What is Orton-Gillingham?

Orton-Gillingham is an evidence-based approach to teaching reading and writing. 
It is essential for those who have dyslexia, and is sound instruction for all learners.  
It has several key features:

• Individualized
  Lessons are tailored to fit the student’s needs, learning styles, and interests.

• Multisensory
  Lessons incorporate all learning pathways to the brain: visual, auditory, kinesthetic (movement), and tactile (touch).

• Direct
  Students are taught in a clear, straightforward way.  

• Sequential and Cumulative (but Flexible)
  Instruction follows a logical sequence and moves from simple to complex. Concepts are continually reinforced.  All instructional decisions are based on the student’s actions in real-time.

• Diagnostic
  The student’s performance is continually monitored to assess areas of need and responsiveness to instruction.  Information from each lesson is used to create the subsequent lesson.

• Synthetic and Analytic
  Synthetic instruction progresses from the parts to the whole.  When reading, the student blends sounds, then syllables into whole words.
  Analytic instruction moves from the whole to the parts.  When spelling, the student segments words into individual sounds. 

• Cognitive
  Students are engaged in an active understanding of what they are learning, rather than relying on rote memorization.

• Emotionally Sound
  Students’ feelings about themselves and learning are of utmost importance.  All lessons guide the student to feel a sense of success and mastery of skills, which leads to greater self-confidence and motivation.