ThemeSpark

SUMMARY

Teachers can use ThemeSPARK’s online tools to create standards aligned rubrics and curriculum. ThemeSPARK’s tools are free to use, but premium versions of each tool will be offered in the near future.

GOALS

ThemeSPARK helps K-12 teachers build rubrics and lessons grounded in national standards, including Common Core and Next Generation. The company’s suite of online tools is designed to assist teachers in creating curriculum that uses project based learning principles.

APPROACH

Currently, ThemeSPARK offers two online curriculum creation tools; the first of these is called the ThemeSPARK Rubric Maker Tool. Once teachers sign up for an account, they can quickly build standards-based rubrics. To begin, teachers are prompted to select the grade, subject and standards they would like their rubric to cover. In addition to the above selections, teachers have the option to add a "21st Century Skills" component to the rubric. ThemeSPARK then generates a rubric that maps each standard or component selected by the teacher to students’ performance.

The second tool, called the ThemeSPARK Lesson Builder Tool, can be used to add standards-based lessons to any educational resource (e.g. textbooks, videos). The Lesson Builder Tool includes instructional videos to assist teachers in expanding and adapting their curriculum, with a special focus on incorporating applied skills practice and project based learning to lessons.

IMPLEMENTATION

ThemeSPARK is browser based.

PRICING

ThemeSPARK’s tools are free to use. However, premium versions of each tool will be available in the future.

WHO IS USING IT

As of August 2015, over 1,000 teachers in more than 100 schools use ThemeSPARK’s rubric and curriculum creation tools.