Words Matter Blog
Summer OG Training Opportunities Matter
April 29, 2024 by Kerri McDonald-Schaub
Sign up for a one-week introductory course taught by accredited training Fellow Kerri McDonald-Schaub of the Orton-Gillingham Academy, the gold standard in teacher training.
Dates:
July 9-July 12, 2024
or
August 5-August 9, 2024
As summer approaches, educators seek opportunities to enrich their skills and support students with diverse learning needs. Amidst the plethora of teaching methodologies, one stands out for its efficacy in addressing dyslexia and related learning challenges: Orton-Gillingham (OG). This structured, multisensory approach has transformed countless lives, offering a lifeline to individuals struggling with reading and writing. Yet, to truly harness its potential, undergoing summer training from an accredited Orton-Gillingham Training Fellow is beneficial and essential. Here’s why:
1. Deep Understanding of OG Principles:
Orton-Gillingham is more than just a set of techniques; it’s a philosophy grounded in understanding the structure of language and the needs of learners. Accredited training fellows provide a comprehensive dive into OG principles, equipping participants with a deep understanding of language mechanics, phonology, and morphology. This foundational knowledge forms the bedrock upon which effective instruction is built, empowering educators to tailor their approaches to individual student needs.
2. Practical Application:
Theory without practice is like a ship without a compass; it may point in the right direction but won’t reach its destination. Accredited OG training fellows bridge the gap between theory and practice, offering hands-on experiences and guided practice sessions. Participants learn to apply OG strategies in real-world teaching scenarios, honing their skills through interactive exercises and feedback sessions. This experiential learning fosters confidence and competence, ensuring educators can seamlessly integrate OG techniques into their instructional repertoire.
3. Ongoing Support and Mentorship:
Learning is a journey, not a destination, and mastering Orton-Gillingham is no exception. Accredited training fellows provide ongoing support and mentorship, serving as guides long after the summer training concludes. Through participation in a 100-hour practicum and a second thirty-hour course, participants will work with an experienced Fellow who offers guidance, troubleshooting, and encouragement. This continued support fosters growth and prevents stagnation, ensuring educators remain effective advocates for their students.
4. Accreditation and Recognition:
In a field inundated with varied approaches to literacy instruction, accreditation lends credibility and assurance. Training with accredited Orton-Gillingham Fellows ensures participants receive instruction that meets rigorous standards of quality and fidelity to the OG approach. Moreover, accreditation enhances professional credentials and opens doors to career advancement and specialization opportunities. By investing in accredited training, educators signal their commitment to evidence-based practice and dedication to serving students with dyslexia and related learning differences.
5. Impact on Student Success:
Ultimately, the accurate measure of any teaching methodology lies in its impact on student learning and achievement. When implemented with fidelity, Orton-Gillingham has a proven track record of success in improving reading and writing outcomes for individuals with dyslexia. By undergoing summer training, educators gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make a tangible difference in the lives of their students. Whether in a classroom setting or through specialized intervention tutorials, the transformative power of Orton-Gillingham can unlock a world of possibilities for struggling readers and writers.
In conclusion, taking a summer Orton-Gillingham training is not just a worthwhile learning opportunity; it’s an essential investment in professional growth and student success. By delving deep into OG principles, gaining practical experience, accessing ongoing support, earning accreditation, and impacting student outcomes, educators can become effective advocates for literacy and champions of inclusion. As we embark on this journey together, let us harness the power of Orton-Gillingham to empower every learner to reach their full potential.
For more information, please email Kerri at ognorthshore@gmail.com.
Essential Components for Effective Orton-Gillingham Lessons: A Guide for Teachers
February 19, 2024 by Kerri McDonald-Schaub
Orton-Gillingham (OG) is a structured, multi-sensory approach to teaching literacy skills, particularly beneficial for students with dyslexia or other language-based learning differences. It is a systematic method focusing on phonemic awareness, phonics, decoding, and encoding. Teachers implementing OG lessons must incorporate critical components to maximize student progress and success.
Here's a comprehensive guide for teachers on what to include in their OG lessons.
1. Phonemic Awareness Activities: Begin each lesson with phonemic awareness exercises to help students develop an understanding of the sounds of language. Activities may include blending, segmenting, and manipulating sounds orally.
2. Explicit Phonics Instruction: Teach phonetic concepts explicitly, starting with letter-sound correspondences and progressing to more complex phonetic patterns. Use multi-sensory techniques such as tapping out sounds, tracing letters, and using manipulatives to reinforce learning.
3. Structured Literacy Instruction: Follow a structured instruction sequence, moving from simple to complex skills. Incorporate syllable types, morphology, and syntax into lessons to provide a comprehensive understanding of language structure.
4. Multi-Sensory Techniques: Engage students in activities that involve multiple senses, such as sight, sound, touch, and movement. Utilize materials like sand trays, letter tiles, and kinesthetic activities to reinforce learning and accommodate diverse learning styles.
5. Systematic and Cumulative Approach: Ensure lessons build upon previously learned skills systematically and cumulatively. Review previously taught concepts regularly to reinforce retention and mastery.
6. Decoding and Encoding Practice: Provide ample opportunities for students to practice decoding (reading) and encoding (spelling) words using their learned phonetic concepts. Use real and pseudo words to reinforce phonetic principles.
7. Fluency Development: Include activities to improve reading fluency, such as repeated reading, timed readings, and phrase drills. Emphasize accuracy and prosody to enhance overall reading comprehension.
8. Vocabulary Instruction: Introduce new vocabulary words within the context of reading passages or thematic units. Use explicit instruction and meaningful practice activities to teach word meanings, usage, and relationships.
9. Comprehension Strategies: Teach students comprehension strategies such as predicting, summarizing, questioning, and visualizing—model how to apply these strategies during reading and provide opportunities for guided and independent practice.
10. Assessment and Progress Monitoring: Regularly assess students' progress using a variety of measures, including informal observations, formal assessments, and progress monitoring tools. Use data to inform instructional decisions and adjust teaching strategies as needed.
Incorporating these essential components into Orton-Gillingham lessons can significantly benefit students with dyslexia or other reading difficulties by providing them with the systematic, explicit instruction they need to succeed. By focusing on phonemic awareness, phonics, multi-sensory techniques, structured literacy, and other key elements, teachers can create a supportive learning environment where all students can make meaningful progress in their literacy skills.
Each of the components listed above is included in my courses. If you want to be trained as a certified OG practitioner through the Orton-Gillingham Association (OGA), please contact me at ognorthshore@gmail.com.
Embracing a New Year of Empowerment: A Letter to Orton-Gillingham Teachers
December 28, 2023 by Kerri McDonald-Schaub
Dear Dedicated Orton-Gillingham Teachers,
As we stand on the cusp of a new year, it is only fitting to express my heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering commitment to transforming the lives of struggling readers. The journey you've embarked upon with the Orton-Gillingham approach is not merely a teaching methodology but a beacon of hope, a lifeline for those navigating the challenging waters of literacy.
As we bid farewell to the past and eagerly welcome the dawn of a new year, let us take a moment to reflect on the incredible strides made in the realm of education, particularly in the field of literacy instruction. With its personalized and multisensory approach, Orton-Gillingham continues to be a powerful tool in your hands, bridging the gaps for students who face challenges in decoding and encoding written language.
The essence of Orton-Gillingham lies not just in its structured and systematic techniques but also in the compassionate and individualized approach you bring to the classroom. Each struggling reader entrusted to your care is a unique individual with a distinctive set of strengths and challenges. Your ability to tailor the Orton-Gillingham method to meet the specific needs of each student is a testament to your dedication and expertise.
In the spirit of a new beginning, let us reaffirm our commitment to fostering a love for learning in every child. The Orton-Gillingham approach addresses the technical aspects of reading and instills confidence and resilience in your students. As we venture into the coming year, let us celebrate the small victories, the moments of breakthrough, and the triumphs that might not make headlines but are etched forever in the hearts of the children you inspire.
Remember, you are not just teaching reading; you are unlocking a world of possibilities for your students. The skills they acquire under your guidance will serve as the foundation for a lifetime of learning and achievement. Your role extends beyond the classroom walls; you are shaping the future, one word at a time.
As you embrace the challenges and triumphs of the new year, may you find renewed energy and inspiration in the knowledge that your work is making a profound impact. You are the architects of change, the champions of literacy, and the guiding lights for those who may have lost their way in the vast language landscape.
Here's to a new year filled with continued growth, boundless enthusiasm, and the joy of witnessing the transformative power of education. Thank you for being the driving force behind the success stories that will unfold in the chapters of the coming year.
Wishing you a year of unparalleled fulfillment and success in your noble pursuit.
With gratitude,
Kerri McDonald-Schaub, M.Ed.
Accredited Fellow/OGA
OG Practitioners Know the Science of Reading Matters
July 7, 2023 by Kerri McDonald-Schaub
The science of reading is an interdisciplinary field that combines research from various disciplines, including cognitive psychology, linguistics, neuroscience, and education, to understand how reading works and how individuals learn to read. It identifies the evidence-based skills required for effective reading instruction. The Orton-Gillingham approach follows the science of reading.
Phonemic awareness refers to identifying and manipulating individual sounds (phonemes) in spoken words. Research has shown that phonemic awareness is crucial for developing strong reading skills. The science of reading emphasizes explicit instruction in phonemic awareness, helping students recognize and work with language sounds. Phonemic awareness is the first skill addressed on the decoding side of an OG lesson.
Phonics involves teaching the relationship between letters and sounds. It helps students understand the sound-symbol correspondence in written language. The science of reading supports systematic and explicit phonics instruction, where students learn letter-sound correspondences and apply them when decoding words. This approach helps students become proficient readers and improves their ability to decode unfamiliar words. The decoding side of an OG lesson involves direct and explicit instruction in phonics.
Vocabulary plays a vital role in reading comprehension. The science of reading highlights the importance of building students' vocabulary knowledge through explicit instruction. Effective vocabulary instruction includes teaching word meanings, word relationships, and strategies for figuring out the meaning of unknown words from context. After OG practitioners develop students’ phonetic skills, they teach morphemes and meaningful word parts. These include prefixes, roots, and suffixes (e.g., unreported, rejecting). The teaching of morphology is critical to building students’ vocabularies.
Fluency refers to the ability to read accurately, smoothly, and with appropriate expression. Fluent reading enhances comprehension. The science of reading emphasizes the need for regular reading practice to develop fluency. It encourages repeated reading of texts, along with modeling and guided practice, to improve students' reading rate and accuracy. Fluency and oral reading practice are integral parts of an OG lesson.
The science of reading recognizes the importance of teaching explicit comprehension strategies. These strategies help students actively engage with the text, make connections, ask questions, summarize information, and monitor their understanding. Research has shown that teaching comprehension strategies improve students' reading comprehension and their ability to think critically about what they read. The main focus of an OG lesson is to help students build their decoding skills to allow them to comprehend the material they are reading.
The science of reading emphasizes the use of evidence-based instructional practices. It encourages educators to base their teaching methods on research findings and proven strategies. By using instructional approaches grounded in scientific evidence, educators can provide effective reading instruction that meets the needs of diverse learners. OG is such an approach. A fundamental principle of OG is to use the skills identified in the science of reading to provide students with diagnostic and prescriptive teaching based on the specific needs of each student.
Overall, the science of reading provides educators with the core elements of research-based reading instruction. By applying these evidence-based practices, students can develop strong reading skills, leading to improved literacy outcomes. While the science of reading identifies the skills necessary to learn how to read, the OG approach teaches educators what to teach students so that they can learn to read. OG practitioners understand at a profound level that the science of reading matters!
OG of the North Shore is offering two summer courses beginning July 10th and August 7th. Click here to see the schedule, and email ognorthshore@gmail.com to register.
Handwriting Matters: Letter Formation Supports Early Reading Development
June 5, 2023 by Kerri McDonald-Schaub
Teaching handwriting to children plays a vital role in developing their reading skills. Forming letters helps children recognize and remember the shapes and sounds of individual letters and establishes the foundation for word recognition and comprehension. Handwriting practice is essential for dyslexic learners because handwriting is a multisensory process that brings the alphabetic principle to life as students match phonemes to graphemes.
When children learn to write by hand, they practice the rules of letter order and how letters combine to form words. Handwriting exercises require children to pay close attention to the fine details of letter shapes, proportions, and spacing. Children develop a visual and kinesthetic memory of word patterns by physically forming letters and composing words. Research shows that children who develop their handwriting skills are better equipped to decode and encode words.
When I began teaching nearly forty years ago, manuscript (or print) was introduced in the first grade when children were learning to read and were expected to master it by the end of second grade. Students learned cursive in third grade because it allowed for faster writing and note-taking. Experts differ on whether cursive should be taught exclusively to dyslexic learners as they maintain that it eliminates reversals. However, there is little evidence to support this claim, and there are clear advantages to teaching students print, as these letter formations are similar to what they see when they read. Whether children learn manuscript or cursive is up for discussion, but what is of utmost importance is that we directly and explicitly teach our dyslexic learners how to write their letters legibly and with automaticity. Choose a method that teaches similar letter formations together (e.g., the letters c, a, o, and d begin with the letter c). If you observe your student confusing the letters b and d, teach the letter b formation to mastery before introducing the letter d. Reinforce that b starts with a bat that hits the ball. When you teach the letter d, teach it as c comes before d. If the student learns to form these letters differently, they are less likely to confuse them.
In conclusion, proper letter formation strengthens students' letter recognition, phonics knowledge, word formation, and visual discrimination abilities. As OG practitioners, we should recognize the symbiotic relationship between handwriting and learning to read and foster the skill of letter formation by including handwriting practice in each lesson because, for our dyslexic learners, handwriting matters!
OG of the North Shore is offering two summer courses beginning July 10th and August 7th. Click here to see the schedule, and email ognorthshore@gmail.com to register.
Elevate Your Expertise: Sign up for summer Orton-Gillingham training
May 28, 2023 by Kerri McDonald-Schaub
As we approach the end of the school year and eagerly await the arrival of summer, it's the perfect time for educators to not only recharge but also invest in their professional growth. If you're passionate about the Orton-Gillingham approach and committed to supporting students with dyslexia, or want to learn more about this gold standard approach to teaching decoding and encoding skills, why not take advantage of the summer break to enhance your expertise? In this blog post, we'll explore the importance of signing up for summer Orton-Gillingham training and how it can empower you as an educator.
1. Accelerate Your Professional Development:
Summer is an ideal season to focus on personal and professional growth. By enrolling in a summer Orton-Gillingham training program, you can accelerate your professional development journey. These specialized courses provide in-depth knowledge, practical strategies, and hands-on experience to help you learn Orton-Gillingham skills and broaden your instructional toolbox. It's an opportunity to become an even more effective advocate for struggling readers.
2. Stay Ahead of the Curve:
Education is a field that constantly evolves, and it's essential to stay ahead of the curve to provide the best support to your students. Summer training in Orton-Gillingham equips you with the latest research, methodologies, and resources, ensuring that you're up to date with the most effective strategies for dyslexia instruction. By investing in your own learning, you can ensure your teaching remains cutting-edge and impactful.
3. Connect with Like-Minded Educators:
One of the invaluable aspects of summer Orton-Gillingham training is the opportunity to connect with a community of like-minded educators. These training programs often foster collaboration and networking, allowing you to engage in meaningful discussions, share experiences, and exchange ideas with fellow educators who are also passionate about dyslexia instruction. Building these connections can provide ongoing support and inspiration throughout your teaching career.
4. Expand Your Career Opportunities:
By completing summer Orton-Gillingham training, you enhance your professional credentials and open doors to new career opportunities. Your expertise in the Orton-Gillingham approach can make you a highly sought-after educator, both within your current school or district and in the broader educational community. Investing in your professional development can lead to advancement, increased job satisfaction, and the chance to positively impact more students lives.
As the school year draws to a close, seize the opportunity to invest in your professionalgrowth and elevate your expertise through summer Orton-Gillingham training. By accelerating your professional development, staying ahead of the curve, connecting with like-minded educators, and expanding your career opportunities, you're not only investing in yourself but also in the success of your students. So, make the most of this summer break and sign up for an Orton-Gillingham training program that will empower you to transform lives and make a lasting difference.
OG of the North Shore is offering two summer courses beginning July 10th and August 7th. Click here to see the schedule, and email ognorthshore@gmail.com to register.
Choosing words for your OG word list
May 18, 2023 by Kerri McDonald-Schaub
