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The Orton-Gillingham Approach to Reading and Spelling

When I developed All About Reading and All About Spelling, I combined the key features of the Orton-Gillingham approach with the latest research and proven spelling rules. But why? What’s so special about Orton-Gillingham?

Owl pointing to the words "The Orton-Gillingham Approach"

What Is Orton-Gillingham?

Orton-Gillingham (OG) is a powerful approach to teaching reading and spelling that uses instruction that is multisensory, sequential, incremental, cumulative, individualized, phonics-based, and explicit. Though often touted primarily as an instructional method for children with dyslexia and other learning challenges, the OG approach helps make reading and spelling easy for all children.

Who Were Orton and Gillingham?

Dr. Samuel T. Orton (1879-1948) was a pioneer in the study and understanding of dyslexia. He studied numerous children with language processing issues and eventually developed teaching principles designed to help these children learn language more effectively. One of Dr. Orton’s students, Anna Gillingham (1878-1963), further developed Orton’s ideas and eventually combined his teaching methods with her own understanding of language structure. The first Orton-Gillingham manual was published in 1935.

Why Does the Orton-Gillingham Approach Work?

The Orton-Gillingham approach helps take the mystery out of reading and spelling by focusing on why words are spelled the way they are. Though the English language contains just 26 letters, these letters combine to create approximately 44 speech sounds, and there are over 250 ways to spell those sounds. But the OG approach translates the spelling of these sounds into phonograms and demystifies reading and spelling by teaching students to apply rules and generalizations that help make what was once difficult much easier! (Click to download our Orton-Gillingham Approach poster!)

7 features of Orton-Gillingham infographic

In a nutshell, Orton-Gillingham works because it …

  • instills confidence;
  • helps children overcome learning disorders;
  • makes it easier for children to learn to read, including children with dyslexia and other learning challenges.

Are you ready to explore all the features that make the Orton-Gillingham approach so effective? Read on!

What Are the Key Features and Benefits of the OG Approach?

  1. Multisensory

    Multisensory

    Multisensory instruction is the hallmark of the Orton-Gillingham approach. This technique focuses on the idea that when children learn through three major pathways to the brain—visual, auditory, and kinesthetic—they learn more than when they are taught through only one pathway. But the real power comes when you engage the senses of sight, sound, and touch all within the same lesson. So with the OG approach, you don’t have to figure out if your child has a particular learning preference because all three pathways are already built in to every lesson.

  2. Sequential

    Sequential

    When instruction is sequential, lessons are presented in a logical, well-planned sequence. This sequence allows children to make easy connections between what they already know and what they are currently learning–an important step in achieving long-term learning. And that makes learning a rewarding experience for your child.

  3. Incremental

    Incremental

    With incremental instruction, each lesson builds carefully upon the previous lesson. This helps your child move smoothly and naturally from simple concepts to more complex ones, ensuring that there are no gaps in his learning. It’s a lot like climbing a ladder: when lessons are incremental, each rung of the ladder helps your child get closer to the goal of reading and spelling. Even students who have experienced failure with other programs can learn to read and spell with this approach.

  4. Cumulative

    Cumulative

    Two of the most important components of cumulative learning are mastery and constant and consistent review of previously taught skills. When instruction is cumulative, students master one concept before moving on to a more advanced concept. Those concepts are further reinforced with review that is integrated into every lesson. The goal of mastery and review is to make sure that the brain permanently stores, manages, and retrieves information for later use; in short, to achieve learning that “sticks.” When a concept is learned and mastered, the goal of long-term learning has been reached.

  5. Individualized

    Individualized

    Because everyone learns differently, the Orton-Gillingham approach is always concerned with the needs of the individual. Anna Gillingham once said, “Go as fast as you can, but as slow as you must.” Curriculum that follows this approach makes it easy for you to teach to your child’s individual strengths while at the same time respecting the child’s pace. Consequently, this approach works for all ages—beginning readers, intermediate students, teens, and adults.

  6. Based on Phonograms

    Based on Phonograms

    The Orton-Gillingham approach simplifies the English language by focusing on why words are spelled the way they are. By teaching the phonograms and the rules and patterns that spell the vast majority of English words, the OG approach takes the guesswork out of reading and spelling. When a student has a working knowledge of the phonograms and their sounds, reading and spelling are much easier. In fact, even children with reading disorders like dyslexia can overcome the language processing issues associated with these disorders.

  7. Explicit

    Explicit

    In an Orton-Gillingham reading or spelling program, students are taught exactly what they need to know in a clear and straightforward manner. Students know what they are learning and why they’re learning it. This direct instructional approach helps children master skills and gain confidence. When instruction is explicit, there is no guessing, no ambiguity, and no confusion.

All About Reading and All About Spelling make it easy to use the Orton-Gillingham approach to teach reading and spelling. Our lightly scripted, open-and-go teacher’s manuals walk you through each step—with no experience, special training, or extra prep time required by you! You will be teaching like an expert from the very first lesson, and your child will receive all the benefits of this effective method.

For more details, be sure to download our free e-book, The Power of the Orton-Gillingham Approach. And let us know in the comments below if you have any questions about teaching reading and spelling. We’re here to help!

The Power of the Orton-Gillingham Approach

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Lora

says:

My child is struggling with this form of learning. Can someone please help me understand? His in 1st and coming to hate school and I don’t want him to be like that. Please, any help is appreciated.

Robin

says: Customer Service

I’m happy to help, Lora.

What is it you need help understanding? In what way is your child struggling? There could be a lot of reasons. One reason could be that some school implement an Orton-Gillingham based approach, but they move through the material at a pre-set pace that may be too quick for some of the students. Or, maybe your child needs more work with the Reading Readiness Skills, especially Phonological Awareness, so he isn’t ready for decoding work yet.

It’s hard to know what the issue may be without knowing more about what his struggles look like.

We can continue to discuss this here, or you can reach me at support@allaboutlearningpress.com. I’d love to hear from you to help you help your child.

LariJo

says:

Looking for this approach for my son.

Robin

says: Customer Service

Do you have any questions, LariJo? I’m happy to help.

Elizabeth Pollitt

says:

Hi
I am looking into this approach for my son.

Robin

says: Customer Service

Elizabeth,
I’m happy to help with any questions you may have about placement or anything else. May I help you?

Cathy Waldren

says:

How do I pick what level my 8yr old daughter going into 3 grade needs. Do I start at level 1

Robin

says: Customer Service

Good question, Cathy. We have placement tests to help you decide which level your student needs. Here is the link to our reading placement test and to our spelling placement test. Please note that most students will need different levels for reading and spelling.

Once you have done the placement tests with your daughter, let me know if you have questions or concerns. I’m happy to help! Particularly, let me know if there are specific concepts or skills that she has trouble with. I may be able to direct you to free resources to build up her knowledge in those areas.

Eileen

says:

Thanks.

Robin

says: Customer Service

You’re welcome, Eileen.

Jennifer Roberts

says:

Love this method

Robin

says: Customer Service

Thank you, Jennifer.

Christine C Gould

says:

Thank you! I’m a retired teacher trying to help my niece teach her four children three of which are dyslexic , and one of them high school .

Robin

says: Customer Service

You’re welcome, Christine! If you have any questions about placement or anything else, let me know. I’m happy to help!

Susan Van Nostrand

says:

All teachers should follow this strategy for learning. Every student learns different and multi-sensory teaching is crucial.

Robin

says: Customer Service

Thank you, Susan!

Sandra Nabayego

says:

Hi. I am a special needs teacher with students with dyslxia who needs to learn how to read and write. How do i begin helping them?

Robin

says: Customer Service

Sandra,
You can begin to help your students by ensuring they have mastered all the Reading Readiness Skills necessary for reading success. Very often, dyslexic students struggle with Phonological Awareness Skills. If these skills are not taught, these students may never be completely successful with reading.

Abigail Asante

says:

My child is 9 years but unable to read and write. Please what do you recommend.

Robin

says: Customer Service

I’m happy to help, Abigail.

We recommend you start with our All About Reading placement test. It will help you determine which level your child needs, even if he is unable to read at all.

Let me know how he does on the placement test, and which questions and skills he has trouble with. This will help me help you know what to do next and when to start All About Spelling as well.

As this blog post discusses, both All About Reading and All About Spelling are Orton-Gillingham based. This is a proven approach for helping students with dyslexia and other learning disabilities. Marie Rippel, author and creator of the programs, is a member of the International Dyslexia Association and has instructed graduate-level courses in Orton-Gillingham Literacy Training offered through Nicolet College in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. She has previously served on the Board of Directors of the Literacy Task Force in Wisconsin and tutored students for more than 20 years. Marie’s son is severely dyslexic, and being told by experts that he would never learn to read led directly to her creating All About Reading and All About Spelling. You can see a short video about her son’s story, Failure Is Not an Option.

Carolee Thompson

says:

I am interested in learning more about your approach to teaching reading and spelling.

Robin

says: Customer Service

Great to hear, Carolee! Do you have specific questions? I’m happy to help!

All About Reading and All About Spelling are:
Multisensory
Easy to Teach
Mastery-Based
Customizable

Thanks for your interest!

Marilyn

says:

I would love to hear of ideas that keep the child interested and not bored with the same old stuff.

Robin

says: Customer Service

Sure, Marilyn! We have lots of great activities and resources on our blog and website. Check out our Free Resources page, as well as our Reading blog posts and Spelling blog posts.

Is there something specific you were looking for? Let me know! I’m happy to help.

Anna Grigoli

says:

Please include me on the newsletter emails.

Robin

says: Customer Service

I have signed you up for the email newsletter, Anna. You should have received a welcome email by now. If you have not, please check your spam folder. If it is not there, please let me know.

June

says:

I’ve been using All About Reading and Spelling with our homeschooled 7 yo since last year and I am extremely happy with the progress he’s made. He started out struggling to read consonant blends at the end of kindergarten and has grown into a confident reader of chapter books in just under a year. Every aspect of the program is very well thought out! I wish a similarly well-developed and systematic curriculum existed for early writing (not spelling).

Robin E.

says: Customer Service

Wow, June! Your 7-year-old has made fantastic progress in such a short time. Way to go!

Lura

says:

The Orton Gillingham approach really helped me as a teenager become a better speller.

Robin E.

says: Customer Service

That is wonderful to hear, Lura!

Yvonne

says:

love to get tips

Edward

says:

Need the help

Robin E.

says: Customer Service

Do you have any questions or need help, Edward? I’m happy to help.

Shannon Ham

says:

I would love to receive your newsletter.

Robin E.

says: Customer Service

I signed you up for the newlsetter, Shannon.

Stacy M.

says:

I don’t know what I would do without OG resources readily available for parents to work with their children individually.

Robin E.

says: Customer Service

I’m glad you have found Orton-Gillingham materials so helpful, Stacy!

Vic

says:

Very helpful

Robin E.

says: Customer Service

Glad to hear it was helpful, Vic!

audrey

says:

please send me updates.

YaadStyle Homeschooling

says:

A very thoughtful and practical approach to teaching reading and spelling. Thank you for simplifying it for me.

Robin E.

says: Customer Service

You’re welcome.

Aini

says:

Thank you for explaining this approach to reading! I need it for my job teaching autism kids.

Robin E.

says: Customer Service

You’re welcome, Aini. I’m glad this was helpful for you. If you haven’t seen it yet, I think you will find our Teaching Reading and Spelling to Children with Autism blog post helpful as well.

Geetha Naransamy

says:

I would love to know more

Robin E.

says: Customer Service

I’m happy to help, Geetha! Do you have specific questions I can address? Would you like to know more about All About Reading, All About Spelling, or something else?

Amanda M

says:

Thank you for explaining this approach to reading! I need it for my two adopted daughters who are struggling to read and spell.

Robin E.

says: Customer Service

You’re welcome, Amanda. If you have specific questions or concerns, I’m happy to help!

GG

says:

This is so interesting!

Robin E.

says: Customer Service

I’m glad you found this interesting! If you have any questions or would like more information, please let us know.

Deb Kiser

says:

I need this!

Jenna

says:

I am going to start homeschooling my 7th grade son. He has audio processing issues, adhd, and dyslexia. Spelling is a major struggle. His reading has improved greatly but is still not on grade level. I don’t know where to start him. It feels so weird to think about starting him at level 1 as a 12 year old. Advice?

Robin E.

says: Customer Service

Jenna,
I understand your concerns, but with a student that struggles with spelling, it is best to start at Level 1 no matter their age. Often older students struggle with spelling because they have gaps in the foundational skills and knowledge necessary for spelling success. Starting with Level 1 will ensure your student fills those gaps. However, older students will go quickly through the first few levels.

All About Spelling is a building block program with each level building upon the previous one. The rules and concepts learned in Level 1 are applied in Level 2, and then those are applied in Level 3, and so on. Placement for spelling is based on the student’s knowledge of spelling rules and concepts rather than grade level, reading level, or the words a student has memorized.

For example, we find that many students simply memorize easy words like “cat” and “kid” but have no idea why one uses a C and the other uses a K, or that the same rules that apply to these words also apply to higher-level words such as “concentrate.” Other students switch letters or leave out letters entirely. This usually occurs because they don’t know how to hear each sound in the word. Level 1 has specific techniques to solve these problems.

However, we encourage parents and teachers to “fast track” if the student knows how to spell most of the words but does not understand the underlying basic spelling concepts. In this case, very quickly skim the parts that he already knows and slow down on the parts that he needs to learn. Pull out several words as examples. Make sure he understands the concept being taught and can demonstrate it back to you with the tiles or app, and then move on. This blog article on Using All About Spelling with Older Students has a good example of how you might fast-track.

If you have any questions, please let me know; I’d be happy to help!