Ready, Set, Spark!
Spark Reading Newsletter | January 2025
Happy New Year Spark Teachers!
Welcome to the first Spark newsletter of the year! This issue includes some exciting updates, including tips for promoting active reading with our annotation tools, and details on how to access one-on-one support. Keep reading to learn more!
Promote Active Reading with Spark's Annotation Tools
Looking for an easy way to encourage active reading and check for understanding? Spark’s annotation tools are the perfect solution.
Students can annotate books using different colors, shapes, and text boxes, and you can see and use those annotations to assess understanding and start conversations.
Here’s an example:
Set the Stage
Ask your students to log in to Spark and open the book you’ve chosen. Then, guide them to a specific page. For example, “Turn to page 18 of Amazon Rainforest.”
Get Creative
Give your students a task using the annotation tools.
● “Use the purple pencil to underline new vocabulary words.”
● “Highlight the most surprising fact with a green box.”
● “Be sure to hit ‘Save’ when you’re done!”
Check Their Work
Log into your teacher account. Click the “Student” tab, select the three dots next to a student’s name, and hit “View Student.” Voilà—you can see their annotations right where they left them.
You can even encourage students to add notes about personal connections to the text, highlight main ideas, or practice recognizing grammar and parts of speech using the annotation tools.
Want To See It in Action?
Share this quick video with your class to help them get started.
Get One-On-One Support
Did you know Spark teachers can connect directly with a Pearson Literacy expert for personalized support? Whether you have a specific question or want to maximize Spark's potential, we’re here for you! Check the calendar and book your one-on-one session today.
Thanks for reading, and happy teaching!
The Spark Team