If you’ve ever wondered how reading and writing really come together, it starts with encoding and decoding. These core skills are at the heart of Orton-Gillingham. In this video, I’ll walk you through the difference between the two, and show you engaging ways to practice them with your students.

Teaching Encoding and Decoding (Video)

The Orton-Gillingham approach is built to be structured, step-by-step, and cumulative. Each lesson builds on what came before, and students are expected to have a strong grasp of one concept before moving on. Generally, we want about 95% mastery before introducing the next skill.

Encoding (spelling) and decoding (reading) are taught side by side, because they reinforce each other. When students learn a new phoneme, they practice recognizing it in words (decoding) and writing it themselves (encoding). This back-and-forth helps cement the connection between sounds and the letters—or letter combinations—that represent them.

Depending on a student’s needs, the balance can shift. Some learners may need extra decoding practice to build reading fluency, while others need more encoding work to strengthen spelling and writing. Orton-Gillingham is designed to be flexible, so teachers, tutors, and even parents can adjust lessons to meet the child where they are.

Example: Early Encoding and Decoding Practice

In beginning lessons, phonogram cards are a key tool. The student sees a card, says the letter’s name, its sound, and a keyword that matches. For instance, a card with “B” might prompt: B – /b/ – bat. The student can also trace the letter while repeating the sound and keyword, which taps into multisensory learning.

This kind of activity leans heavily on encoding—students are producing the sound and word connections themselves—but it also sets the stage for decoding. By strengthening the sound-symbol link, they’re better equipped to recognize those patterns in reading.

Go HERE for the full article on Encoding and Decoding including activities!

Ready-made lessons to make Teaching Encoding & Decoding MUCH easier!

Start with the OGforALL Scope and Sequence Workbooks and add in drill cards, and packets and readers as needed.

OGforALL Workbook Store: https://bit.ly/3llnvDp
Scope & Sequence Workbooks: https://bit.ly/2YN0XDP
Teachers Pay Teachers Store

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