How to Use the Orton-Gillingham Approach in Your Homeschool
Teaching reading at home can feel overwhelming, especially when you realize how many different philosophies and programs exist.
The Orton-Gillingham approach gives many homeschool families what they are looking for: clarity, structure, and a sequence that makes sense.
Instead of encouraging students to guess at words, this method teaches that reading is a code and that the code can be learned step by step.
For some learners, this structure is helpful. For others, especially students with dyslexia or persistent decoding difficulty, it can be the turning point.
A Structured Literacy Progression: From Sounds to Morphology
A complete Orton-Gillingham homeschooling pathway follows a predictable progression. Whether you are teaching a beginning reader or closing gaps in an older learner, instruction usually moves in this order.
Phonemic Awareness
Before letters are introduced, students learn to:
- Segment sounds
- Blend sounds
- Delete sounds
- Manipulate sounds
This stage focuses on sound awareness without print. If decoding is weak, strengthen this first. For more background, see our phonemic awareness guide. For extra at-home practice in this stage, you can also use our free app, Reading Mountain Basecamp.
Letters and Patterns
Once students can hear sounds clearly, they learn that letters represent sounds. This includes consonants, short vowels, and CVC words like cat, map, and sit. As accuracy grows, instruction expands to core patterns:
- Digraphs: sh, ch, th, wh, ck
- Blends
- Welded or unit sounds, such as: ank, ing, all
- Early spelling rules, such as FLOSS
If you want a practical sequence for teaching these skills, follow the Reading Mountain Level 1 guide and Level 2 guide.
Syllable-Level Decoding
As words get longer, learners need a plan. Structured literacy teaches six syllable types so students can decode multisyllabic words systematically rather than guessing.
| Syllable Type | Rule | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Closed | Ends in consonant, short vowel | cat, napkin |
| Open | Ends in long vowel | go, robot |
| Silent E | VCe pattern, long vowel | make, inside |
| Vowel Team | Two vowels for one sound | boat, rain |
| R-Controlled | Vowel sound altered by r | car, bird |
| Consonant-le | Final stable syllable | table, little |
Common Syllable Division Patterns
VC/CV Pattern
Divide between two consonants: rab-bit
V/CV Pattern
Try the open syllable first: ti-ger
VC/V Pattern
If the open split does not fit, close the first syllable: cam-el
V/V Pattern
Divide between vowels that do not form a team: li-on
Morphology
Advanced Orton-Gillingham homeschooling instruction moves beyond syllables into morphology:
- Prefixes
- Suffixes
- Roots
- Base words
Morphology helps students decode academic words, build vocabulary, improve spelling, and strengthen comprehension.
Why This Structured Progression Matters in Homeschooling
One of homeschooling's biggest advantages is control over pacing and sequence.
A structured literacy model builds skills step by step and reduces confusion.
For students who have struggled, including many with dyslexia, this sequence often provides the missing clarity.
Structuring Your Homeschool Lessons
A typical structured literacy session might include:
- Review of previously taught sounds or patterns
- Introduction of one new concept
- Guided reading practice
- Spelling reinforcement
A practical target for most families is about 2 hours per week, split into shorter sessions over multiple days. Consistency builds mastery.
If you are comparing other programs while planning your homeschool pathway, these may help: Barton vs. Wilson and Barton vs. All About Reading.
Building Toward a Complete Literacy Pathway
A strong Orton-Gillingham homeschool plan should not feel random. It should feel like a pathway:
When instruction follows this intentional order, students gain more than reading skill. They gain understanding and confidence.
If you are comparing programs built on this philosophy, start with what makes the Orton-Gillingham approach effective, then review the 3 pillars of reading success.
Final Thoughts
If you want a complete, connected Orton-Gillingham homeschooling pathway, the full Reading Mountain program brings these pieces together in one sequence, from foundational decoding to advanced reading and spelling growth.
Explore the main program to see the full instructional path.
Explore the Reading Mountain Program