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Spark Reading Newsletter | November 2024

Hello Spark teachers!

In this month's newsletter, award-winning teacher Andrea Van Hoof shares her favorite Spark Reading strategies for phonics. As winter break approaches, we also have tips for encouraging your students to read at home. Plus, we highlight books that pair perfectly with upcoming dates from our Special Days Calendar. Let's dive in!

Andrea Van Hoof's Go-To Tips for Teaching Phonics with Spark

Explore practical, time-saving strategies from award-winning teacher Andrea Van Hoof on how to use Spark Reading to enhance phonics instruction.

Teacher Andrew use Spark Reading to enhance phonics instruction

Andrea uses Spark to build phonemic awareness, teach phonics and vocabulary, and support struggling readers.

In this success story, she shares how she integrates Spark into her classroom and the positive impact it's having on her students.

Teacher Andrew use Spark Reading to enhance phonics instruction

No-Fuss Ideas to Keep Students Reading Over Winter Break

Winter break will be here before we know it. Here are some fun ways to encourage students to keep reading at home

Daily Reading Challenge

Help students beat the "reading slump"! Challenge them to use Spark to read for 15 minutes a day, read a set number of books, or read all the books in a series.

Spark Some Creativity

Extend the learning with fun projects! Ask students to design new book covers, create alternate endings, or write character profiles.

Add a Fun Twist to Digital Read-Alouds

Students love listening to a good story in Spark. For extra fun, ask students to listen with a sibling, parent, or caregiver, or cozy up in a blanket fort with their favorite hot drink

Students listen to a good story in Spark

Make a Reading Advent Calendar

Create a simple Reading Advent Calendar that students can start in class and finish at home. Consider offering a small prize to keep them motivated!

Here's some winter-inspired reading fun to help you get started:

●       Read Into the Cold (Level W) or A Cold Place (Level B) with a warm cup of hot chocolate or a cozy blanket

Book cover for Into the Cold
Book cover for A Cold Place

●       Read Help (Level H) and consider an act of kindness you could do over your winter break.

Book cover for Help

●       Read a book about winter and jot down your favorite things about this chilly season.

Book covers about winter

Spark Reading + Special Days Calendar

Have you checked out Pearson's Special Days Calendar? It's packed with unique special awareness days you can use to get students thinking and talking. Each day includes curriculum-aligned activities that make adding something special to your lesson plans easy—and fun!

This month, we're sharing some of our favorite days and Spark Reading books that pair perfectly. Because who doesn't love finding a reason to celebrate—and read? 

World Kindness Day – November 13 

Book cover for Big Hippo

Big Hippo, Little Hippo by Jill Eggleton

(Reading Level I)

What happens when Big Hippo tells Little Hippo the mud pool isn't big enough for both of them?

Celebrate Your Unique Talent Day – November 24

Book cover for Drummer Boy

(Reading Level O)

Things don't get off to a good start for Jake at his new school.

International Volunteer Day – December 5 

Book cover for Hand to Heart

Hand to Heart: Improving Communities by Jessica Cohn

(Reading Level T)

Raise your voice. Stand up and be counted. Anyone can volunteer. Kids have the power to change the world.

Thanks for reading, and happy teaching!

We can't wait to bring you more Spark tips, resources, and ideas in the New Year!

The Spark Team