FAQ-Level 1
Question: What is the best way to teach students their letters when they are in Level 1?
(After further clarification from Susan, the information I shared on the LC Session on 2-11-09 was partly incorrect as it relates to teaching kids their letters.)
Answer: First, there is not one Orton-Gillingham program that teaches a systematic way to learn letters. You can use any curriculum to teach them their letters. The Barton Program assumes that students would have been exposed to these letters previously, but if they haven’t, below is what she recommends. Beside the first bullet point, you can pick which way would work best for your student.
· When your student is working in Level 1, do not teach letters and sounds during that time; however, it is OK to do Handwriting without Tears. You don’t have to refer to the names of the letters, while still in Level 1. This will help prepare him for writing the words in Level 2.
Other options to choose from:
· Take a few weeks to teach the letters and sounds before beginning Level 2.
· Before each lesson of Level 2, you can take some time to teach the letter names and/or sounds of the letters coming up and then do the lessons.
· You may begin Level 2 no matter how many letters and sounds they know. If the letter names are confusing, you may just use the sounds and not refer to the names during the lessons. It is more important for them to learn the letter sounds, than the names. It is ok if they begin Level 2 and don’t know any of the sounds and have to put 6 new sounds on the “Sound Sheet”.
· While working on these lessons, it is encouraged to play lots of games, such as, “Go Fish” or “Memory” where the students are working on their sounds in a fun way.
