Comparison of Montessori Early Childhood Literacy and Orton-Gillingham Reading Instruction

 Comparison of Montessori Early Childhood Literacy and Orton-Gillingham Reading Instruction

Aspect	Montessori Early Childhood Literacy	Orton-Gillingham (OG) Reading Instruction
Philosophy	Literacy instruction is direct, explicit, and individualized. Teachers provide one-on-one or small-group lessons, ensuring mastery before independent practice. Learning is multisensory and hands-on, following a structured progression.	Explicit, direct, and systematic phonics-based instruction designed to build strong reading foundations, particularly for struggling readers. Lessons are diagnostic and cumulative.
Methodology	Teachers give direct instruction in letter sounds, phonemes, and writing skills before students practice. Lessons are sequential and progress from concrete to abstract.	Lessons follow a structured, systematic sequence, focusing on phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, and comprehension.
Instructional Approach	One-on-one or small-group direct instruction, followed by hands-on, independent practice. Concepts are explicitly taught before students work with materials.	Explicit, teacher-led instruction with direct phonics and decoding strategies. Learning builds cumulatively with ongoing assessment.
Letter Formation & Phonemes	Students trace sandpaper letters while simultaneously hearing and saying the sound. Letter formation is explicitly modeled by the teacher before practice.	Students use multisensory techniques (e.g., air writing, sand trays) to reinforce letter-sound connections.
Hands-on Learning	Direct instruction precedes independent work. Students use moveable alphabets, phonetic objects, and hands-on materials to build words.	Uses manipulatives like letter tiles, finger writing, and tactile surfaces to reinforce phonics concepts.
Pacing & Individualization	Lessons are tailored to each child’s progress. Teachers work one-on-one to ensure understanding before moving forward.	Students move through a structured, sequential program at their own pace, with reteaching as needed.
Phonics Instruction	Explicit phonics instruction is taught through letter sounds, blending, and word-building activities.	Explicit and systematic phonics instruction with direct teaching of syllables, spelling rules, and word structures.
Reading & Decoding	Direct instruction in phonemic awareness, blending, and decoding before students practice independently. Phonics is taught in context with word-building activities.	Phonemic awareness and phonics are explicitly taught before students apply decoding strategies to text.
Target Audience	All learners benefit from explicit, structured, multisensory instruction. Montessori literacy is highly effective for early readers and struggling learners.	Originally designed for students with dyslexia, OG is now widely used for all students who benefit from structured literacy instruction.
Grammar & Morphology	Grammar is taught explicitly using hands-on materials like colored symbols for parts of speech.	Systematic instruction in morphology (prefixes, suffixes, root words) for decoding and comprehension.
Spelling & Writing	Writing instruction is explicit and sequential. Children use moveable alphabets and phonetic spelling before transitioning to handwriting.	Spelling rules and writing conventions are explicitly taught alongside phonics.
Classroom Structure	Teacher-led direct instruction in small groups or one-on-one, followed by independent practice. The teacher monitors progress and reteaches as needed.	Highly structured, with explicit, teacher-led instruction and direct intervention for struggling students.

Similarities

1. Both use direct, explicit instruction – Teachers model and explain concepts before students practice.
2. Multisensory learning – Both approaches engage sight, sound, touch, and movement.
3. Phonemic awareness and phonics focus – Both emphasize foundational literacy skills.
4. Mastery-based learning – Students progress based on demonstrated proficiency.

Key Differences

• Montessori delivers direct instruction one-on-one or in small groups before students practice independently.
• OG follows a fixed, sequential program, whereas Montessori adjusts pacing to each child’s needs.
• Montessori uses hands-on materials for phonics and grammar, while OG relies more on direct phonics instruction and structured exercises.
• Montessori integrates reading and writing early, whereas OG ensures decoding skills are strong before writing is emphasized.

Both methods are structured, explicit, and direct, making them powerful approaches for teaching literacy. Montessori’s individualized, hands-on instruction complements OG’s structured, phonics-based approach.

 The cost of implementing Montessori early childhood literacy and Orton-Gillingham (OG) reading instruction varies based on factors such as teacher training, materials, and curriculum implementation. Here's a breakdown:

Montessori Early Childhood Literacy – Cost Considerations

1. Teacher Training
• Montessori training programs range from $2,000 to $15,000+, depending on certification level (e.g., Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) or American Montessori Society (AMS)).
• Some schools require a full Montessori diploma, which can cost $10,000 to $15,000 for early childhood certification.
2. Materials & Classroom Setup
• A fully equipped Montessori classroom (including sandpaper letters, moveable alphabets, phonetic objects, grammar symbols, and phonics materials) can cost $5,000 to $20,000.
• Individual materials for literacy instruction alone might cost $500 to $2,000 per classroom.
3. Curriculum Costs
• Many Montessori schools develop their own curriculum, but pre-made Montessori literacy curriculums can cost $500 to $3,000 per classroom.
4. School Implementation
• Converting a classroom or school to a full Montessori model is a significant investment, often $50,000+ per classroom, including materials and training.

Orton-Gillingham (OG) Reading Instruction – Cost Considerations

1. Teacher Training & Certification
• OG training varies widely. Introductory courses start at $500 to $1,500, while full certification (such as through the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators) can cost $3,000 to $5,000.
• Advanced levels and dyslexia interventionist training can exceed $10,000.
2. Materials & Curriculum
• Many OG-based programs require structured literacy materials, such as:
• Wilson Reading System: $1,000+ per classroom
• Barton Reading & Spelling System: $3,000+ for full program
• Recipe for Reading or Logic of English: $300 to $1,000
3. Student Workbooks & Tools
• Schools may need additional student kits, which cost $100 to $300 per student per year.
4. School Implementation
• A district-wide OG implementation with trained teachers and materials can cost $50,000 to $200,000+, depending on the scale.

Overall Cost Comparison

Expense	Montessori Literacy	Orton-Gillingham
Teacher Training	$2,000 - $15,000+	$500 - $10,000+
Materials & Curriculum	$500 - $5,000+	$500 - $3,000+
Full Classroom Setup	$5,000 - $20,000+	$1,000 - $5,000+
Schoolwide Implementation	$50,000+ per classroom	$50,000 - $200,000+

Which is more expensive?

• Montessori literacy programs are more expensive upfront because of the classroom materials and extensive teacher training.
• Orton-Gillingham programs can also be costly, especially when implementing structured literacy programs like Wilson or Barton at scale, but it is often easier to integrate into traditional classrooms.