The Sound Phonics And Reading Knowledge for Literacy Enrichment (SPARKLE) program is designed for students in PreK through 3rd grade. It supports the development of essential early literacy skills, focusing on phonological and phonemic awareness. SPARKLE provides educators with a comprehensive set of activities and materials, tailored for use in speech-language therapy sessions or within a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework. By targeting foundational skills necessary for reading success, SPARKLE helps bridge gaps for young learners in need of additional support.
Note from the Amplio Speech & Language team: This program is currently in Phase 2 of its release schedule, with additional content coming later this year. The information and guidance provided in this article reflect the Phase 2 release of the program, currently available.
Structure
Organization
Phonological Awareness Collection
The Phonological Awareness activities are designed to facilitate the practice of foundational early literacy skills within the following categories:
Collection | Unit |
Initial Sound ID |
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Final Sound ID |
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Rhyming |
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Segmentation |
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Blending |
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Phonics Collection
The Phonics activities will be released with the final version of this program, later this year. Stay tuned for additional details of our Phonics collection, currently in development!
Application
Goal Overview
SPARKLE focuses on foundational literacy skills, divided into the core areas outlined below:
Core Area of Focus | Target Skills | Status |
Phonological Awareness | Rhyming, syllable segmentation, onset-rime blending | Available Now! |
Phonemic Awareness | Phoneme identification, blending, segmentation | Available Now! |
Phonics | CVC words, digraphs, consonant blends, CVCe long vowel patterns | Coming Soon! |
Each unit is designed to scaffold learning, moving from simpler skills to more advanced concepts.
Methodology of Skill Instruction
Phonological Awareness Collection
There is one skill instruction for all activities within the Phonological Awareness Collection. Each section of the Phonological Awareness Skill Instruction is dedicated to one of the following concepts: Initial Sound ID, Final Sound ID, Rhyming, Segmentation, Blending.
Check out an in-depth walkthrough of the Phonological Awareness Skill Instruction here.
Phonics Collection
The Phonics activities will be released with the final version of this program, later this year. Stay tuned for additional details of our Phonics collection, currently in development!
Use Cases
Therapy or MTSS Use: Individuals or Groups
SPARKLE can be incorporated into speech-language therapy sessions or MTSS interventions. Its structured activities systematically support phonological and phonemic awareness development.
Home Practice
Educators can assign SPARKLE activities for home practice, allowing students to continue developing their literacy skills outside the classroom or therapy setting.
Evidence
Evidence | Expression in Program |
Explicit phonemic awareness instruction, such as phoneme segmentation and blending, improves literacy outcomes (National Reading Panel, 2000). | SPARKLE incorporates activities targeting phoneme segmentation, blending, and manipulation as key components of its intervention. |
Structured phonemic awareness training enhances decoding and reading fluency (Ehri et al., 2001). | Structured activities guide students through progressively challenging tasks to develop decoding and fluency skills. |
Teaching phonological awareness at various levels (words, syllables, phonemes) is critical for literacy development (Gillon, 2004). | SPARKLE progresses from larger sound units (syllables) to smaller ones (phonemes) in a systematic hierarchy. |
Multisensory phonics techniques promote engagement and retention (Smith et al., 2013). | SPARKLE uses digital tools, games, and interactive elements to engage learners in multisensory phonics practice. |
Systematic instruction in phonics improves early reading skills and spelling (National Reading Panel, 2000). | SPARKLE includes decodable stories and focused phonics units to practice and reinforce critical reading and spelling skills. |
Evidence-based Program Use
Incorporate phonological awareness activities into structured, small-group or one-on-one sessions.
Use SPARKLEās progression of skills to start students at their appropriate level and build complexity as they master foundational concepts.
Integrate decodable stories and contextual activities into phonics lessons to make the skills practical.