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October 2005
From the East
Calling all Masons....calling all Masons!
| We are at an interesting crossroads in Masonry. For many years now we have witnessed a steady decline in numbers. Our average age at St. John's is well over 60, but that is beginning to change. Since I first joined the Craft I have seen a slow increase in younger members - those in their early 30's, late 20's, and now even their early 20's. Our web site is attracting younger men and new members. With new members comes the need for more and more degree work - and this is where many lodges are falling short.
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When you come to a degree, how many brethren do you see on the sidelines? Not many. Often when I visit a lodge holding a degree I take an active role. But, what if I wasn't there? What if a lodge put on a degree, and almost nobody showed? How would you feel as a candidate, brought to Masonic light, if there was nobody else around you, nobody to show you how Masons meet? It is coming to just that, for our whole fraternity. Coming to dinner and a meeting isn't enough to keep Masonry alive. Our newly obligated brethren learn by the actions of each lodge's members. If nobody comes out to the degrees, then how will our new brothers learn to participate in our labors?
You, my brethren of St. John's, have a wealth of experience. It is time to put it to use - to teach our brothers JUST HOW MASONS MEET! If we don't teach the ancient arts and skills of speculative freemasonry then I fear it is only a matter of time before our ways are lost. Think about it What does it mean to have a 25, 40, or even a 50 year pin, if you can't inspire and galvanize a new generation. Even sitting on the sidelines during a degree shows the new initiate that not only is he important to the lodge, but he is important to every brother sitting in the lodge!
We had a 1st degree back in August, with two candidates. Both were so moved by the degree and the brothers who were there, that they want to have parts in the next 1st degree. That is the kind of zeal that we want to see in our candidates, and we as Masons are the ones who can make it happen. There are many degrees ahead, both for St. John's and Greenwood lodges. I encourage and entreat all of you to come out and be a proactive part of the future of St. John's and Freemasonry. Contact our Secretary, or either of the Wardens, and let them know you want to be there for the next degree. Check the notices for degrees coming up, and BE THERE! And if transportation is a problem, let our Secretary know and we'll arrange a ride for you. In fact, I will come and give you a ride myself just to see you out there on the sidelines or in the chairs.
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Joseph Lund, WM
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We now meet at Greenwood Masonic Center - 7910 Greenwood Ave. N.
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ST. JOHN'S LODGE SUPPORTS ACCELERATED READER PROGRAMS
Twenty years ago the idea of computerized reading incentive programs would have sounded like science fiction. Today it is one of the most hotly debated concepts among educators, even among parents: Should children read for "intrinsic" rewards (the pleasure of the book) or should they be enticed to read for "extrinsic" rewards - prizes or rewards (or grades)?
How does accelerated reader work? The school library contains a core collection of popular and traditional children's books, each rated by difficulty (the harder the book, the more points). Accompanying the books is a computer program that poses questions after the student has read the book. Passing the computer quiz earns points for the student reader. This is a substantial management tool for identifying children's reading levels and guiding them to the appropriate books - thus avoiding the pain of students assigned to books that overwhelm them.
The response of most children and schools has been overwhelmingly positive: Students read a significantly larger number of books at all levels as a result of incentives.
1. Students tend to choose more complicated books to get more points.
2. With the increase in usage and demand, the library now contains a larger and newer book collection.
3. The critical need for a school librarian is more universally recognized by the faculty and administration.
4. Students discover favorite authors through their expanded reading time and effort.
5. The computer test is a fairly accurate measure of whether the child read the book (as opposed to book reports that are easily fudged).
6. Because of the increased reading time and print environment, student reading scores improve.
A flawed assumption is that teachers themselves are avid readers. Wrong. Some aren't even occasional readers, as Jan Lieberman found out in January of 2000. It was the height of the Harry Potter craze and the first three titles were setting a record for sales in this century and resting at the top of The New York Times and London Times bestseller lists. Lieberman, a longtime children's literature teacher and librarian in California, did a pre-conference seminar at a prestigious reading conference. Most of the teachers and school librarians attending the conference paid their own way and gave up a weekend, so one could argue they were among the more motivated educators.
Holding aloft one of the Potter books, Lieberman asked her audience, "How many of you have read at least one of the Harry Potter books?" To her surprise, only two of the forty-two teachers and school librarians raised a hand. In effect, the questions asked by the computer after a child has read a book may be mechanical or electronic in nature, but at least the computer has "read the book." Forty out of forty-two teachers couldn't ask any kind of intelligent question about Harry Potter because they hadn't read it.
The Accelerated Reader system is a learning information system that enables freestanding computer-assisted assessment of student comprehension of "real" books. It facilitates:
1. more frequent and more detailed assessment in less time and with greater consistency
2. formative feedback for the student
3. student development of metacognitive awareness
4. increased student motivation to read more, longer, and harder books
5. formative feedback for the teacher
6. class-wide diagnostic information, including alerts regarding students who are at risk
7. teacher encouragement and management of effective reading practice
As students test on more books, the AR system enables close monitoring of general levels of reading performance. The software provides the teacher with an automatically updated analysis of scores for individuals or whole classes; details include average percentage of correctly answered questions, difficulty of books read, points earned, and other diagnostic information. Computer-generated "at-risk reports" enable the teacher to guide each student's reading practice for maximum effectiveness.
The program is currently in use in more than 45,000 U.S. schools (more than 1 in 3) and it is spreading to other countries. Its availability in the Seattle area is extremely limited because of the budget restraints (under-funding) in our local schools.
St. John's No. 9 has assisted with the greater share of the funding for three elementary schools, beginning with John Rogers Elementary in 1998, adding Cedar Way and Sacajewea elementary schools along the way. This is part of our greater commitment to young people through our scholarship program and support of Masonic youth. DeMolay, Rainbow and Job's Daughters assist in moral and leadership development. Reading ability is that foundation for academic support which helps to keep children in school.
Students who leave school without a high school diploma can expect significantly lower wages than their better-educated peers.
QUALITY MASONIC BOOKS SOUGHT
If you have a library which includes good Masonic works, we encourage you to donate your collection to St. John's Lodge or to the Grand Lodge Library & Museum in Tacoma. Good reference materials are always a happy find for those who wish to study the Craft and its history.
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When you're feeling tired in the middle of the day, reach for a glass of water. Fatigue is a common symptom of dehydration. Dehydration can also be mistaken for hunger, as well as cause headaches.
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OFFICER ELECTIONS IN NOVEMBER
Elections of officers will be held at our November 16 Stated Meeting. Past Masters will be honored that evening, also.
If you're interested in seeking a Trustee position, please let the Secretary know prior to the Trestleboard deadline (November 1). Trustees meet quarterly to monitor our investment portfolio and to review other concerns that may be referred to them by the brethren of the lodge.
WELCOME TO ST. JOHN'S
The Master welcomes all to St. John's for our Stated Meeting of October 19. Dinner begins at 6:15. Please let the Secretary know you and a guest will be in attendance so we can give the chef an accurate count!
Immediately following dinner and prior to the business session we will hear from those educators who we are assisting with the Accelerated Reader program. Their remarks should be both interesting and entertaining.
Coming Events
- October 19 (6:15pm) 7:30pm: St. John's 9 (dinner) Stated
- October 22 (7-10pm): District No. 5 Youth Night (Halloween)
- October 26, 5pm: St. John's Lodge No. 9 Trustees meeting
- November 10 (7pm): Entered Apprentice Degree
- November 16 (6:15pm) 7:30pm: St. John's 9 (dinner) Stated Past Masters/Elections
- December 3 (11am): Secrets of the Chair (13 Coins not confirmed) 1pm Greenwood
- December 3 (5pm): Greenwood Lodge Installation of Officers
- December 10 (10am): Installation of Officers (Saturday morning)
Contact Us Here
Worshipful Master: Joseph Lund (425) 271-3173 yosiflund@earthlink.net
Senior Warden: Mark Campbell (425) 398-1398 mark.katherine@verizon.net
Junior Warden: Charles Tupper (206) 406-8670 webmaster@seattlemasons.org
Secretary: Jim Russell (206) 623-0261 stjohns9@seattlemasons.org
Webmaster: Charles Tupper (206) 406-8670 webmaster@seattlemasons.org
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