FAQs |
Q: How much does SPARK cost?
A: Glad you asked! We're proud of how cost-effective and inexpensive SPARK is. When you see everything we provide as part of a Premium or Standard Program, you will be amazed at the value.
There are a lot of variables regarding pricing (e.g., how many teachers you have, how many training programs you'll need, how much equipment you already have, etc.). From the homepage, find the program you're interested in and click on the Program Prices page for a guesstimate, and/or complete the Request for Proposal survey. A SPARK representative will draft a no obligation workscope and budget tailored to your particular vision and needs.
Q: How does the SPARK curriculum align to our state's PE standards?
A: Take a look! Click here
Q: We'd love to do SPARK but we have no money. Can you help?
A: Visit our Grants & Funding page often, it updates frequently. Use our Grant-Finder tool to find $ opportunities and SPARK language ready to insert in your submission. Click Here
In some cases, SPARK may assist you with grant writing. Contact us (spark@sparkpe.org) to see how we can help.
Q: My administration purchased SPARK for me. However, I feel my PE program is already excellent. Why should I stop what I’m currently doing and replace it with SPARK?
A: You shouldn't! SPARK is a supplement, a professional growth opportunity, another tool for your ever growing toolbox!
After participating in a SPARK workshop, some teachers choose to use SPARK everyday because they love the content so much, it’s already organized and sequenced for them, and it saves a lot of preparation time.
Other teachers select parts of SPARK, hoping to enhance their current programs. It’s always the individual teacher who (once she/he learns more about what SPARK offers) that makes the personal decision of how to use it.
SPARK workshops present options and never force anyone to do something they don't believe in. The discovery method allows people receive their own ‘ah-ha’s’ and plan the course that's best for their students.
Q. We only have two teachers and we can’t justify the cost of hosting a SPARK workshop here. Are there any other options for us?
A. There are a couple of things we can do to help. First, is it possible to invite others to join you from neighboring districts or communities? They can reduce your costs significantly.
The other option is to send your teachers to SPARK. Each year, we host one Institute (even better than a Premium Training) in each program. Visit our Institute page and see if the dates work for your colleagues. We'd love to see your teachers in beautiful San Diego, our SPARK home.
Q. How can I see SPARK in action?
A. SPARK presents at conferences throughout the world. For our conference presentation schedule, Click Here.
SPARK also has "Showcase Schools" in multiple states and even Canada. Contact a SPARK representative to visit one near you. And don't forget, on this website there are numerous videoclips showing SPARK in action. Click on Institutes, choose your program, and watch a videoclip.
Q: May I just purchase the manual (without training and/or equipment)?
A: Yes, any SPARK manual with the exception of the High School Guidebook, which is only available as an accompaniment to the HS training.
Purchasing a manual (the "what to teach") is a great first step, yet without SPARK training (the "how to teach SPARK") or the equipment (the "tools you need to teach SPARK") you're missing two key pieces of a three piece puzzle. Try and acquire those other pieces as quickly as you can.
Q: Does the SPARK program include assessments?
A: Absolutely. SPARK provides four evaluation tools and the consultation on how to use them with each training program; Standard or Premium.
Additionally, within each program manual (or media disc and SPARKfolio) there are assessments that demonstrate student outcomes and even a teaching methodology tool we call a Lesson Quality Assessment. Click Here to learn more.
Q: May I invite others to my SPARK workshop?
A: Yes, we accept up to 40 attendees, so if you have slots available, we strongly encourage you to invite others. Not only does it make many of the activities more fun, but you can share the costs. For example, if 3 schools team up and send their teachers to the SPARK workshop, each school pays only 1/3 of the total!
Q. We can’t afford all the equipment we need. Which items are really necessary to implement the program?
A. Contact a SPARK representative. She/he will send you a modified equipment list that rank orders the most important, frequently used pieces. You can begin there and add-on as your budget allows. And check the SPARK website for grants in your state. There may be money available!
Q: What is the SPARKFolio?
A: It's an easy-access box that contains and organizes the contents of the SPARK Instructional Media Discs (K-2 and 3-6 programs only) and provides hundreds of color-coded, laminated cards in English and Spanish. You save valuable time and money because SPARK has done all the work for you!
Q: May I purchase the SPARKFolio instead of the manual?
A: You may but you wouldn't want to. While the Home Plays, task/skill cards, and assessments tools in the SPARKfolio are terrific, most of them are inadequate without the lesson plan from the manual guiding your instruction.
If you cannot purchase both manual w/disc and folio at the same time (you save money when you do) we suggest you buy the manual/disc first. Remember, everything in the disc is in the SPARKfolio so you can start to print and use the contents until you save enough to purchase your SPARKfolio.
Q: Do you offer music CD’s for your Early Childhood and Middle School Curriculum?
A: Yes we do. You can find them by clicking here
Q. How can we incorporate SPARK with our University methods students?
A: Many universities are already using SPARK manuals as a required or recommended text, and the instructors and their students LOVE IT. Upon request, SPARK provides a free CD with all the course materials (syllabus, assignments, rubrics, powerpoint, much more) to university faculty who would like to learn more.
Additionally, contemplating faculty may attend a SPARK Institute in San Diego as a special guest (registration waived) to experience SPARK pedagogy firsthand and meet personally with SPARK university instructors. Contact SPARK (spark@sparkpe.org) for your free CD, Institute VIP pass, or to schedule a call for more information.
Q. What does it mean to be “SPARK Certified?"
A. To become a SPARK Certified Instructor, you must participate in 12 hours (or more) of SPARK training in a particular program (e.g., 3-6 PE). You earn an award from SPARK and are eligible for a unit of credit from San Diego State University.
Q: Does SPARK have any FREE resources?
A: Yes, a lot! SPARK is committed to growing a healthier next generation of children and we want to help their teachers make it happen!
Free monthly eNewsletter
Free monthly Webinars
Free weekly Blog
Free grant resources
Q: Do I need to purchase the equipment for the SPARK training I'm hosting?
A: Yes, and we'll make it easy. Your SPARK Project Coordinator will send you a list of items our trainer will use and chances are, you'll already have some on site. You can either purchase what you don't have from SPARK, or gather/borrow the remaining equipment. But remember, for a school or agency to actually begin doing SPARK activities when the workshop is over, they must have the necessary items on hand.
Speak with a SPARK representative about your equipment needs. She/he is committed to working with you to meet your time and budgetary requirements.
If you have any other questions about SPARK, don't hesitate to call us at 800 sparkpe or e-mail spark@schoolspecialty.com
Our new Grant Finder Tool will help you find grants specific to your state and type of program. New grants updated daily!
SPARK staff are the best! We did elementary workshops in our district and the teachers loved them. The SPARK group did so much of the organization and planning for me, saving me so much time. SPARK...
