Orton-Gillingham Training

Swift School offers Orton-Gillingham courses that follow the guidelines established by the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators (OGA), with Swift's Associate & Certified Level Training Programs being accredited by the Academy.

Only 11 training Programs across the country have received this accreditation for both courses as of December 2021.

The courses and practicums are led by Natalie Felix, Fellow of the Academy. Courses are held on the Swift School Campus, conveniently located near the intersection of Georgia 400 and Holcomb Bridge Road. Please see the following to determine if these courses(s) or other offerings meet your particular professional goals, needs or interests.

Past participation in the courses and practicums by educators, parents and other professionals have garnered consistent praise and exceeded expectations.

For additional information Contact OG Fellow Natalie Felix

The four courses offered at Swift School are as follows:

1. Subscriber Course
2. Classroom Educator Course
3. Associate Level Course
4. Certified Level Course

For more information regarding membership levels and credentials from OGA Click Here.

The Subscriber Course is an introductory overview that provides a basic understanding of science, the rationale, and the structure behind the Orton-Gillingham Approach. Participants will receive an overview of the approach and instructional techniques as presented by Academy Fellow Natalie Felix. 
 

This course covers:

• What is the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners & Educators (OGA)     
• Nature of the Dyslexic Learner
• Overview of Assessment
• Introduction to the History & Structure of English
• Nature of a Typical Reader
• Alphabetic Principle
• Introduction to Phonology
• History and principles of the Orton-Gillingham Approach

Subscriber members are informed consumers but are not yet qualified to teach using the Orton-Gillingham Approach. A Subscriber designation indicates that a member has completed a course of at least six hours duration based on the Academy's required curriculum at the Subscriber level.

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Coursework: Satisfies six hours of Orton-Gillingham course work
Location: TBD
Date/Time: Next offered in the fall of 2023
Cost: TBD

For additional information Contact OG Fellow Natalie Felix                   

This one-week intensive course is designed to satisfy the Classroom Educator coursework requirements as determined by the Orton-Gillingham Academy Practitioners & Educators (OGA). It is also considered Week #1 of the full two-week Associate Level course. All coursework is presented by Academy Fellow Natalie Felix. Participants will receive thorough instruction in the following topics:
 

Reading Acquisition in all Learners and the Nature and Needs of the Dyslexia Learner
- Reading Brain
- Typical & Atypical Reading Development
- What is Dyslexia & Strategies to Support Dyslexic Learners

Knowledge of the Structure of English Language
- Alphabetic Principle
- Phonological & Phonemic Awareness
- Phonics (Based on the seminal works of June L. Orton)
- Phonology
- Syllable Types & Syllable Division Patterns Basic Morphology
- Learned Words
- Strategies for teaching Reading Fluency,  Reading Comprehension, and 
   Vocabulary

Orton-Gillingham Approach
- Seminal Works
- Principles of the Orton-Gillingham Approach

Development of an OG Lesson for Small Group or Classroom

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Coursework: Satisfies 35 hours of Orton-Gillingham course work
Location: Glenwood Elementary - 440 E. Ponce de Leon, Decatur, GA 30306
Next Course: June 12-16, 2023
Hours: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. with a one-hour lunch (lunch is not provided)
Cost: TBD
For additional information Contact OG Fellow Natalie Felix. 

This course is open to all interested individuals who hold a Bachelor's Degree in any area of study.                      

Swift School's Associate Level course is accredited by the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners & Educators (OGA).   

The Associate Level course is a continuation of the content delivered in the Classroom Educator course, and is considered Week #2 of a series. Completing this second week of intensive coursework satisfies the Associate Level coursework requirements as determined by the Orton-Gillingham Academy Practitioners & Educators (OGA). All coursework is presented by Academy Fellow Natalie Felix. Participants will receive thorough instruction in the following topics:

1. Orton-Gillingham Approach vs Orton-Gillingham Based Curriculums

2. Assessment
-Assessment-Interpretation of Formal & Informal Instruments
          - Intelligence & Achievement Testing etc.
- Developing, Administering & Interpreting Informal Diagnostic Instruments
- Developing a Student Profile-Strengths & Weaknesses and Implications for
    Instruction

3. Handwriting
- Manuscript & Cursive

4. Individualized Lesson Plan
- Designing an Individualized Lesson Plan Based on Assessment & Performance
- Writing Decodable Text and Analyzing Commercial Products
- Writing & Delivering 1:1 OG Lesson
 

Coursework: 70 hours of OG coursework (Week #1 & Week #2)
Location: Glenwood Elementary - 440 E. Ponce de Leon, Decatur, GA 30306
Next Course: June 19-23, 2023 
Hours: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. with a one-hour lunch (lunch is not provided)
Cost: TBD 

For additional information Contact OG Fellow Natalie Felix 

This course is open to all interested individuals who hold a Bachelor's degree in any area of study.

Swift School's Certified Level course is accredited by the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners & Educators (OGA).   

This 100-hour course is designed to satisfy the Certified Level coursework requirements as determined by the Orton-Gillingham Academy Practitioner & Educators (OGA). Hours are captured with synchronous virtual classes and asynchronous assignments. All coursework is presented by Academy Fellow Natalie Felix and a series of guest Academy Fellows. Participants will receive thorough instruction in the following topics:

Dyslexia
- In-depth knowledge of dyslexia
- Typical Language & Motor Development
- Nature of Reading & Reading Development
- History of Literacy Education
- Communication with students, parents, educators, and other professionals
- Case Management

The Orton-Gillingham Approach
- History & Structure of the English Language
- Phonology-Syllabication, Spelling Rules & Generalizations
- Morphology
    - Affixes
    - Latin Roots/Base Words
    - Greek Combining Forms
    - Suffixes
- Semantics, Syntax, Pragmatics
- Sentence & Paragraph Development
- Handwriting

Individualized Lesson Plan (Morphology)
- Designing an Individualized Lesson Plan Based on Assessment & Performance
- Writing Decodable Text and Analyzing Commercial Products
- Writing & Delivering 1:1 OG Lesson

Assessment
- Interpretation of formal and informal assessment measures used by
   professionals in ancillary fields
- Standardized testing (I.Q., Achievement, Perceptual, Speech & Language)
- Developing & administering informal Measures            

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Course Dates: TBD
Coursework: 100 hours of Orton-Gillingham course work
Location: Swift School - 300 Grimes Bridge Road, Roswell GA 30075
Cost: TBD

For additional information Contact OG Fellow Natalie Felix