A Parent’s Guide to Orton-Gillingham
What Is Orton-Gillingham? A Parent’s Guide to This Powerful Reading Approach
If your child is struggling to read, you may have come across the term Orton-Gillingham (OG). Maybe it was mentioned in a teacher meeting, or suggested by a friend whose child has dyslexia.
You may be wondering: What exactly is Orton Gillingham?
Let’s clear that up.
🌟 First Things First: Orton-Gillingham Is an Approach, Not a Program
One of the most common misconceptions is that Orton-Gillingham is a boxed curriculum you follow step-by-step. It’s not. Instead, Orton-Gillingham is a research-backed approach to teaching reading. This approach is beneficial for all students, and is particularly effective for students with dyslexia or others who struggle with decoding (sounding out) words.
There are many curricula based on the OG approach—like Wilson, Barton, IMSE, and Take Flight, —and while they differ slightly in order, content, and materials, they all share the same core principles.
The real power of OG comes from the instructor. A well-trained teacher doesn’t just follow a script. They use their knowledge of the OG approach, along with ongoing observation of your child’s strengths and needs, to create customized lessons that evolve as your child learns.
At Spectrum School for Individualized Learning, that’s exactly what we do. We combine highly trained, passionate teachers with evidence-based methods and lesson-by-lesson customization to deliver effective reading intervention for kids and give every student the best chance to succeed.
🌟 Structured Literacy vs Orton Gillingham
Structured literacy is a more broad term than Orton Gillingham, although they are very similar. Structured literacy is a way of teaching reading that aligns with the research on how students learn to read best - through structured, systematic, phonics based instruction. The body of research that informs structured literacy is called The Science of Reading.
👁️👂✋ 2. Multisensory Teaching
OG engages all the senses: students see the letter, say the sound, and trace or write the shape often on a surface that provides some kinesthetic feedback. This is often referred to as the “language triangle”—connecting visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning pathways.
This multisensory reading instruction is especially important for dyslexic students, who benefit from anchoring language to movement and touch. It also makes the lessons much more hands-on and engaging!
🔍 3. Diagnostic and Prescriptive Instruction
Each OG lesson is built on what the student has already mastered—and what they still need to review. Instructors take careful notes during every session and adjust lessons accordingly. This is where skilled training really shines: the teacher creates and adjusts each lesson to include , and OG is flexible enough to meet each learner where they are.
🎉 4. Positive Reinforcement and Encouragement
Confidence is key when it comes to reading. OG lessons are full of encouragement, feedback, and small wins that build momentum. As students begin to understand the logic of language, their confidence soars—and that’s when real progress happens.
Wait—English Has Patterns?
Yes, and this might be the most surprising thing of all!
English is often described as irregular or unpredictable, but that’s largely a myth. According to researcher Louisa Moats, about:
50% of English words follow straightforward, consistent patterns
36% follow common rules (like soft “c” in “city” or soft “g” in “giant”)
10% are predictable through morphology (more on that in a moment!)
Only 4% of English words are truly “oddballs”
So once students understand the rules and patterns, they’re able to decode and spell most words they encounter—just like breaking a code.
🧩 The Role of Morphology: A Powerful (and often Overlooked) Tool
The spelling and pronunciation of words in the English language is based on 2 main components - letters, letter teams and their corresponding sounds, and morphemes, word parts that carry meaning, like prefixes, suffixes, and base words, often derived from Greek and Latin.
Morphology explains a lot of seemingly odd spelling and pronunciation rules - such as the G in SIGN. ‘Sign’ is a base word (a derivative of a Greek or Latin Root that we can add prefixes and suffixes to
Why is morphology important?
It helps students decode big, unfamiliar words
It builds vocabulary in a logical, lasting way
It supports spelling by reinforcing consistent patterns
It deepens understanding of how English is structured
For example, when a student knows that "re-" means "again" and "fill" means to make full, they can figure out what "refill" means—and spell it accurately.
At our tutoring center, we begin teaching morphology early, with simple prefixes and suffixes and gradually build to more complex combinations of prefixes suffixes and root words. It’s one of the best ways to give students the tools to read complex texts confidently and independently.
What Does an Orton-Gillingham Lesson Look Like?
Every OG lesson follows a clear, consistent structure with the specific content adapted to the needs of the student. The following are Orton Gillingham lesson examples:
1. Drills and Review
Letter-sound drills
Phonemic awareness activities
Review of previous concepts
2. New Concept Instruction
Introduction of a new phonics or spelling pattern
Taught explicitly, with visuals, examples, and hands-on practice
3. Word Reading and Spelling
Students read and spell words using the target skill
Includes dictation, word cards, and guided reading
4. Text Reading
Students read short, decodable texts
This is where the magic happens—students apply what they’ve learned in context!
Real Example: Blending the Word “Mad”
Here’s what a typical early OG activity might look like:
Student sees letter cards: m – a – d
They say each sound: /m/ /a/ /d/
They blend the sounds to read: mad
Then they spell it, saying each sound as they place or write each letter
They read the word again, reinforcing memory
This process—called orthographic mapping—helps students link sounds to letters in their brain, making reading and spelling smoother over time.
Why Trained Teachers Make All the Difference
The Orton-Gillingham approach isn’t something that can be pulled from a box. It requires extensive training, expertise, and flexibility. Instructors must understand:
How to teach phonics, morphology, and syllable patterns
How to monitor mastery and adjust pacing
How to individualize instruction for maximum impact
Anna Gillingham famously said,
“Teach the concepts as fast as you can, but as slow as you must.”
That’s the heart of what we do here. We go at your child’s pace—building confidence, skill, and love of reading along the way.
Why OG Works So Well for Students with Dyslexia
Students with dyslexia often need more explicit instruction, more repetition, and more practice opportunities than their peers. OG provides that structure, delivered in a structured and engaging way.
But here’s something else to remember: this kind of instruction helps all readers. Structured literacy is beneficial for every student—not just those with diagnosed dyslexia.
What makes it especially powerful for dyslexic students is the individualization, the pacing, and the focus on how students learn—not just what they’re learning.
Final Thoughts: Is Orton-Gillingham Right for My Child?
Have you asked yourself: how to help my child learn to read? If your child is struggling to read, spell, or write—and especially if they’ve been diagnosed with dyslexia or show signs of it—the Orton-Gillingham approach may be exactly what they need. It is one of the best dyslexia reading methods for kids.
At Spectrum School for Individualized Learning, we offer 1:1 and small-group instruction rooted in OG principles, customized to each learner’s needs. Our tutors are highly trained, compassionate, and committed to helping your child not just catch up—but thrive.
👋 Ready to Learn More?
We’d love to meet your family and talk more about how we can help. We proudly offer reading support for struggling readers, phonics-based reading instruction, and reading intervention for kids in the Boulder area. If you’re looking for OG Tutoring, Orton-Gillingham Tutoring in Boulder, Louisville, Lafayette, Longmont, or Broomfield - look no further! We specialize in tutoring for dyslexic children, tutors for adhd,
📅 Book a free consultation today, and let’s build a path to reading success—together.
“It always seems impossible until it is done.” – Nelson Mandela