Wild Reading® Level 2

The curriculum is organized into thematic units that combine outdoor exploration, games, and simple workbook activities. Each week focuses on a specific skill (like blends, sight words, or reading fluency) taught through nature-based play and short, structured exercises. Lessons are flexible, allowing families to adapt the pace and activities to their child’s needs.

This program is perfect for active, hands-on learners who resist traditional desk work or thrive with movement. It suits kids who enjoy nature, need frequent breaks, or learn best through visuals and touch. Struggling readers who feel overwhelmed by worksheets may also benefit from the low-pressure, exploratory style.

Wild Reading may not work for families who prefer a highly structured, workbook-heavy approach or lack outdoor space. Kids who dislike hands-on activities or need strict routines might find the open-ended lessons challenging. It also requires caregiver involvement, which may not suit families seeking independent work.

Wild Reading is a good fit for children with ADHD because it offers a flexible, engaging, and multisensory approach that helps maintain focus and interest. Each week is anchored by an imaginative story that captures attention and creates a meaningful context for learning. The hands-on activities—like building words, drawing letters, moving outdoors, and exploring nature—give kids the chance to move their bodies and learn through doing, which can be especially helpful for those who struggle with sitting still. The consistent weekly rhythm provides structure without being rigid, allowing families to adjust the pace based on the child’s energy and attention levels.

Wild Reading can be a good fit for children with dyslexia because it combines structured, science-based phonics instruction with a gentle, multisensory approach that supports diverse learning needs. The program introduces letter sounds and phonics skills sequentially, helping children build a strong foundation in decoding. Its hands-on activities, such as using a moveable alphabet and engaging with stories, tap into visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning styles—an approach often recommended for dyslexic learners. The rhythm and repetition built into each week, along with decodable books and explicit instruction, offer the kind of consistency and practice that many children with dyslexia benefit from.

Kids should recognize most letters and their sounds (as introduced in Wild Reading Level 1 or similar programs). Basic phonemic awareness (like blending simple CVC words) is helpful but not required—the curriculum builds these skills progressively. A curiosity about language and the outdoors is the real key!

Parents actively guide lessons by setting up activities, playing games, and providing gentle reading support. No teaching expertise is needed, but engagement is key—think of it as playful coaching rather than formal instruction. Ideal for caregivers who enjoy creative, collaborative learning.

Due to the nature of digital products, there is no way to return the product after it is received. Therefore, all sales are final. We know this is disappointing! Unfortunately, people abuse returning digital products to gain free copies.

Follow your child’s interests! If they love bugs, have them read or spell bug-related words; if they’re drawn to water play, write letters in mud. The more you tie lessons to their passions, the more motivated they’ll be. Repeat favorite games to reinforce skills without pressure.

Both levels of Wild Reading™ have a list of material on their info pages.

The main required materials needed for Level 1 are:

Bob Books Beginning Readers ($10)
Fun Tales Readers ($20)
Moveable alphabet (DIY versions up to around $30)
Sidewalk chalk (varies $1-10 depending on where you purchase and how much)
Materials for level 2:

Field guides for your geographic area
Moveable alphabet (DIY versions up to around $30)
Sidewalk chalk (varies $1-10 depending on where you purchase and how much)
The Alphabet Series Volume 2 by Frances Bloom and Mary Geiger (Books 19-29) (available at Rainbow Resources, School Specialty, and Christian Book all have international shipping) (See below about a digital alternative if these are unavailable or out of your budget)
If you are unable to source the Alphabet Book Series or they are out of your budget, I suggest these digital readers instead. Please be aware that these are not a perfect substitution, the sight words and skills may not align perfectly and are much shorter than the Alphabet Book Series.

I suggest the following digital readers from Grade School Snapshots on the Teachers Pay Teachers Website. The four sets of readers are approximately $24 plus printing costs.

Set 7, 8, 11, 12, and 14 of the Decodable Readers to Support the Science of Reading by Grade School Snapshots found at: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Grade-School-Snapshots/Category/Decodable-Books-487112

See the alternative reader sequence here