The Orton-Gillingham Approach

The Orton-Gillingham Approach

An institute for multi sensory education founded by Samuel T. Orton and Anna Gillingham. 

Samual and Anna orginally created it with dyslexic students in mind, but over the last couple years it has been incorporated in general classrooms for all students. This approach explicitly teaches students the elements of language. It even teaches students how to decode and encode language which will help them become better readers. 

Students stay engaged with this approach because it gets students moving and actively involved in their learning. Students are able to practice independently and gain more confidence in their schoolwork. This practice also gives them the ability to attack new words. The Orton-Gillingham Approach builds language into the students world and meets each student where they are at. The Orton-Gillingham Approach has proven to show student growth. 

OG Strategies

Visual cues are constantly used throughout the lesson and used to assist in writing. 

Card Drills

Vowel Intensive

Letter Formation Techniques

Spelling Strategies 

Decoding of Words

Tapping Out Words (pound hand)

Repetition to Enhance Automaticity

Structured and Sequential Leaning Experiences

In the Classroom:

The Orton-Gillinham Approach is very easy for teachers to incorporate in the classroom. It improves reading and writing. Students were excited they could remember what they learned and could use strategies to attack a new word. Students start to learn their strengths through this approach. The Orton-Gillingham Approach is sequential. This is important because it helps the teacher and gives more understanding for the students. This approach is used in grades K+. 

What I Learned and How I Will Implement the Orton-Gillingham Approach in My Classroom:

I learned the value of finding other resources to incorporate in your classroom beyond the curriculum. If Orton-Gillingham is not used at the school system I am placed at, I will definitely incorporate some of the strategies and approaches to their teaching method. I really like how this approach goes so in depth in learning the English language through reading and writing. It shows the importance to learning and gives a purpose for the students as well. I learned that this approach reaches so many different learning styles and gets students active in their learning. It is amazing to see how effective this approach is and the impact it has on the students.