CCPS phonics instruction boosted through OG model
- Shanda Crosby
- Sep 16, 2025
- 2 min read
In just two years, the Orton-Gillingham phonics instructional method has sparked a powerful shift in our elementary classrooms.
OG is helping our students boost their reading skills, catch up on literacy gaps, and build a strong foundation for learning that lasts a lifetime.
CCPS is now in the third year using the Orton-Gillingham model with all K-4 teachers trained and new teachers trained annually.
Rooted in structured, multisensory instruction, OG breaks language down into manageable parts and teaches students how sounds, letters, and patterns work together.
“By investing in this proven method, CCPS ensures that all students, especially those with reading challenges like dyslexia, have access to the tools they need to thrive,” said Kelly Fithen, Assistant Superintendent and Chief Academic Officer. She added that the OG technique also forms the basis for the Literacy Lift-Off summer program.
OG Coach Kim Woodard will visit the district multiple times this school year to work with teachers and reinforce best practices.
Ms. Woodard said the OG model’s effectiveness is grounded in the following:
Multiple visits per year to provide side-by-side coaching and support
Live and collaborative modeling in classrooms
Gradual release of responsibility to teachers, with real-time feedback
Sequential approach beginning with letter-level instruction (starts with “M”) that progresses across three years of content, culminating in homophones.
Individualized lessons carefully tailored to each student’s needs and pace
Multisensory tools to boost retention
One unique aspect of OG is its incorporation of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic activities.
“We use sand, screens, crayons and other multisensory tools to make sure kids are using their eyes, their ears, their mouths, and their hands simultaneously as much as possible,” Ms. Woodard said. “The more ways you put things into your brain, the more ways you have to retrieve them.”
Ms. Woodard coaches our teachers as they are teaching OG lessons. “You can make greater academic gains when you have someone come in and give real-time feedback,” Ms. Woodard said. “It’s a collaborative side-by-side model where I am able to teach the correct procedure and hand it right back off to the teacher to practice.”
This method—direct modeling followed by gradual release—helps teachers gain confidence and precision with OG routines. “Fluency takes time and practice,” Ms. Woodard said. “Our current focus is improving fidelity of implementation to maximize results.”
Ms. Fithen said teachers across the district love OG’s structured, sequential approach to phonics instruction.
“The beauty of OG is its ability to benefit all types of learners in mastering foundational literacy skills,” Ms. Fithen said. “The gains we have experienced in our district over the past two years are phenomenal. We are seeing countless students become confident, independent readers.”
