will be each 9 weeks. o Each student begins the 9 weeks with 0 points. o Points are given for not following classroom rules. o Students earning more than 10 points will not be able to attend the T.R.A.C.K. program. o 0-10 points = S in conduct o 11-20 points = N in conduct o 21+ points = U in conduct

10. AR (Accelerated Reader) o Goals will be created based on last year’s TCAP scores for the first grading period. o Students will choose books within this level. Not above or below-this range will be appropriate for independent reading and growth. o Students will test on books and can check out new ones when necessary. o Goals will be set and explained in the next few days for points students need to earn. o At the end of the nine weeks, students will earn a grade by averaging their test score average and their percentage of meeting their goal. o Students will be able to attend the AR celebration at the end of each 9 weeks if they’ve met their goal and have an ending quiz average of 80% or higher.

11. INTRODUCING: S PELLING /P HONICS PRACTICE “Word Study”

12. Spelling…the Atoka way! Students will be introduced to new spelling patterns each week, take part in literacy activities in which they gain more exposure to the patterns, and practice making and sorting words throughout the week. They will take a phonics quiz each week on words that use that week’s spelling patterns as well as any previously taught phonics patterns. Half of the words on the phonics test will be assigned at the beginning of the week; the remaining half of the words will be new pattern words and will allow the teacher to measure mastery of the phonics skill.

13. W HAT DOES THE RESEARCH SAY ? Parents have been very used to the weekly spelling tests that our school favored, but research shows students often memorize words for a test and then promptly forget them. Assigned spelling lists often required students to study isolated words rather than the phonics, the sounds that letters make within the words We will be using a system that does not completely abandon weekly lists, but emphasizes opportunities for students to investigate and understand the patterns in words and build word knowledge that can be applied to both reading and spelling. http://blogs.scholastic.com/top_teaching/2010/10/my-november-top-ten-list-word-study-in-action.html

14. W ORD S TUDY VS. T RADITIONAL S PELLING TESTS Word study provides students with opportunities to investigate and understand the patterns in words. Knowledge of these patterns means that students needn't learn to spell one word at a time. Word study is also designed to build word knowledge that can be applied to both reading and spelling (Henderson, 1992; Zutell, 1998). Because it is closely tied to reading instruction, it also develops students' abilities in phonics, word recognition, and vocabulary (Baker, 2000). http://www.readingrockets.org/article/word-study-new-approach-teaching-spelling

15. L UNCH o Regular lunch: 1 entrée, 2 vegetables, fruit, milk ($2.00) o Extra entrée: $1.75 o Extra side: $0.50 o Water: $0.75 o Switch: $1.00 o Check balance on www.paypams.com

16. Homework o Homework will be written on the newsletter that is sent home each Monday in the binder. o Occasionally, additional HW will be given throughout the week for extra skills practice. o Homework is to be completed by the student and turned in the next school day. If it is not turned in, it will be finished during recess.

17. What can I do to help my child? Go over the graded papers as they are sent home. Utilize resources at the end of the powerpoint. Check/sign the calendar each night to be aware of conduct and AR progress. Utilize the communication log to stay in touch with me if you have any questions or concerns. Have them read each night, having a designated time/space for this to take place! Check their agenda “learning log” as a way to jump start your conversation with your student. This will be an excellent place where your student has written their learning for each subject on a daily basis.

18. A CHIEVEMENT G AP G RAPH

19. Math Fluency Checks o Learn the facts! o We will begin TIMED tests on these in the 2 nd nine weeks! o More details to come…. o Suggestions: write on index card and place on bathroom mirror, make flashcards, repeat them in the car, make a song, check out some multiplication cd’s, utilize my website

20. T ECHNOLOGY SIGN UP R EMINDERS Remind texts/emails Skyward online gradebook- pick up a packet in the front office if you need an account AR emails- a note was sent home yesterday with information on how to receive emails each time your student tests

21. O UR S CHEDULE o School begins at 7:45 (tardy after 7:50) o Recess 10:20-10:40 o Related Arts 10:45-11:30 o Lunch 11:40-12:05 o Dismissal o Car Riders 2:30 o 1 st Load Bus Riders 2:35 o 2 nd Load Bus Riders when 1 st Load Returns

22. R ESOURCES o Family Learning Center – Crestview Middle School (Monday-Friday: 901-475-5967) o Neighborhood Tutor: 901-837-7606 o www.mrskelseydotson.weebly.com www.mrskelseydotson.weebly.com o www.superteacherworksheets.com www.superteacherworksheets.com o www.ates.tipton-county.com www.ates.tipton-county.com o www.tipton-county.com www.tipton-county.com o http://www.tipton-county.com/students/web-resources-1 http://www.tipton-county.com/students/web-resources-1

23. I MPORTANT R EMINDERS o Absent - send note (on a piece of paper); make up work o Graded papers and tests will be sent home once they have been graded and reviewed in class. I will send a Remind text to let you know when tests come home. o Check the calendar in the binder EVERY night. o Homework, if any, is due the next day. o School transportation changes - need note…can’t call the office due to inability to verify voice of caller over the phone

24. C ONTACT M E o Note on Communication Log or in Priority Pocket o Email: kdotson@tipton-county.com o Call the school and leave me a message: 837-5650 G ET R EMINDERS o This is a free app I use almost daily. I will use this to send messages about graded papers, inclement weather/early dismissals, upcoming dates/deadlines, etc. Your number will not show up, and you will not be able to reply to the message. o To participate, text @22604 to 81010. Thank you!