WELCOME4th grade ~ Mrs. Dotson

While you’re waiting…Sign up for my text messages called Remind!

To participate, text 81010 with the message @22604.

Meet Mrs. Dotsono I graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin

with my Bachelor’s Degree in 2012.o This is my 4th 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.

DATES TO REMEMBERoAugust 14 – Snack Cart beginsoAugust 20 – Pizza Hut Night; PTO Fundraiser Kick-Off; PTO Meeting 6:00

oAugust 24 – Lunch Visitors begin

oAugust 26 – Bank DayoAugust 26 – Fall Picture Day

Newsletter:oSent home each Monday in the binder. It includes:oAnnouncements/RemindersoAdditions or changes to the calendaroWeekly topics and phonics words for the weekoHomework and test dates

D.O.T. Binder:o Contents

o Return to School-front pocketo Calendar- This will be initialed each night. (contains weekly

AR information; related arts rotation, and important dates)o Newslettero Attendance Log/ Common Assessment Grapho Skills Checklisto Password Page- online websites, usernames/passwords for

textbooks or other technology resourceso Mountain Math/Mountain Language Questionso 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 pocketo Back Cover- Important Information/Resources

ATTENDANCE4 unexcused tardies or checkouts

= 1 absenceAttendance log in binder – helps

students take ownership of learning

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.

Discipline/Policies and Procedureso Clipso 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. pointso Refer to Policy and Procedure packet

T.R.A.C.K.-TREMENDOUS, RESPECTFUL, AND COURTEOUS KIDSo 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 conducto 11-20 points = N in conducto 21+ points = U in conduct

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.

INTRODUCING:SPELLING/PHONICS PRACTICE“Word Study”

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.

WHAT 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

WORD STUDY VS. TRADITIONAL SPELLING TESTSWord 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

LUNCHo Regular lunch: 1 entrée, 2

vegetables, fruit, milk ($2.00)o Extra entrée: $1.75o Extra side: $0.50o Water: $0.75o Switch: $1.00o Check balance on

www.paypams.com

Homeworko 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.

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.

ACHIEVEMENT GAP GRAPH

Math Fluency Checkso Learn the facts! o We will begin TIMED tests on these in

the 2nd 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

TECHNOLOGY SIGN UP REMINDERSRemind texts/emailsSkyward 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

OUR SCHEDULEo School begins at 7:45 (tardy after

7:50)o Recess 10:20-10:40 o Related Arts 10:45-11:30o Lunch 11:40-12:05o Dismissal

o Car Riders 2:30o 1st Load Bus Riders 2:35o 2nd Load Bus Riders when 1st Load

Returns

RESOURCESo Family Learning Center – Crestview

Middle School (Monday-Friday: 901-475-5967)o Neighborhood Tutor: 901-837-7606o www.mrskelseydotson.weebly.como www.superteacherworksheets.como www.ates.tipton-county.como www.tipton-county.como http://www.tipton-county.com/

students/web-resources-1

IMPORTANT REMINDERSo Absent - send note (on a piece of paper);

make up worko 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

CONTACT MEo Note on Communication Log or in Priority Pocketo Email: kdotson@tipton-county.como Call the school and leave me a message: 837-5650

GET REMINDERSo 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!