Welcome
4th & 5th Grades
The fourth Grade curriculum is designed to increase reading fluidity, comprehension strategies, and story elements and literary devices. Grammar and writing focus on thought organization, creativity, and persuasiveness. Oral communication and problem solving are emphasized. Students review ancient civilizations and the Renaissance period while becoming more familiar with American history and European roots. Biblical curriculum focuses on Jesus and His life and ministry. Math skills center not only on arithmetic basics through division, but also on graph interpretation, metrics, and algebraic concepts. Science looks to the flora and fauna kingdoms as well as rudimentary chemistry and physics.
By the end of fifth grade, our students are academically well prepared for middle school. They will have been trained towards reading fluidity, strong spelling and grammatical comprehension, creative and persuasive writing skills, confident oral communication, and ease with critical thinking and problem solving analysis. They also will possess basic math acquisition with some algebraic understanding and exposure to geometry. They will have been exposed as well to ancient history and civilizations through contemporary American history, understanding that all history is lived out within the the sovereignty of God. Students will have a thorough knowledge of the Bible and will have been exposed to both Old and New Testament literature. They will be well versed in all biological systems, earth science systems, basic chemistry and physics.
Monday - Friday
8:30 am - 3:00 pm
Teachers:
Lorraine Clare, Head Teacher
(Picture by Lifetouch)
Mrs. Clare obtained her Bachelors of Arts in Education from Pacific Lutheran University. She began teaching in 1988 at Bethel High School in Spanaway. After taking time off to be a stay-at-home mom, Mrs. Clare homeschooled her children using the classical Christian model for five years. She then joined the FPCS faculty in 2003 and helped with the creation of the Elementary program at FPCS. Throughout her public, private, and homeschool teaching career, she has taught Kindergarten through 12th grade. At FPCS, she has taught second and fourth grades, and currently teaches the fourth and fifth grade split class.
Carissa Lewis, 5th Grade Specialist
(Picture by Lifetouch)
Mrs. Lewis obtained her Bachelors of Arts in Education from Pacific Lutheran University. She has taught 6th grade in a private Puyallup school, worked as a substitute teacher, worked at Sylvan Learning Center , and homeschooled her own children in the classical Christian model. Among helping to establish the elementary program at FPCS, her family lived in Beijing for 2 years to do work with young emerging Christian leaders, orphan kids, and migrant children. There, they helped with an after school program teaching the school children English as well as giving seminars in parenting. Mrs. Lewis began at FPCS in 2002 as a kindergarten teacher, and is now our 5th grade spacialist.
First Presbyterian Church School - 20 Tacoma Ave - Tacoma, Washington 98402 - 253-272-7145
