Orton- Gillingham RTI Intervention By: Breanna Wisnor

Introduction to Orton-Gillingham The focus group: This strategy was created in the 1930s by neurologist Dr. Samuel T. Orton and educator, psychologist Anna Gillingham. It was originally designed for students with Dyslexia. Today it is used to assist students reading below grade level by providing them with expert, intensive instruction. This approach can be taught in the whole group setting, in small groups or to individuals. It can also be used with at-risk populations. The focus areas: This strategy focuses on providing students with multisensory techniques aligned with the structure of the English Language. Focus areas include the following: phonemes, morphemes, prefixes, suffixes, roots and common spelling rules. This approach is unique because it allows educators to focus on addressing individual student needs while providing instruction that will benefit all learners.

Additional Intervention Information The benefits of OG Training is customized to meet the needs of specific schools, districts and individual students OG can be used at every RTI tier level Appropriate OG instruction has decreased special education referrals and lowered at-risk populations All learners benefit from this program which can be taught individually, in small groups or to the whole group OG supports current reading programs rather than disrupting them College credits are available for the 24 and 30-hour trainings Tiered Instruction: OG allows for implementation of RTI in all tiers but also allows for differentiated instruction.

Components of Orton-Gillingham This is a multi-sensory approach that provides “direct, systematic, and sequential instruction that empowers educators to teach the foundation of the English language” (http://www.orton-gillingham.com/frmProfessionalDevelopment.aspx#WhyOG). This multi-sensory approach includes audio, visual and kinesthetic learning pathways. This approach includes the 5 essential components of effective reading instruction: Phonemic awareness Phonics Vocabulary development Fluency Comprehension strategies

OG Procedures This approach can be incorporated into daily lessons and used to supplement reading instruction. OG lessons typically last between 45-60 minutes and include the following steps: Review of letters and sounds already learned Introduction of new grapheme and phoneme Lists of individual words for reading aloud (connected to prior learning) Dictation of new and previously learned sounds Dictation of words using only those phonograms and phonemes previously taught Dictation of sentences made up of words using phonograms and phonemes previously taught Oral reading from a text controlled for orthography. http://www3.barringtonschools.org/nayatt/Documents/Response%20to%20Intervention-- Orton_Gillingham_Approach.pdf The following slides outline the three stages of training.

Phonemic Awareness & Beginning Orton-Gillingham (12 hours) Training includes instruction in the following areas: •Current research regarding phonemic awareness •The importance of phonemic awareness •Format, goals, and rationale of sequential activities •Phonological stage activities to phonemic awareness •The basics of IMSE's enhanced approach to Orton-Gillingham •Guidelines for lessons, reading readiness and student assessment. http://www.orton-gillingham.com/frmProfessionalDevelopment.aspx#WhyOG

Introductory Training (18 hours) Training includes instruction on teaching the following skills: •Phonemic awareness •Multi-sensory strategies for reading, writing and spelling •Multi-sensory techniques for sight words •Syllabication patterns for decoding and encoding •Student assessment techniques http://www.orton-gillingham.com/frmProfessionalDevelopment.aspx#WhyOG

Stage 1: Comprehensive Training (30 hours) Training includes instruction on teaching the following skills: Phonemic awareness Multi-sensory strategies for reading, writing and spelling Syllabication patterns for encoding / decoding Reciprocal Teaching for reading comprehension Multi-sensory techniques for sight words Student assessment techniques Guidelines for weekly lesson plans http://www.orton-gillingham.com/frmProfessionalDevelopment.aspx#WhyOG

Stage 2: Advanced Continuum Training (24 hours) Training includes instruction on teaching the following skills: •Encoding & Decoding with Morphemes •Higher Level Lesson Planning •Greek & Latin Roots •Vocabulary •Writing & Grammar http://www.orton-gillingham.com/frmProfessionalDevelopment.aspx#WhyOG

Additional Resources http://www.orton-gillingham.com/ http://www3.barringtonschools.org/nayatt/Documents/Response%20to%20Intervention--Orton_Gillingham_Approach.pdf This website provides information on training, professional development and the benefits of OG. This site also includes 24-30 hour training videos and testimonials. There are general, free subscriptions as well as a basic $19.95/year subscription and $89.95/year subscription. All subscriptions require completion of the IMSE 30-hour or 18-hour training. This is a 3-page PDF file from the Florida Center for Reading Reseach. It outlines the basics of the Orton-Gillingham Approach, describes what processes are in place in Orton-Gillingham and provides research to support Orton- Gillingham. This site also includes the strengths and weaknesses of the program. There are also links to sources for additional information.