Have a dyslexic or struggling reader?

We help students make sense of reading and spelling.

763.639.0813

Have a dyslexic or struggling reader?

We help students make sense of reading and spelling.

What is Orton Gillingham Instruction?

The Orton Gillingham approach to reading instruction is proven to help readers.

Developed by Samuel Orton, Anna Gillingham and Bessie Stillman more than 90 years ago, Orton Gillingham is a structured approach to reading instruction that has become synonymous with the science of reading. Orton Gillingham is:

individualized
multisensory
phonetic
analytic
systematic and logical
sequential
cumulative and integrated
cognitive
emotionally sound

Orton Gillingham is a foundational, cumulative approach that teaches common patterns in the English language as students are ready to learn them. As concepts are mastered, new ones are added. The student sets the pace, which boosts feelings of success and limits frustrations.

This visual, auditory, kinesthetic and tactile approach reinforces learning, creating new pathways in students' brains to build automaticity with reading (decoding), spelling (encoding) and writing. The Orton Gillingham approach reinforces The Five Pillars of Literacy.

The Five Pillars of Literacy

Phonemic Awareness

This is the awareness of the smallest units of sound that make up spoken language. When those units of sound--phonemes--are heard, students can understand that words are composed of sounds. Being able to distinguish differences in sounds helps to create a distinction between words.

Phonics

Phonics takes phonological awareness to the next level. It helps students learn that sounds are attached to letters, and that the letters are what represent those sounds--the alphabetic principle. When the letters are combined, words are formed in print, which is the basis of reading and spelling.

Fluency

As phonemic awareness and phonics are refined, fluency, or the ability to recognize and read words accurately, quickly and expressively, develops. The goal is to read aloud just as well as a person speaks during conversation.

Vocabulary

As a reader engages with content, it is critical that meaning develops. Knowing not only how to read words, but also the meaning behind the words aids in comprehension. An expansive vocabulary leads to greater comprehension.

Comprehension

This is the purpose of reading--to retain and understand what is being read, attach meaning to it and gain knowledge. It is the culmination of the five pillars of literacy which leads to critical thinking: interpreting and questioning what was read to form thoughts and opinions about it.

Meet Jill

I have always loved reading. It came naturally to me. Having an elementary school teacher for a mom meant that I was always read to as a child, from the womb on. Stories fascinated me, and when I could read on my own, I did so voraciously. I flat-out loved to read.

Reading doesn't always have that effect on everyone. Sometimes reading feels difficult and frustrating. Maybe even pointless. To a struggling reader, attempts at reading may induce anxiety and negativity. I get it.

Yet while not everyone needs to love to read, everyone does need to know how to read.

Using an Orton Gillingham approach providing direct, explicit reading instruction, I am able to connect individually with students to meet them where they are at, reinforce what they know, and help them to expand their reading and spelling abilities through phonemic awareness and phonics.

As a mom to a dyslexic son, I have been down the bumpy path you and your child may be traveling, from your first wonders about reading and spelling ability through diagnosis and remediation. I am here to help.

Being infatuated with words, reading and writing, I have a passion for teaching students about word patterns, sounds, and how to decode and encode (read and spell). But I get it that not everything comes easily. As a teacher, I am empathetic. Some things take longer than others to master. And that's okay. We're going at the student's pace, and we're in this together.

Above all, the goal is building students' feelings of success. Elevating self-confidence is critical. Often students come into tutoring feeling like they're "dumb" or "failing" because they--or others--are comparing themselves to their classmates. Recognizing each individual's strengths builds self-esteem and elevates self confidence. Helping your child see and realize their potential is a top priority. I believe in your student and am here to ensure they leave every lesson with a feeling of success and accomplishment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please contact us if you cannot find an answer to your question.

What makes Orton Gillingham instruction successful?

It is multisensory. Students learn best when information is presented in multiple modes. Using a visual, auditory, kinesthetic and tactile approach, we help train the brain to orthographically map words.

What is orthographic mapping?

This is the process used to permanently store written words into our long-term memory bank. It allows a person to see a word, sound it out as they are reading or writing it, and store what that word looks and sounds like within the brain. This allows a person to automatically read a word--without laboring over every sound a letter makes--and know its meaning, instantaneously.

What ages of students do you work with?

Typically, students are first through eighth grade ages. Pre-readers who are in their second half of kindergarten are also good candidates for instruction. The initial assessment is a strong indicator of a student's needs, which don't always relate to grade level; therefore, the student may be older than the given range.

Where do you tutor students?

Most sessions occur over the Internet, meeting online via Zoom. Within the western Minneapolis suburbs, in-person sessions may also be available.

Online meetings mean that although we are based in Minnesota, sessions may occur with students anywhere in the United States!

What is needed for online sessions?

Your student should have a laptop computer with video conferencing capability, noise-cancelling headset with microphone, a reliable Internet connection and a private place to work at a table or desk. Paper and a pen round out the needs. We'll provide the rest!

How do we get started?

I will first meet with your son or daughter to assess phonemic awareness, handwriting, reading and spelling abilities. This is typically a one-hour session.

How long and often are sessions?

Lessons are taught in structured, 55-minute sessions. We recommend a minimum of two sessions a week, typically with a day off in between sessions. For an even more intense focus, 3-5 sessions a week are advantageous for heightened exposure and practice with reading and spelling, which promotes automaticity and greater retention.

How many sessions will be needed to help my student progress?

Every student is unique and treated as such. Students show where they are at and when they are ready and comfortable to progress to new material. Because of the individuality of progress, some concepts may be easy for a student to grasp while others take longer. The goal is automaticity--teaching so that the student is automatic in reading and spelling the words correctly at least 90% of the time.

What is the cost per session, and when is payment due?

Each 55-minute session is $75. This investment includes cost for lesson plan preparation and materials as well as the 55-minute session with the student. All session content is uniquely planned for each student based on individual student needs and progress. Scheduling and communication with parents are also included in this investment.

Payment for sessions is due monthly, one week before a session start date. Payments can be made via credit card using Venmo, cash or check. Sessions being booked far in advance of the start date require a $100 deposit to hold the spot. Should the reservation be cancelled, the deposit is retained by Well Read Reading Tutors. Session times will not be held if payment has not been remitted. If the spot is retained, the deposit will be put toward session fees.

What if my student misses a session due to illness?

The session may be rescheduled to another time that month.

What if I have a conflict and need to cancel a session?

Cancellations may be made within 24 hours of a session. Payment will be held to reschedule the session. Frequent cancellations and rescheduling may result in loss of preference or termination of services.

Have a dyslexic or struggling reader?

Have a dyslexic or struggling reader?

Welcome

What is Orton Gillingham Instruction?

The Orton Gillingham approach to reading instruction is proven to help readers.

The Five Pillars of Literacy

Phonemic Awareness

Phonics

Fluency

Vocabulary

Comprehension

About Us

Jill Maki, C-OGRS-I Certified Orton Gillingham reading specialist

Meet Jill

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Us

Let's talk about your student's needs.

Well Read Reading Tutors

Session Hours

Have a dyslexic or struggling reader?

Have a dyslexic or struggling reader?

Welcome

What is Orton Gillingham Instruction?

The Orton Gillingham approach to reading instruction is proven to help readers.

The Five Pillars of Literacy

Phonemic Awareness

Phonics

Fluency

Vocabulary

Comprehension

About Us

Jill Maki, C-OGRS-I Certified Orton Gillingham reading specialist

Meet Jill

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Us

Let's talk about your student's needs.

Well Read Reading Tutors

Session Hours

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