Phonics
Letter sounds, blending sounds into words, and patterns such as sh, ch and silent e, taught in a clear order.
English & reading · Grades K–2
Online English classes for grades K–2
Wren School’s online English classes for grades K–2 are live, 50-minute lessons that meet twice a week in groups of 2, 4 or 8. Young children learn phonics, sight words and reading fluency, and write their first sentences and stories, with a background-checked tutor in the US or Canada. Plans start at $399 a month, and the first class is free.
Your first class is free. No payment details needed.
- Live, never pre-recorded
- Groups of 2, 4 or 8
- US and Canada-based tutors
- Background-checked
- Free first class
What your child learns in grades K–2 English
The main topics we teach in this band. Each group works at its own level, so the exact order depends on where the children are.
Sound play
Rhyming, clapping syllables and hearing the separate sounds in a word, the skills that make phonics easier.
High-frequency words
Common words like “the” and “said”, practised until they are automatic.
Reading fluency
Reading aloud every class with gentle correction, so reading becomes smooth and expressive.
First writing
Writing sentences and short stories, sounding out words and using capital letters and full stops.
What a typical week looks like
Your child has two live 50-minute classes a week with the same small group. A K–2 class moves quickly between sound games, a short phonics lesson, reading aloud from a shared text and a small writing task. In a small group every child reads aloud in every class, which is hard to arrange in a full classroom.
Is this the right class for your child?
A good fit for
- Children learning to read who need more practice than school can give
- Early readers who are ready for harder books
- Children who are shy about reading aloud in a big class
Probably not the right fit
- Children who need a specialist reading intervention or a diagnostic assessment. Talk to your school about that first.
- Children who aren’t yet ready for a 50-minute video call, even with breaks.
How we place your child
Children are grouped by grade and current level, not just age. The free trial class shows us where your child is, and if a group turns out to be too easy or too hard, we move them.
Choose a group size
Same tutor quality and the same topics in every size. Smaller groups give each child more individual time.
Group of 2
Near one-on-one attention with a study partner. Best for closing gaps or moving fast.
From $949 / month · about $119 a class
CAD $1,299 / month
Group of 4
Plenty of individual time plus real discussion. Our most balanced option.
From $649 / month · about $81 a class
CAD $899 / month
Group of 8
Small, never crowded. Every child still speaks up, with more ideas in the room.
From $399 / month · about $50 a class
CAD $549 / month
Prices are per child per month for 8 live 50-minute classes (two a week). See full pricing.
Questions about grades K–2 English classes
What age should a child start phonics?
Most schools start systematic phonics in kindergarten or grade 1. If your child knows some letter sounds and enjoys stories, they are usually ready for a small-group class.
My child guesses words from pictures. Is that a problem?
It is common, but children need to learn to sound words out rather than guess. Tutors gently steer them back to the letters, which builds the habit that later reading depends on.
How can I help at home between classes?
Read with your child for 10 to 15 minutes a day, let them read some words to you, and talk about the story. The tutor can suggest what to practise.
How much do online English classes for grades K–2 cost?
Plans are per child per month for 8 live 50-minute classes: from $399 for a group of 8, $649 for a group of 4 and $949 for a group of 2 (CAD $549, $899 and $1,299). The first trial class is free, with no payment details needed.
How often do classes meet?
Groups meet twice a week for 50 minutes, which makes 8 live classes a month. Your child stays in the same small group, so the tutor gets to know how each student thinks.
Try a grades K–2 English class, free
Book a free trial class. We’ll place your child by grade and level, and you can see how a small live class feels before you commit.
Your first class is free. No payment details needed.