Children need reading practice to become fluent readers. They need to read daily for at least 20 minutes. Because the Orton-Gillingham reading program goes by skill level, it is really difficult to find outside reading books that match the program to give these kids the extra practice they need — especially during or after orton-gillingham training sessions. I am going to give you Orton-Gillingham book suggestions for tutors, teachers, and homeschooling parents on which books you can read and use to encourage more reading practice outside of your Orton-Gillingham lessons.
I am basing the Levels on The PRIDE Reading Program, but in general, it should work with whichever Orton-Gillingham program you are using.
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Orton-Gillingham Level 1
If your child is working through Orton-Gillingham Level 1 and learning beginning consonants and short vowels, then you will want to start with the simplest books, and as your child learns more letters, sounds, and more sight words, you can gradually work your way up to longer and more interesting books. Here are some of my favorite simple books to begin with: click on the link to get more info on the book.
Bob Books, Set 1: Beginning Readers
Big Shark, Little Shark (Step into Reading)
Pete the Cat: Scuba-Cat (My First I Can Read)
Meg and Jim’s Sled Trip (Books to Remember Series)
Jen’s Best Gift Ever (Books to Remember Series)
Orton-Gillingham Levels 2 and 3
Orton-Gillingham Levels 2 and 3 consist of long vowels, more sight words, and beginning compound and multisyllabic words. The options of outside reading books finally open up to so much more! Whew!!! Here are some of my favorites: click on the link to get more info on the book.
The Berenstain Bears and the Spooky Old Tree
Snug House, Bug House (Bright & Early Books(R))
Fred and Ted Go Camping (Beginner Books(R))
Fred and Ted Like to Fly (Beginner Books)
Go, Dog Go (I Can Read It All By Myself, Beginner Books)
Wacky Wednesday (Beginner Books(R))
Old Hat New Hat (Bright & Early Board Books(TM))
Put Me In the Zoo (Bright & Early Board Books(TM))
Hooper Humperdink…? Not Him! (Bright & Early Books(R))
Are You My Mother? (Bright & Early Board Books(TM))
A Fish Out of Water (Beginner Books)
The Big Honey Hunt, 50th Anniversary Edition (The Berenstain Bears)
The Shape of Me and Other Stuff: Dr. Seuss’s Surprising Word Book
I Want to Be Somebody New! (Beginner Books(R))
Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You : Dr. Seuss’s Book of Wonderful Noises (Bright and Early Board Books)
The Berenstain Bears and the Missing Dinosaur Bone
A Fly Went by (Beginner Books(R))
The Berenstain Bears on the Moon
The Berenstain Bears He Bear, She Bear
In a People House (Bright & Early Books(R))
One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish (I Can Read It All by Myself)
Flap Your Wings (Beginner Books(R))
Mrs. Wow Never Wanted a Cow (Beginner Books(R))
Stop, Train, Stop! A Thomas the Tank Engine Story
Dr. Seuss’s ABC: An Amazing Alphabet Book!
Fox in Socks (Beginner Books(R))
Have You Seen My Dinosaur? (Beginner Books(R))
I Am Not Going to Get Up Today!
The Tooth Book (Bright & Early Board Books(TM))
There’s a Wocket in My Pocket! (Dr. Seuss’s Book of Ridiculous Rhymes)
Thomas and Friends: Trains, Cranes and Troublesome Trucks (Thomas & Friends) (Beginner Books(R))
Because a Little Bug Went Ka-Choo
I Can Read With My Eyes Shut! (Beginner Books)
I Wish That I Had Duck Feet (Beginner Books)
Please Try to Remember the First of Octember! (Beginner Books)
Babar Loses His Crown (Babar (Harry N. Abrams))
The Digging-Est Dog (Beginner Books(R))
Honey Bunny Funnybunny (Beginner Books(R))
It’s Not Easy Being a Bunny (Beginner Series)
Thank You, Amelia Bedelia (I Can Read Book Level 2)
Mr. Putter & Tabby Toot the Horn
Henry And Mudge in the Family Trees
Nate the Great, San Francisco Detective
Morris and Boris at the Circus (I Can Read Level 1)
Commander Toad and the Space Pirates
Orton-Gillingham Levels 4 and 5
Kids working through Orton-Gillingham Levels 4 and 5 can begin reading easy transitional chapter books. Here are some of my favorites: click on the link to get more info on the book.
Niagara Falls, Or Does It? 1 (Hank Zipzer)
Mercy Watson Boxed Set: Adventures of a Porcine Wonder
Detective Camp (A to Z Mysteries Super Edition, No. 1)
Flat Stanley: His Original Adventure!
Ivy & Bean’s Secret Treasure Box (Books 1-3)
The Hidden Stairs and the Magic Carpet (The Secrets of Droon, Book 1)
Lost Treasure of the Emerald Eye (Geronimo Stilton, No. 1)
Frankie Pickle and the Closet of Doom
Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds
Horrible Harry and the Green Slime
Junie B. Jones Complete First Grade Collection Box set
I hope this list gives you a nice selection of outside reading books to enjoy with your children while you are working through an Orton-Gillingham reading program.
Please don’t leave without checking out the PRIDE Reading Program. The PRIDE Reading Program is an Orton-Gillingham curriculum that is used by teachers, tutors, and homeschooling parents worldwide with great success.
Karina Richland, M.A., is the author of the PRIDE Reading Program, a multisensory Orton-Gillingham reading, writing and comprehension curriculum that is available worldwide for parents, tutors, teachers and homeschoolers of struggling readers. Karina has an extensive background in working with students of all ages and various learning modalities. She has spent many years researching learning differences and differentiated teaching practices. You can reach her by email at info@pridereadingprogram.com or visit the website at www.pridereadingprogram.com