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Picture this. You’re a server in a busy restaurant, walking through a packed room with a tray full of plates. Every step takes focus. One small bump, one moment of distraction, and CRASH. Plates everywhere. This is what working memory feels like for many of our students every single day. Students with dyslexia, ADHD, or…
You know those little “aha” moments that teachers love to see happen? Like when a student runs into a new word, hesitates for a second, spots a familiar root, and suddenly everything makes sense. Their face brightens, they decode with confidence, and they understand the text on a deeper level. Moments like that show just…
If you’ve spent any time in Orton-Gillingham circles, there’s one phrase you’ve probably heard again and again: “It depends.” You might hear it when you ask: And the answer from your trainer, mentor, or a more experienced colleague is often a gentle but firm:“It depends.” For many OG-trained teachers, that response can feel vague, confusing,…
Why Play Still Matters in Serious Reading Instruction Teachers who use structured literacy or Orton-Gillingham lessons know how important direct and explicit teaching is. But even with all that structure, there’s still room for play. When teachers bring simple, low-prep literacy games into reading instruction, something powerful happens. Students stay motivated, pay attention longer, and…
If you’re a structured literacy teacher, the right structured literacy books can sharpen your practice tomorrow morning. Luckily, I’ve rounded up eight super practical books that offer: 1. Research you can explain to families and colleagues.2. Routines you can plug into your OG lessons.3. Joyful ideas that help our most reluctant readers feel successful. The…
When it comes to helping kids learn short vowel generalizations, clarity is everything. Guessing or memorizing random rules doesn’t build confidence. However, understanding does. Luckily, you can use direct and explicit teaching when it comes to short vowel generalizations. It’s all about showing students exactly what to do, walking them through examples, and then giving…
When it comes to reading, early intervention can change everything. The earlier we identify signs of dyslexia, the sooner we can provide the support children need to thrive. However, we must know what the red flags of dyslexia look like, especially in our youngest learners. Dyslexia is a language-based learning difference that affects reading, spelling,…
Dyslexia is one of the most researched learning differences in the world. On the other hand, dyslexia is also the most misunderstood. For centuries, bright students who struggled with reading were mislabeled, misunderstood, or left behind. Today, we know that dyslexia is a neurobiological learning difference that primarily affects reading, spelling, and phonological processing. But…
As a parent, it can be incredibly frustrating to watch your child struggle with reading. Maybe they’ve started to dread going to school, or maybe you’ve noticed they’re falling behind their peers despite their best efforts. If this sounds familiar, hiring a private Orton-Gillingham (OG) tutor might be the game-changing support your child needs. Orton-Gillingham…