The foundation of the academic program is the Orton-Gillingham Approach, which emphasizes instruction in every subject with multisensory techniques that involve the auditory, visual, tactile, and kinesthetic pathways. Although Swift’s intensive reading and language arts instruction is the foremost consideration, the subjects of math, social studies, and science are also taught using the Approach.
The OG Approach
Language-based
Techniques of studying and learning language are implemented that involve the mechanisms involved in the language acquisition processes.
Multisensory
Teaching sessions are action-oriented with auditory, visual, and kinesthetic elements that reinforce each other for increased learning outcomes. Students learn spelling simultaneously with reading.
Structured, Sequential, Cumulative
The elements of language are introduced systematically. Students begin by reading and writing sounds in isolation. Sounds are then blended into syllables and words. Students learn the elements of language – consonants, vowels, digraphs, blends, and diphthongs – in an orderly, sequential, progressive fashion. Students proceed to advanced structural elements including syllable types, roots, and affixes.
As material is introduced, a review of previously introduced material continues to be reinforced to a level of automaticity. Vocabulary, sentence structure, composition, and reading comprehension instruction occur in a similar structured, sequential, and cumulative manner.
Cognitive
The study of the English language and the many generalizations and rules that govern its structure are the building blocks of the Orton-Gillingham Approach. Students learn how best to apply the language knowledge necessary for achieving reading and writing competencies.
Diagnostic-Prescriptive
Instruction begins with the assessment of what a student knows about the structure of language and then builds on that knowledge using the application of phonetic principles.
Flexible
Teachers are trained experts who access the learning strengths of students to best meet their needs.
Emotionally Sound
Students experience academic success and gains in confidence as well as skill. Learning becomes a rewarding experience and the mysteries of the English language are unraveled, step-by-step.