Dyslexia is estimated to affect some 15% of our population - more than 2 million school-age children in the United States. Although these children typically have average or above-average intelligence, their Dyslexia can create difficulties not only with reading, writing and spelling but also with listening, thinking, talking and arithmetic.

These academic problems can lead to emotional and self-esteem problems throughout their lives. With early diagnosis and appropriate instruction, these children can learn - and can enjoy learning - at their own age level.

But....

Programs to treat Dyslexia have been few and far between. Most communities have little or no funding to support the facilities and staffing needed to properly address this disability.

Offering services free of charge...

In creating the 32 Masonic Learning centers for Children, it has been our mission to provide professional treatment - free of charge - to children with Dyslexia. Services are made available to children on a first-come first-served basis.

We are all committed to increasing public awareness of Dyslexia as well as improving the standards of care through research and education.

Reaching more children...

In the years to come, we expect to have at least 55 Learning Centers operation throughout the 15-states Northern Masonic Jurisdiction.

These learning Centers will bring our free services and proven teaching methods to more communities and to more children.

Setting high standards...

Each Learning Center provides a highly qualified staff of teachers, specially trained in the treatment of Dyslexia. After professional assessment and evaluation of the students needs, the staff then provides customized one-on-one instruction using a variety of techniques. In addition, each Learning Center provides training for local teachers or volunteers who want to tutor children with Dyslexia.

Showing progress and promise...

Children have made substantial advances through their work at our Learning Centers. Here are some descriptions of their progress in the words of their parents:

"...our sincere appreciation for the gift of literacy you provide. All of you have significantly touched the lives of our children forever..."

"...our child's improvement in reading has been nothing short of miraculous. She is now reading to us and to her 4-year-old brother..."

"Not only have her reading skills grown but her confidence and self-esteem have grown as well."

Supported by the 32nd Degree Masons...

The 32 Mason is a non-profit fraternal organization that annually provides financial support to a number of charities. In 1994, it established an Endowment Fund to be used for the creation of Masonic Learning Centers and operating funding throughout its 15-state jurisdiction.

Finding new ways to defeat Dyslexia...

Since 1994, hundreds of children have received specialized instruction at the 32 Masonic Learning Centers, enabling them to overcome the effects of Dyslexia. We are pledged to continue to offer this service to as many children as we can - free of charge. In addition to serving more children through a growing number of Learning Centers, we provide guidance and funding for other means to defeat Dyslexia, such as teacher tutor programs, research, and scholarships for teachers.

Growing with the help of many...

While all contributions benefit children with Dyslexia, donors to the 32 Masonic Learning Centers for Children can designate how they want their gifts to be used. The 32 Masonic Learning Centers for Children, Inc. is exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service and all contributions are tax deductible.

What is Orton Gillingham Multisensory Instruction???

In Orton Gillingham lessons the teacher uses the auditory, visual, and kinesthetic pathways of the student in order to enhance memory and learning. A card deck on which are written the letters, and letter combinations of the English language is used. The letter/sound combinations are presented in a logical order. Rules and concepts of the language are taught. Each unit is taught separately. Each Lesson builds upon the previous lesson. An individual lesson consists of an auditory, Visual and blending drill. In the Visual Drill, the teacher shows the student the cards. The student pronounces the sound of the letter/letters. If the student gives the incorrect response, the teacher helps the child recall the correct sound. The child then traces the letters and simultaneously pronounces the correct sound. In the Auditory Drill, the teacher pronounces a sound. The student writes the letter/letters that represent the sound. If the student writes an incorrect response, the teacher asks the student to read what he/she wrote. The teacher allows time for the student to self correct. If need be the teacher assists in the correct spelling. The word is then rewritten by the student. In the Blending Drill, the cards are placed in three stacks in front of the student. The student using his/her finger to follow from card to card, blends the letters and says the word or nonsense word. If a letter is mispronounced, the student traces the letter to retrieve the sound. Material is taught and reviewed in a multi-sensory manner. Letters are traced or written simultaneously as they are pronounced. The lessons are systematic and cumulative. Each lesson is based on what the child knows. New sounds and concepts are learned piece by piece through the direct instruction of a specially trained tutor or teacher. Previously learned material is always reviewed. Error patterns of the student are carefully analyzed by the teacher. Lessons consist of sounds/symbol relationship, syllable division, spelling rules, rules for adding endings, the understanding of prefixes, suffixes and roots, etc.

The purpose of the instruction is to provide the student with a structure of the language which allows him/her to become an independent reader and writer.