sh ch th later
Clear phonics steps.
Each book focuses on a clear set of phonics patterns. Book 1 begins with three-sound, short-vowel words. Grown-up guidance helps with the occasional story word that needs an extra explanation.
Books by Emily Wrenford
Small steps toward independent reading and writing.
Step-by-step workbooks for early reading and handwriting, designed to give children support when they need it and gradually remove that support as their skills grow.
Designed for parents, homeschool families, tutors and growing learners.
- 5published workbooks
- 128activity pages in Book 1
- Ages 4–8pre-K through Grade 1
- Answer keyin every title
Meet the playful side of the WordwayA little practice.
A little practice.
A whole new adventure.
Follow Wren and a friendly puppy through free word games, from first CVC words to digraphs and blends.
Explore the GamesFree to play. No account needed. One small round at a time.
Read. Build. Play. Start here
Where should my child start?
Choose the skill that sounds most like what your child is working on now.
My child knows letter sounds but is learning to read simple words.
Start with CVC Words
Practice short-vowel words such as cat, bed, pig, hop and sun.
See CVC WordsMy child can read simple CVC words.
Move to Consonant Digraphs
Learn patterns such as sh, ch and th, where two letters work together to spell one sound.
See DigraphsMy child is comfortable with CVC words and common digraphs.
Try Consonant Blends
Practice words where consonants sit together and both sounds can still be heard.
See BlendsWe are working on pencil control and first handwriting.
Start with Trace, Draw & Write
Move from lines and shapes into letters and first words.
Explore Handwriting The reading path
Follow the Wordway
Each book builds on the skills before it, while still giving children enough practice to work at their own pace.
- CVC Words
Sounds become words.
- Consonant Digraphs
Two letters can work together as one sound.
- Consonant Blends
Two consonants together, both sounds heard.
- First Stories
Connected reading becomes a story.
Coming later
The method
Support fades on purpose.
The same skill, three stages apart. Pictures and cues help at first, then disappear — so you can see whether your child is reading the word or guessing from the picture.
- Guided
A picture, a box for every sound, and a line to write the word.
- Mixed
The picture stays, the letters are jumbled. More of the work moves to the child.
- Independent
No picture, no boxes, no cue. Just the words.
What makes it different
Practice with a clear purpose.
Read it. Spell it. Use it.
Decoding and spelling are practiced on the same words, then used in phrases, sentences and short passages with questions. Children practice using the words they have learned.
Built for grown-ups too.
There is a one-line Grown-Up Tip on almost every page, telling you exactly what to say when your child gets stuck. No phonics background needed, nothing to prepare.
Inside the books
See what the practice actually looks like.
A workbook should be more than a cover. These are real pages from CVC Words, in the order a child meets them.
Build the word Word families Mastery check
Actual pages from CVC Words Workbook. Select any page to see it full size.
Handwriting
Handwriting with somewhere to go.
Practice should build toward something more interesting than another row of copied letters.
-
Trace, Draw & Write
Step 1 Available nowLines become shapes. Shapes become letters. Letters become first words.
Move → Trace → Draw → Form → Write
See Trace, Draw & Write
Free sample
Try Wrenford Wordway at home.
Download a small sample pack and see whether the format feels right for your child before choosing a workbook.
- A short guide for grown-ups
- A guided page with pictures and sound boxes
- A word-building page
- An independent page with no picture clues
Free CVC Starter Pack
An 8-page PDF with six real workbook pages, including a grown-up guide. No email address or account needed.
Download the CVC sample
Find the next small step.
Two paths, one at a time. Start wherever your child is right now.
Available on Amazon.