From the RevGals … Friday Five Meme

My late mother-in-law thought of September as the “real” New Year because of the number of programs and classes starting. By Labor Day, school is back in session for most of us in the U.S., although there is great variation by region (my children don’t return until Sept. 7th!). To mark this, we bring you the Back to School Friday Five.

Aside … I think this is very appropriate for me this week as I’ve spent the week purging our school room of old books and papers and getting it ready for our new year to begin next week. I’ve got a couple more hours to put in over the weekend and all will be ready for LightGirl and LightBoy on Monday morning (imagine dreary organ music here)!!!

1. What is your earliest memory of school?

I went to what used to be referred to as nursery school. Now it’s called pre-school. I think I went a couple of mornings or afternoons a week. I remember that we had nap time. After nap time was snacks and it was highly sought after to be chosen to be the snack or drink assistant. My best memory of that school tho was that in the playground there was an old car that had had the tires and windows removed. We would swarm on the car and “go on trips.” We were all good about taking turns “driving.” Kids rode on the roof and on the hood and everywhere. Playing on that car was the most fun ever.

2. Who was a favorite teacher in your early education?

My first and second grade teacher, Mrs. Metakos. I thought she was beautiful, smart and wonderful.

3. What do you remember about school “back then” that is different from what you know about schools now?

The way they teach children to read was much different. I learned using phonics (using the infamous “Dick & Jane” books). Now they teach using whole language or some combination of the two (and can use just about anything!).

4. Did you have to memorize in school? If so, share a poem or song you learned.

I think I did. But I don’t remember … isn’t that terrible??

5. Did you ever get in trouble at school? Were there any embarrassing moments you can share?

The only time I ever got into trouble was for something I didn’t actually do, it was for something I was pretending to do. I went to school in a very old 2 room school house with horsehair plaster on the walls. Someone was mysteriously chipping out a large hole in the plaster at the top of the stairs when I was in 2nd or 3rd grade. One day I was standing in line waiting to go outside for something and I turned to my friend, picked a tiny piece of plaster out and said, “I bet this is how that guy is getting away with it,” and a teacher saw me!! I don’t remember my punishment … I just remember the injustice of it all. And that no one would believe that I was NOT the perpetrator.