New iPads to help PCES students with AR Program

By Tyler Hargett for the FCT

Phil Campbell Elementary School is full of bright, young minds that are ready to learn. With today’s technology, they have access to many new ways of learning, including online programs to improve their reading and science skills. In order to provide the students with these learning opportunities, teacher Kelly Champion requested a grant from the Franklin County Community Development Commission to go toward new iPads for her 2nd grade class to use.

Once it was approved, Champion was overjoyed that she would be able to give her students an advantage in the learning field.

“Students should have access to technology,” said Champion. “Many jobs now require them to have technology skills, and we are preparing them for the future.”

Before Champion applied for the grant, she only had one iPad for 21 students to share on a daily basis. While the school has an iPad lab, her class is only able to use it for about two hours on one day each week. Now that the grant has been approved, Champion said she plans to purchase three new iPads for the students to use, which will be particularly useful with the school’s Accelerated Reader program. The AR Program has students reading books and taking tests on what they’ve read. If they pass a test, they receive points, with each student who earned the required number of points by the end of the nine weeks getting to go to an AR party with the librarian.

“My students love it,” said Champion. “It’s a great way to build reading, vocabulary and comprehension.”

The iPads will also be used to research social studies and science topics.

Champion expressed her thanks to the FCCDC, saying that she appreciates “the support they give to teachers in our school system.”

Champion is currently in need of iPad protectors for the new iPads. Anyone who wants to help purchase or donate some protectors is welcome to contact Champion at kellychampion@franklin.k12.al.us.