What is the Orton-Gillingham method?

Question

I would like to better understand what is the Orton-Gillingham method and how does is differ from any other pedagogies?

 

Thanks.

Answer 1

Wilson Reading Program is a fabulous resource!  However, whether it states it or not, Wilson actually uses the Orton-Gillingham Approach in its technique and materials.  OG is an original, steadfast method.

 

The Orton-Gillingham approach will work for a student it is an evidence-based program that has helped dyslexics since the 1920’s with its eight key principles.

*  It is language based, a technique of studying and teaching language, understanding the nature of human language, the mechanisms involved in learning, and the language-learning processes in individuals.

 

*  It uses multisensory activities, including auditory, visual, and kinesthetic elements that reinforce each other.
Orton-Gillingham introduces the elements of the language systematically.  Students begin by reading and writing in sound isolation.  Then they blend sounds into syllables and words.  Consonants, vowels, digraphs, blends and diphthongs are learned sequentially.  Then they go to syllable types, roots and affixes.  Finally, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension are addressed in the same structured, cumulative way.  As the student is taught new material, they are always in review of the old until it is demonstrated with automaticity.

*  It is a cognitive approach, in that its students learn about the history of the English language and study the rules and exceptions of its structure, and how they can proficiently apply it for themselves.  It is flexible so that the teacher can study and understand each student to develop appropriate reading strategies, individually.

 

* It is a psychologically sound experience that rewards students with a high degree of success and gains in confidence, as well as skills, in every lesson. 

 

*  from my certification essay for the San Diego Dyslexia Training Institute, 13'.

Answer 2

Orton Gillingham is the "grandfather" pedagogy from which all of the "ready made" scripted programs spring, such as Wilson and Susan Barton. They are all good, but one who uses the original methodology is writing individualized lessons for each student based on how he'she did on the previous lesson. It is a language-based (because dylsexia is actually an oral language processing disorder (not a visual disorder). It is also very structured, sequential, and multi-sensory ( it addresses the student's need to process information through the eyes, ears, and kinetic avenues.) An Orton Gillingham lesson is a one hour lesson which gives practice in both reading, writing and spelling.It is very tailored to the student and one component also is that the student is encouraged to "discover" through a guided, structured lesson, the next concept, whether it is a new phonogram, syllable type, or spelling rule.This gives the student more "ownership" and better recall of the new concept. There is lots of practice and rich review of the concepts every lesson. A dedicated Orton-Gillingham tutor puts much time and thought into each lesson, and taught in a one on one setting, will produce incredible results as the student advances through the five levels.

Answer 3

I agree with so many above. The biggest thing parents should remember when looking for an Orton Gillingham tutor is to remember that some programs such as Barton Lessons and Wilson are cookie cutter lessons applied to every student. While these methods work, they’re not the most efficient.

Someone who has been trained in the methodology of OG will be equipped to write individualized lesson plans for your child based on their specific needs. Within the lesson, they will use all of the tried and true methods of OG. Your student will not only learn more quickly, but it will ultimately save you time and money.

Answer 4

This is a program that teaches phonics and reading instruction explicitly through a prescribed, multisensory, language based method. It was originally created for students with special needs and has been revised and adapted over the years. It is now not as popular as a similar program called the "Wilson" program for reading instruction. You can find more information on this through google. 

Answer 5

The Orton–Gillingham method was the first teaching approach specifically designed to help struggling readers by explicitly teaching the connections between letters and sounds. The highly structured approach introduced the idea of breaking reading and spelling down into smaller skills involving letters and sounds, and then building on these skills over time.