Curriculum

Grant teaches reading with Orton-Gillingham (OG), a structured, hands-on phonics approach. Students learn exactly how letters and sounds work and practice each new skill until it sticks before moving on. Lessons use sight, sound, and movement together, helping every child learn, including those who struggle with reading.

What OG looks like 

Sound drills: Students review letter cards each day and say the sound each letter or letter pair makes.
Tapping out words: Students tap one finger for each sound in a word, then blend the sounds together to read it.
Sky writing: Students trace large letters in the air or on a textured surface while saying the sound, connecting movement to memory.
Red words: Tricky words that don’t follow the rules, like “said” and “was,” are taught separately and practiced until students know them by sight.
Dictation: Teachers say sounds, words, and sentences aloud, and students spell and write them, applying what they’ve learned.

OG is used across three grade levels, supported by an on-site literacy coach and a team of teacher literacy champions, so every child gets clear, consistent reading instruction from one year to the next.

Ways to help at home

Read together every day, and let your child point to words as you read.
When your child gets stuck on a word, ask them to tap out the sounds instead of guessing from the pictures.
Ask your child to teach you this week’s sound or red word.

Learn more

What is Orton-Gillingham? (Institute for Multi-Sensory Education)
Parent resources from IMSE