I spent a year taking a course on the Orton Gillingham (OG) method of teaching reading and spelling. I took the class at The Schenck School, a school specifically for dyslexic children. My teacher was a dynamic woman named Rosalie Davis. She was hands down the best teacher I have ever encountered. Or, was it that what she was teaching was so enchanting? I think the answer is both.
What makes OG a special method for teaching kids to read and spell is that it is multi-sensory. What that means is, students of OG are taught to see, hear and feel each element of the language. Students are required to see it and say it, then say it and write it. The method starts with the most basic part of the language, the letter sounds, and builds from there. At the end of the course I took, I felt I had a complete knowledge of the English language.
The completeness came from multiple layers of learning. I was taught letters and letter combinations, correct letter pronunciation, and the best order for the letters to be taught. And it wasn’t in the same order as the Alphabet Song. I also learned a way to divide words into syllable types. This made word pronunciation much easier because there were rules associated with each syllable type. I was taught spelling rules, plural rules, and doubling rules which made it easier to read and spell words. I learned a ton about where English words came from, how they relate to other languages, and how to break down a word to discover its meaning just by knowing the parts.
Most of all, I was given a tool to teach others how to learn the language as well. I became a tutor of Orton Gillingham. I love words. I always have and taking this course made me love words more. I have created this platform because I believe in the Orton Gillingham method for teaching English. I think all people could benefit from this information, not just dyslexic kids. Although, it is amazing what it can do for someone dyslexic.
Kids and adults alike can benefit from Orton Gillingham. Please do not use this site as a substitute for tutoring. There is nothing like one on one treatment for someone struggling and a website like this will not compensate. But if you want to learn some rules and information about English that can help with learning, this is your site.
Thanks for visiting!
(9) Comments
So glad I found your blog! I’m in The Schenck School course w/ Rosalie right now! I just came home from class tonight and needed to review the vowel sounds/spellings after our quiz today and just happened to find your blog! I’ve only read 4 posts, but have already bookmarked your blog. I feel like your posts are a review of our classes, which I really need because she gives us so much information in 2 hours that it’s hard to take it all in. Thank you, thank you!
You are very welcome. I loved the class! And you are right, it is a lot to take in. I’m so glad my blog is a help. Feel free to ask if you have any questions or if there is something you are working on and would like to see a post. You are also welcome to write a guest blog about OG or anything you experience while learning OG.
Is there a “must have’ book list that you can’t live without now that you’re tutoring?
I use Unlocking the Power of Print — it is where your Scope & Sequence in class comes from. Also, How to Teach Spelling (although I do not use this one as much, it is a great resource). Rosalie said she was going to start incorporating more lesson plans in the class. I think that will be your most valuable tool — I would make a special binder of those, if she is now doing that.
Hi do you have a list of the letter rules?
Hi Vera, can you be more specific on the letters you want to know about? I’m not sure of a category of letter rules.