Introduction to Orton-Gillingham for Upper Grades, Ducey, Spring 2026

Course Number:	EDX 5710 S25
Instructor:	Amy Ducey & Peggy Price
Location:	Online
Dates and Times:	Jan 9 – April 8, 2026. Synchronous video meetings on the following dates/times: January 9, 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM; January 23, 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM; February 13, 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM; March 13, 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM; March 29, 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM; April 8, 12:30 – 3:30 PM
Credits:	3 Graduate Credits
Tuition:	Set by and payable to educational partner The Stern Center for Language & Learning

Course Description

The Orton-Gillingham Approach is the underlying foundation of all multisensory, structured literacy instruction. This 46-hour course is designed for classroom teachers in third grade and up. In this five-and-a-half-day course, participants will gain a basic understanding of the OG Approach and how to design integrated reading and spelling lessons. Participants will learn about the reading brain and dyslexia, phonology, spelling patterns, vocabulary, and the structure of the English language with an emphasis on vocabulary and morphology. Participants will leave class with a detailed guide for teaching suffixes, prefixes, Latin roots, and Greek Combining Forms. This hands-on, interactive online course will teach you the structure of the English language and how to teach it sequentially in a multisensory approach.

Audience: Classroom teachers grades 3 and up, Tiers 1-2

Course Goals & Objectives

Course Goals:

Goal 1: The classroom teacher understands the structure of the English language and orthography.

Goal 2: The classroom teacher understands how individuals learn how to read and spell, including typical literacy acquisition and how to differentiate instruction to help struggling readers in their classroom.

Goal 3: The classroom teacher understands how to integrate research-based vocabulary, morphology, and basic writing instruction into their school day.

Goal 4: The classroom teacher understands how to design a basic Orton-Gillingham (OG) lesson plan using a scope and sequence designed for the general education setting for grades 3+.

Course Objectives:

The classroom teacher demonstrates an understanding of the stages of normal reading development.
The classroom teacher can explain why the principles of OG are an effective teaching methodology.
The classroom teacher can explain why OG, and its derivative Structured Literacy, is a primary approach of choice for all learners.
The classroom teacher demonstrates a general understanding of reading acquisition and knowledge of the needs and nature of all learners.
The classroom teacher has knowledge of the English language, history, and structure.
The classroom teacher demonstrates knowledge of the following principles of instruction as essential components of the OG Approach:
diagnostic and prescriptive
synthetic-analytic
sequential, structured, systematic, and cumulative
multisensory (VAKT)
teaching toward automaticity
teaching for integration and application of principles
The classroom teacher lesson plans provide evidence of clear goals that match a sequence of OG concepts.
The classroom teacher demonstrates awareness of formal and informal assessment measures.

Required Readings/Resources

All course participants will need to purchase the following:

V.C.ED Basic and Advanced Sound Deck, $25 https://www.wvced.com/product/basic-and-advanced-sound-deck/

More information on required readings will be in the course syllabus.

For additional course information

Amy Ducey

For additional registration information

Center for Schools Team

(802) 468-1325