: Orton-Gillingham – Resource Guide

 

🧠 Orton-Gillingham Blog: Effective Literacy Strategies in Special Education

1. Introduction: What is Orton-Gillingham?

The Orton-Gillingham (OG) approach is a scientifically-based and structured literacy program developed to support students with dyslexia or other reading difficulties. It was created in the 1930s by Dr. Samuel Orton, a neuropsychiatrist, and Anna Gillingham, an educator. OG emphasizes multisensory learning, engaging visual, auditory, and kinesthetic-tactile pathways simultaneously. Today, it is widely used in special education classrooms around the world.

💡 OG helps students remember by seeing the word, saying the sound, and writing the letter.

2. 7 Core Strategies of OG 

1.      1. Multisensory Instruction

Involves using sight, sound, touch, and movement simultaneously.
Example: When learning the letter 'd', the student says the sound, sees the card, and writes it with their finger.

2.   Sequential Learning

Concepts are introduced in a logical progression: from phonemes → words → sentences.
Example: After learning /b/ and /a/, move to 'ba', then 'bat'.

3.  Cumulative Review

Each new lesson includes review of previously taught content.
Example: Even when introducing 'sh', review past blends like 'ch' and 'th'.

4. Explicit Instruction

Clearly explains rules and reinforces them through repetition.
Example: Teach that 'ck' appears only at the end of short vowel words.

5. Diagnostic and Prescriptive Teaching

Lessons are adjusted based on the student’s responses.
Example: If a student struggles with vowel sounds, repeat and scaffold activities.

6. Synthetic Phonics

Combines individual sounds to form words.
Example: /s/ + /a/ + /t/ = sat

    7. Decodable Texts

Ues controlled vocabulary aligned with what students have learned.
Example: Sentences like 'The fat cat sat.'

3. Practical Tips for Using the OG Approach

The OG approach is not just theoretical—it must be applied practically in real classroom settings. Below are useful tips for Educational Assistants (EAs), teachers, and parents.

📅 Sample Daily OG Routine

1. Warm-up (5 min): Review letter-sound cards
2. New Sound Lesson (10 min): Introduce with tiles/cards
3. Writing Practice (10 min): Use tactile tools
4. Word Building & Reading (10 min): Blend learned sounds
5. Sentence Reading (5 min): Use decodable text
6. Wrap-up & Review (5 min): Recap and praise

💡 Best Practices

- Keep sessions short and frequent
- Adjust pace to the student’s needs
- Provide immediate feedback
- Add fun: use games and puzzles
- Reinforce consistently at home

4. Visual Examples and Descriptions

1. OG sound tiles with color-coded cards – helps distinguish consonants and vowels
2. Student tracing letters with finger – engages motor memory
3. Decodable text examples – simple and predictable sentences like 'The fat cat sat.'

5. Recommended Video Summaries

▶️ 1. Intro to Orton-Gillingham

- Covers the background and structure of OG
- Shows multisensory teaching and use of decodable texts

▶️ 2. How to Teach OG at Home
- Demonstrates how parents can apply OG at home

- Includes flashcards, magnetic letters, and tactile boards

6. Conclusion and Implementation Suggestions

Orton-Gillingham is more than a reading method—it's a brain-based learning approach that activates all senses. When EAs, teachers, and parents apply OG techniques with consistency and clarity, students with learning challenges can gain confidence and experience academic success.

🎯 Practical Checklist for EAs and Teachers

- Did I review previously learned sounds?
- Did I teach the new sound using multisensory methods?
- Did I give immediate and clear feedback?
- Were activities cumulative and repetitive?
- Was the pace appropriate for the student’s level?