How does it work?

Here are a few examples of how Orton Gillingham works and creative ways that I keep my students engaged.

What’s

in the

box?

Each student has a personalized collection of cards, each bearing a letter or phonogram. As the student progresses, they see their card collection expands accordingly. To internalize each sound, students engage in tracing exercises on a substantial blackboard or large surface, employing full arm movements. They write the letter multiple times, vocalize its sound, and incorporate it into spelling and contextual usage. Leveraging multiple senses enhances muscle memory retention. Ultimately, the emphasis lies on fostering individualized connections and associations to facilitate letter and sound recall.

Wow!

Not only does each student have their own recipe box, they also have their own cursive notebook, dictation notebook, and a work book containing each phoneme. If they are learning the ch phonogram the student will draw a chin and repeat c-h, chin /ch/. We will work on words beginning and ending with "ch" initially. Once mastered, we'll progress to the next phonogram, while still incorporating "ch" words in future lessons to ensure continuity of the sound. Additionally, "ch" will be included in their repertoire of known sounds, and revisited during each lesson.

What’s with the toast?

j- jam /ge

Tracing and saying the sound reinforces working memory. Kids can trace the letter “j” on a rough surface with two fingers while saying, j- jam, /ge sound. This could be a textured mat or even a piece of toast!

What's the deal with cursive? Even in this digital era, there are times when a speedy handwritten note saves the day. Cursive really stands out, especially with letters like b, d, p, and q—they're so distinct compared to their printed counterparts. It might seem like a blast from the past, but trust me, it's actually quicker and easier for taking notes. We only set aside five minutes in each lesson for cursive because it's great for our brains—it helps us process visual and tactile info and sharpens our fine motor skills.

Creative simple charts help process and break down rules. By eliminating choices one by one the student can find the answer themselves.

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