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by OWEN LEI / KING 5 News
Bio | Email| Follow: @king5olei
KING5.com
Posted on April 14, 2011 at 6:19 PM
TACOMA -- Students learning to spell "crocodile" is nothing out of the ordinary for a class of second graders.
But rather than pull out the pencils and paper, the kids in Christine Geisel's class are swiping away with their fingers, spelling out their reptilian challenge on iPads.
"Crocodile eats fries," reads one pupil's screen.
It's not just the second grade. In fact, for several hours each week, the more than 300 students at Tacoma's First Presbyterian Church School use Apple's tablet computer in class. The private school is one of the first in Washington to fully integrate the technology into their curriculum.
"Writing the words, hearing the sounds of the letters as they touch the screen," said Geisel. "They're interacting with the words, they're interacting with their sentences, they're interacting with their learning."
Starting this spring, kindergartners to fifth graders have been using iPads for topics as diverse as geography, math, music and biology.
"This is my favorite type of butterfly," said fifth grader Madi Jo Lasich as she pinch-zoomed into an image from an Audubon society software program.
"We're not just sitting kids in front of computers," said Brandon Fix, a parent who helped create the program. "We're actually integrating whatever they're learning and utilizing the iPad to expand upon that."
The question is, are they learning? So far the touchscreen technology, just more than a year old, is really too new for any long-term studies on its educational effectiveness, though some have shown its ability to help children with learning disabilities.
Skeptics said the high cost of iPads -- including accessories and software, they can cost up to $650 a kid, said Fix -- just aren't worthwhile in a tough economy.
Larger school districts around the country, like in Maine, have looked at purchasing iPads on a larger scale, which could cost taxpayers in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Fix said that's not the cast for First Presbyterian. They fund-raised about $15,000 to buy their 23 iPads, he said, and added that the software costs just a few dollars because you only need one copy for every tablet.
Also, since teachers can figure out the programs on their own, there is no need for dedicated IT staff, he said. "They can download an app, play with it, get accustomed to it very quickly and and introduce it to the classroom based on what they're already teaching."
Not that the school is replacing the pencil and paper ways, they said. They're just putting more information at students' fingertips. The eventual goal is to raise enough money so that every school has a set of iPads.
First Presbyterian Church School Launches iPad Program
First Presbyterian Church School in Tacoma, WA may have a classical curriculum but leaps into the future with integrated iPad learning
(Tacoma, WA – February 2, 2011) First Presbyterian Church School, www.fpcschool.org, in Tacoma is preparing to launch an iPad program to be integrated into the curriculum of the elementary school.
Last spring, the school began raising funds to support the creation of a roving MacLab for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classes. As plans progressed for this project, it became clear that new, and better technology was on the verge of becoming classroom reality. The iPads. While MacBooks would have provided a technology aspect to the program, it did not have the ability to ease into any lesson plan, any curriculum or discussion topic that a teacher may already have on their lesson plan for the day.
“…If you are working on geography or maps… [a tap on the iPad with a flash to a global map] there is an APP for that!” says Brandon Fix, a parent and integral part of technology upgrades at FPCS.
“It quickly became apparent that the iPads will support our already vigorous and integrated curriculum far better than having to develop a line of curriculum geared toward learning the MacBooks”, says Heather Espinoza, the Business Director of the school.
The iPad mobility cart should be up and running some time in February. This cart, powered by a Mac Book Pro, will be able to move from classroom to classroom in the elementary wing. During a lesson, the teacher will be able to hand each student an iPad to use at their desk.
FPCS is excited to be on the cusp! …The cusp of new technology and the cusp of new learning possibilities. Students are surrounded by technology unlike any generation before, and at FPCS they intend on maximizing the learning potential in a way they have never done before- using technology!
About the school:
•FPCS is the only Classical Christian School, preschool through 5th grade in the south Puget Sound.
FPCS is the only Classical Christian School, preschool through 5th grade in the south Puget Sound. •FPCS offers small class sizes, providing more individualized attention.
FPCS offers small class sizes, providing more individualized attention.•FPCS has specialty classes studying Spanish, renowned artists such as Matisse, music of the ages, and drama.
FPCS has specialty classes studying Spanish, renowned artists such as Matisse, music of the ages, and drama.•FPCS teaches a Christian worldview, which means children will learn a Christian perspective in all subject areas.
FPCS teaches a Christian worldview, which means children will learn a Christian perspective in all subject areas.•Over our 40 years in existence we have become a true part of the Stadium District community and envelop every family into the FPCS family.
Over our 40 years in existence we have become a true part of the Stadium District community and envelop every family into the FPCS family.The school was established in 1969 by First Presbyterian Church, which was founded in 1873. The church is a multi-generational evangelical church that seeks to introduce people to the good news of a restored relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Located in the historic Stadium District of Tacoma, the church and school are part of a vital and growing urban neighborhood.
First Presbyterian Church School Has Slow Start but Outstanding 09-10 Enrollment
First Presbyterian Church School in Tacoma, WA was worried back in February about enrollment but is now adding classes
(Tacoma, WA – September 2, 2009) First Presbyterian Church School, www.fpcschool.org, in Tacoma is preparing for a fabulous 40th year of educating our young minds and continues to add new young ones to the mix.
When registration began in February, enrollment was slow, and the administration worried about how viable classes would be.
“The current state of the economy has been a worry,” said Dr. Jim Thoburn, the Head of School. “Little by little, we just kept chipping away at it, and since our initial enrollment began we have added 4 new classes and over 50 students over last September’s rosters.”
This means that even with the economic stress on local families, the religious school has made quite an impact on families and the community! Dr. Thoburn believes that the families value the education FPCS provides and the character development that is encouraged.
“At First Presbyterian Church School, we use a Classical Christian Education model, which trains young minds and souls for life and leadership,” added Dr. Thoburn. “Located in the heart of the Stadium district in Tacoma, we are the only south sound school to offer Christian education for preschool through fifth grade in the Classical teaching style.”
With the explosion of preschool enrollment in particular, FPCS hopes to see these families filter into the elementary program over the next few years. With affordable private school tuition and learning opportunities like Spanish and Latin, the school will hopefully continue it’s steady pace up!
About the school:
• FPCS offers small class sizes, providing more individualized attention.
• FPCS has specialty classes, teaching Spanish, studying renowned artists such as Matisse, and the music of the ages.
• FPCS teaches a Christian worldview, which means children will learn a Christian perspective in all subject areas.
• Over our 40 years in existence we have become a true part of the stadium district community and envelop every family into the FPCS family.
The school was established in 1969 by First Presbyterian Church, which was founded in 1873. The church is a multi-generational evangelical church that seeks to introduce people to the good news of a restored relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Located in the historic Stadium District of Tacoma, the church is part of a vital and growing urban neighborhood.
First Presbyterian Church School Has Nearly Full Staff for 40th Anniversary School Year
First Presbyterian Church School in Tacoma, WA Is Considering Third-Grade Teacher Applicants to Complete Its Staff
(Tacoma, WA – June 17, 2009) First Presbyterian Church School, www.fpcschool.org, in Tacoma is just about ready for the 2009-2010 school year, and to celebrate its 40th year of educating young minds.
The acclaimed school has successfully completed reorganization of its elementary staff in preparation of its new school year. This means the only teacher’s position left to fill is for the third grade.
“Loraine Claire, a past-favorite FPCS teacher, has returned and will be teaching at our highest level, the fourth/fifth split, and assumes the leadership role for the department,” said Dr. Jim Thoburn, the Head of School. “She is a Classical Christian-trained teacher and is paired with another excellent teacher, Clarissa Lewis, as the fifth-grade specialist.”
This means the religious school is only seeking a teacher for the third grade. Dr. Thoburn says the FPCS’s commitment is to hire a seasoned teacher who will provide excellent academics, classroom management, and biblical integration for our students. Applicants are urged to visit the school’s Web site, www.fpcschool.org .
“At First Presbyterian Church School, we use a Classical Christian Education model, which trains young minds and souls for life and leadership,” added Dr. Thoburn. “Located in the heart of the Stadium district in Tacoma, we are the only south sound school to offer Classical Christian education for preschool through fifth grade.”
About the school:
•FPCS offers small class sizes, providing more individualized attention.
FPCS offers small class sizes, providing more individualized attention.•FPCS has specialty classes, teaching Spanish, studying renowned artists such as Matisse, and the music of the ages.
FPCS has specialty classes, teaching Spanish, studying renowned artists such as Matisse, and the music of the ages.•FPCS teaches a Christian worldview, which means children will learn a Christian perspective in all subject areas.
FPCS teaches a Christian worldview, which means children will learn a Christian perspective in all subject areas.•Over our 40 years in existence we have become a true part of the stadium district community and envelop every family into the FPCS family.
Over our 40 years in existence we have become a true part of the stadium district community and envelop every family into the FPCS family.The school was established in 1969 by First Presbyterian Church, which was founded in 1873. The church is a multi-generational evangelical church that seeks to introduce people to the good news of a restored relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Located in the historic Stadium District of Tacoma, the church is part of a vital and growing urban neighborhood.
