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School Artifacts

Many of these school artifacts will bring back memories of rural school days. The pointer, protractor, bell, etc. were all part of the past. They have been replaced by such things as laser beams and buzzers. Even the blackboard which was used all the time is often replaced by sheets done on the computer and printed for students. Overheads are also used extensively.

Chalk which was dusty and messy has to some extent been replaced by special markers. Chalk, however, is still used today. We all remember cleaning the dust out of those chalk brushes. Someone always managed to end up with chalk dust on his clothes. (Usually put there by another student).

All classrooms had a globe. Some even had a globe on a pulley attached to the ceiling. They could be pulled down when needed.

The set of encyclopedias were frequently used for research. Today a classroom teacher would have her students do their research in the computer lab.

Remember the little bell that sat on the teacher’s desk. If there was too much noise in the classroom the teacher would hit it with her finger to quiet things down. This little dinger could also be used to indicate "time is up - put your pencils down". This might be for a timed reading test.

Keeping good records was an arduous task for all teachers. They had to record attendance, transfers in and out, land description for all students and truancy. Attendance records had to balance up and down the rows at the end of the month. When the inspector visited he was required to sign the register.

Report cards were also a laborious task. Records had to be kept on each student. Exams were made up given and graded so these report cards could be completed and sent home.

There are probably other artifacts from rural school days but maybe not too many as supplies were very limited.