The Bodine School

Educational Philosophy

The Bodine School's academic program is specifically designed to remediate language-based learning disabilities using Orton-Gillingham based methodologies. The Orton-Gillingham Approach stresses multisensory instruction (visual/auditory/kinesthetic-tactile) and entails direct instruction of English phonology. The principles of instruction and content of a multisensory structured language program are essential for effective remediation. The organization of material follows the logical order of language. The sequence begins with the easiest, most basic elements and progresses methodically to more difficult material.

Phonology and Phonological Awareness: Phonology is the study of sounds and how they work within their environment. A phoneme is the smallest unit of sound in a given language than can be recognized as being distinct from other sounds in the language. An important aspect of phonological awareness is phonemic awareness or the ability to segment words into their component sounds.

Sound-Symbol Association: This is the knowledge of the various sounds in the English language and their correspondence to the letters and combinations of letters which represent those sounds. Sound-symbol association is taught and mastered in two directions: visual to auditory and auditory to visual. Additionally, students learn to master the blending of sounds and letters into words as well as the segmenting of whole words into individual sounds.

Syllable Instruction: A syllable is a unit of oral or written language with one vowel sound. Instruction includes the teaching of the six basic syllable types in the English language: closed, vowel-consonant-e, open, consonant-le, r-controlled, and diphthong. Syllable division rules are directly taught in relation to word structure.

Morphology: Morphology is the study of how morphemes are combined from words. A morpheme is the smallest unit of meaning in language. The curriculum includes the study of base words, roots, prefixes, and suffixes.

Syntax: Syntax is the set of principles that dictate the sequence and function of words in a sentence in order to convey meaning. This includes grammar, sentence variation, and the mechanics of language.

Semantics: Semantics is the aspect of language concerned with meaning. The curriculum includes instruction in the comprehension of written language.

Handwriting: Students are specifically taught letter formation and letter connections with emphasis placed on the automaticity of cursive letter formation. Cursive handwriting is emphasized because of its continuous, fluid motion.

The Orton-Gillingham Approach is cognitive, teaching students to think through language problems when reading and spelling. English is 85% predictable when one knows the rules.