Literacy Learning at Your School or Organization
Evidence-based: Grounded in the science of reading and aligned with High Impact Tutoring principles.
Child-Centered: Trauma informed, strengths based approaches repair relationships with learning.
Explicit and Inquisitive: Through Structured Word Inquiry, literacy games, and nature journaling we provide direct instruction and opportunities for curiosity and discovery. Really.
Collaborative: We work closely with school staff to align curriculum assessment, and instruction for seamless student support.
WordLab: Supplemental Literacy Tutoring
Joyful and effective tutoring for individuals and small groups. We cultivate foundational skills and language comprehension on campus for grades K-8.
Words in the Wild serves public and independent schools as well as youth-serving organizations in the SF Bay Area. We are a certified Oakland Unified School District literacy provider for school day and after school services.
Examples of emergent (left/top) and advanced (right/bottom) student work: matrix and accompanying word sums for the base <call>, along with a self-portraits, inspired by Maya Cristina Gonzalez’s book Llamame Árbol/Call Me Tree.
WonderLab Enrichment
For a lighter touch and larger groups, we offer an opportunity to build reading & writing skills in a small community guided by expert teachers. The best part of this is that we can partner with school day teachers for job embedded professional development!
Word scientists will discover that English is a well-ordered system (yes, really!) by first building skills in nature observation. Typical sessions are 1-2x/week and include:
Opening Circle: children get to know their peers and engage in collaborative brainstorming sessions
Breakout Groups: age-specific activities to promote targeted literacy skills where kids share findings from their nature and word explorations
Read Alouds: shared reading to build comprehension and vocabulary
Music and Movement: we get kids moving to practice rhythm, build core strength (essential for writing!), and encourage lots of laughter
Large Group: interactive explorations and hands-on projects
Closing Circle: time for reflection and more community building
Hands-On, Interactive Exploration
In a group of about 6-10 friends, word scientists:
Improve spelling, expand vocabulary, and deepen reading comprehension through Structured Word Inquiry (reading instruction based on linguistics)
Investigate words in context and explore stories of words to deepen understanding
Use these spelling and vocabulary skills to develop stronger reading comprehension
Move their bodies with built-in movement breaks, observation challenges, hands-on activities, and nature explorations
Young scientists documenting their observations with words, pictures, numbers, and arrows.
A “plants we eat” unit: These scientists are observing and documenting unit at a local farmers market in preparation for a tasting lab.
Literacy embedded in nature!
Our approach to reading — grounded in research and infused with joy — builds literacy skills AND confidence. Our young word scientists investigate words in the same ways that they’d investigate the details of an oak leaf or a butterfly.
At WordLab, young scientists sharpen their powers of inquiry as they observe, document, and explore both language and nature. In interactive groups children investigate the stories that words tell, using linguistic evidence to build their spelling, vocabulary, and reading.
We find the nature everywhere, and even bring it into the classroom when necessary.
What else do you offer?
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Free Literacy Activities for Families
Foster a love for reading and writing at home while building connection with less stress and more joy!
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Tutoring & Educational Therapy
Our teachers design a program tailored to your child’s needs, interests, and passions. Struggling readers & writers build skills AND confidence!
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![Kids doing a garden scavenger hunt]()
Family Literacy Events
We bring joyful learning opportunities directly to your school or community organization- connecting families with everyday literacy activities.
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Words in the Wild Summer Camp
Campers grow their love of reading and writing as they set off into the ‘wild’ for a summer of outdoor adventure, science investigations, and friendship!
