Discover the power of the Orton-Gillingham approach! This is a graduate level course taken in just over 3 weeks. Classes meet weekdays in The Reading Center's Rochester building from 8am-4:30pm. In the mornings, lectures will be given and a staff person will facilitate participatory activities interspersed throughout the lectures. In the afternoons, trainees will engage in a supervised practicum with a student.

Since 1951, licensed teachers (regular education, special education, ELL, reading, speech/language, and Title 1), paraprofessionals, home educators, parents, and even grandparents have taken our training courses, which are designed to help those who struggle unexpectedly learning to read, write, and spell.

The Orton-Gillingham Approach, as taught by highly qualified Reading Center instructors, employs comprehensive, scientifically based reading instruction. During the Institutes, participants will learn the approach, the structure of the English language, and apply what's been learned by planning and teaching actual lessons. The training is intense but extremely valuable and life-changing.

Trainees in Basic Training Institute are provided with:

• An awareness of visual & auditory drills
• An opportunity to begin to learn the basic phonetic/ linguistic structure of English
• Hands-on in class practice, plus planning and teaching actual lessons with a student

Trainees successfully completing Basic Training Institute (with practicum) are equipped to begin providing this approach with struggling students in grades 1-5.

This is a 120-hour course that includes supervised practicum with a student.

Pre-requisite

Prior to the beginning of the course, trainees must complete the ten-hour online Subscriber Course offered by the Orton-Gillingham Academy, and send a copy of their completion certificate to The Reading Center.

Timing

The course begins at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 4:30 p.m. each weekday. In the morning, there will be lectures on Orton-Gillingham theory, interspersed with participatory activities led by an instructor. Following a break for lunch (wherein trainees must bring or obtain their own lunch), the afternoon will consist of supervised Practicum.

Materials

Trainees are provided with Orton-Gillingham manuals and all other class materials.

Student Practicum

An important aspect of this course is the Practicum, where you will provide 10 lessons to a real struggling reader, supervised by an experienced instructor. The Reading Center will provide the student for Practicum.

Technology

Trainees will need a working computer with internet access, as well as a Google account in order to access online materials.

Graduate Credits

Graduate credits are available through Minnesota State University - Moorhead. You must have a four-year degree in order to apply for graduate credits. Graduate course credit is in addition to course tuition and is the responsibility of the student. Six credits are available for an additional fee to the university.

Certificate of Completion

A certificate of successful completion will be presented to those who satisfactorily complete the required coursework and pass the examinations.

Payment

Full payment for classes is due upon registration. Limited scholarships and payment plans are available. Minnesota residents are invited to use the coupon code, MNRES at checkout to apply the Minnesota Resident Discount.

To inquire about a scholarship or about payment by invoice (such as an invoice that will be paid by a school you are employed at) don't hesitate to get in touch with Jemma Anderbeck at janderbeck@hereadingcenter.org.

The Reading Center reserves the right to cancel (and refund tuition) for classes if not enough registrations are received.