What is OG?

Orton-Gillingham (OG) is a specific literacy approach that incorporates explicit and multisensory instruction. Teaching is diagnostic, direct, and prescriptive. Most often, OG is used in a 1:1 teacher-student instructional model though it can also be used in small groups. Note that skills are introduced in a particular order, based on how children naturally develop language. Students must show mastery of a particular skill before moving on. The overarching goal is for students to utilize the skills they’ve learned to decode words independently. OG incorporates reading, spelling, and writing in a multimodal method to encourage understanding. 

OG emphasizes the connection between sounds and letters by breaking reading and spelling down into smaller chunks involving letters and sounds, and then building on these skills over time. This structured approach targets any foundational weaknesses before moving on. OG focuses on teaching reading at the word level–its main goal is not developing reading comprehension. Through a multisensory approach, OG emphasizes memory and recall. For example, whenever introducing the letter R to students, they will see it, say it, and sound it out while writing it on their desk with shaving cream. OG’s focus on the rules and patterns of reading helps students strengthen their decoding skills.