WordLab & WonderLab

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 virtual, interactive groups children investigate the stories that words tell, using linguistic evidence to build their spelling, vocabulary, and reading.

How can I bring WordLab or WonderLab to my students or organization?

WordLab is a wonderful complement to existing programming — our team of experts provides academic enrichment via innovative remote or in-person instruction. We provide WordLab across the East Bay and in San Francisco, CA. For remote, we guide your staff, volunteers, or teachers to facilitate in-person activities.

Fun, interactive activities for small and large groups are designed to deepen students' understanding of the structure and organization of written language, build confidence, and foster a sense of community.

You provide the students and caring adults, we provide the reading specialists and hours of exciting, meaningful learning!

Contact us to learn more about how WordLab can support your organization!
team@wordsinthewild.org

What is WordLab?

An opportunity to build reading & writing skills in a small community guided by expert teachers. Word scientists will discover that English is a well-ordered system (yes, really!). Sessions 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 EXPLORATIONS

In a group of 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

One of our teachers using multi-sensory instruction as students practice building words

Example of using morpheme cards to make a matrix for the base <help> (as an alternative to writing out the morphemes)

Virtual whiteboard brainstorming with multi-grade group on the plants we eat

What is WonderLab?

Word and nature explorations for our Kinder friends!

A high-energy, hands-on literacy program for emergent readers and writers. Our team has modified our successful WordLab program to meet the needs of Kindergarten students who are just beginning to experience the joys of independent reading and engaging with the world through expressive writing with invented spellings.

In shorter, 1-hour sessions, WonderLab will guide students through projects that spark curiosity and engage all 5 senses as we explore our first topic: Bugs, Bees, and Butterflies. WonderLab will teach these young scientists to observe and ask questions about the world around them, laying the groundwork for deep nature and language investigations.

Our Approach

Adaptable for virtual instruction!

If meeting remotely, our skilled team is ready with a steady stream of tested, tried-and-true techniques to engage students through an online format.

Students receive a care package with supplies to facilitate getting off their screens and investigate the world around them
Printable handouts & word cards to use as hands-on manipulatives
During scheduled video call times, we intersperse non-screen activities

Keep reading for more info!

How is our approach unique?

Evidence-based: Structured Word Inquiry approach to language and literacy development
Student-Centered: Taught by educational therapists and graduate students with experience connecting with diverse learners
Strengths-based: We get to know your child’s interest, hobbies, and skills and develop their strengths
Hands-on: Custom field journals — and other provided supplies — offer a way to practice spelling a vocabulary while documenting the natural world

WordLab is appropriate for students seeking support and enrichment.
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.

While learning about nature, children develop critical literacy skills in:

reading and understanding text
enjoying and using text for a purpose
building oral and print vocabulary
making connections between spelling and meaning
writing independently and fluently

We de-emphasize reading for reading’s sake. Instead children apply scientific practices to studying language AND nature, such as:

observing closely
recording data
making predictions
comparing evidence to hypotheses

What else do you offer?

Join us for Storytime and check out some of our free downloads for fun activities you can do with your kids now!

1:1 Intensive Reading/Writing Intervention

If your child needs more support, educational therapy deepens reading and writing skills through individualized instruction with a teacher who specializes in emerging readers. We use a Structured Word Inquiry approach to build a deep and lasting understanding of English spelling and vocabulary in order to ultimately improve reading comprehension. Recent research has shown that teaching through morphology is more effective than phonics alone, and in particular for students with learning differences.

Our approach — grounded in research and infused with joy — builds reading and writing skills and confidence by teaching children to investigate words in the same ways that they’d investigate the details of a maple leaf or a butterfly.

Learn more

Family Literacy Workshops

Let's explore ways to share the joy of reading and writing — as a natural part of a busy family's day. Using a strengths-based perspective, our workshops identify ways that families already practice shared literacy, with special attention to families with special needs. We will also come up with new activities that work for your complex lives — so bring your curiosity!

In our workshops, we explore multilingual storytelling, audiobooks, neighborhood exploring, and other fun and connecting ways that families can foster a love of reading in their young children.