Dr. Anna Gillingham

Honoring Dr. Anna Gillingham: The Educator Behind Multisensory Learning

When we think of educational pioneers who changed the way we support learners with dyslexia, Dr. Anna Gillingham's name shines brightly. A gifted educator and psychologist, Anna Gillingham worked alongside Dr. Samuel Orton to develop a groundbreaking method that would forever change reading instruction for struggling learners—the Orton-Gillingham approach.

Anna Gillingham, born in 1878, dedicated her life to education and understanding how children learn best. At a time when many children with learning differences were left behind, she saw the potential in every child. Together with Dr. Orton, she combined her expertise in education with his neurological insights to create a structured, multisensory method of teaching reading, spelling, and writing. This approach brought hope to countless children who previously struggled to learn using traditional methods.

Kit's Connection

In Kit's Reading Adventure, the impact of Dr. Gillingham's work comes to life through Kit's story. Kit's journey with dyslexia reflects the experiences of many children who have benefited from the Orton-Gillingham approach. With the support of caring educators and the use of multisensory tools, Kit finds her way through the challenges of learning to read. The story shows that every learner, no matter their struggles, can achieve success with the right support.

The methods that Anna Gillingham helped to develop are reflected in Kit's Discovery Journal, where readers are encouraged to use multiple senses—writing, drawing, and reflecting—to connect with their own learning process. The journal serves as a reminder of the importance of using all available tools to make learning meaningful and engaging. Kit's journey is one of resilience, and it mirrors the experiences of so many children who have been helped by the methods Anna Gillingham pioneered.

In celebrating Anna Gillingham, we honor the dedication, compassion, and innovative spirit that she brought to education. Her belief that every child can learn, given the right approach, continues to inspire educators and students today. Just as Kit finds strength in her journey, we hope young readers will see themselves in her story and recognize that there are educators like Anna Gillingham who have paved the way for their success.

‍Kit's Reflection

If I could thank Dr. Gillingham, I would tell her how much her work changed my life. Learning to read was so hard for me, and there were times I wanted to give up. But the tools that she helped create made all the difference. I remember using my hands to trace letters in sand, feeling the shapes as I said the sounds out loud. It wasn't easy, but it made learning feel real and possible. I learned that it was okay to learn differently, and that my way of learning was just as important as anyone else's.

To any kid out there who feels like reading is too hard: don't give up. The way you learn is important, and there are people who understand and want to help. Keep going. Every time you try, you get a little bit stronger, and every step forward is a step worth celebrating.

Vocabulary & Morphology

1. Multisensory
   • Definition: A teaching approach that uses multiple senses (e.g., visual, auditory, kinesthetic) to help children learn, especially helpful for those with dyslexia.
   • Prefix: multi- (meaning "many" or "multiple," from Latin)
   • Root: sens- (meaning "feeling" or "perception," from Latin sentire meaning "to feel")
   • Suffix: -ory (pertaining to, from Latin)
2. Structured
   • Definition: Organized in a clear, specific way to provide support and predictability.
   • Root: struct- (meaning "to build" or "to put together," from Latin structura)
   • Suffix: -ed (indicating a past participle, used to form adjectives)
3. Gillingham
   • Definition: Refers to Anna Gillingham, an educator who co-developed the Orton-Gillingham approach to support learners with dyslexia. This is a proper noun and does not have a morphological breakdown.

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