The month of May was a busy month with family times, beautiful garden strolls, and road trips. Needless to say I took a lot of pictures, but as I looked back through them one stood out above the others. It was taken at Springfield Botanical Gardens in a section which included the oldest cabin in Springfield, barns, a kitchen, a granary, and a one-room schoolhouse. The buildings weren't open the day I was there, but steps had been provided under the windows so you could peek inside. As I stood there with my face pressed to the window of the schoolhouse, memories flooded through me. First, memories of a scared little girl as she walked into a classroom on the first day of first grade and then memories of a smiling little girl as she met friends and fell in love with her teacher. The little girl was me and my first grade classroom looked much like this one. It was not a one-room schoolhouse nor did we have slates to write on. but my classroom did have desks, book shelves, and a world globe just like these. What really stirred my memories were the books scattered about. I remember some of these books like the one on the lower right desk, Someday Soon. I read that book. In fact, I have a copy of that book. Since I didn't go to kindergarten or day school, the first grade was where I learned to read. I still remember the excitement of learning to read simple words.
Run Spot.
Run, run, run.
Oh, oh, oh.
Funny, funny Spot.
In case you don't know, Spot was a dog belonging to Dick and Jane in a series of school readers. While there are many memories of my first grade, learning to read was the best!
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I'm linking today with Scene & Story hosted
Join us each month as we choose a photo and tell a story.
I love the photo of this little school room complete with books and the inevitable globe! How lovely that the book "Someday Soon" jogged your memory of when you were a little girl!
ReplyDeleteI loved Spot and Dick and Jane, that is what we started with in first grade too! Thank goodness we don't have to go back, but the memories can be stirring.
ReplyDeleteLove your view of this schoolroom, and yes it does bring back a lot of memories. Looks a lot like the desks that I had as a child , while I was learning to read about dick and jane, and spot and puff. I still remember some of the illustrations in those books!! LOL! As big of a change from today as the black phone to the IPHONE
ReplyDeleteWhat a great picture! Old schoolhouses are fascinating to me because they reflect the culture of the time. I was just at the Daniel Boone Home and saw the schoolhouse through the window. Your story brought me right back to that little building. :)
ReplyDeleteCathy, I love this scene and the story of your first day at school. I have no recollection of learning to read - it seems as if I always knew how. But I do remember my younger brothers and sister using the Dick and Jane books in school. (I thought they were silly and boring!) How amazing to see a book you recognized - Someday Soon - and that you have a copy! I've never heard of that one before. I've only seen classrooms like this in restorations or TV/movies, but it always makes me feel nostalgia for a simpler time.
ReplyDeleteI love how this photo conjures memories! I remember Dick and Jane well!
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, Dick, Jane, Sally, Spot, and Puff the cat :) I remember them fondly... I sound a lot like you, Cathy. Nervous to go to school each year, but I ended up loving it. Your photo conjures up those memories for me as well :)
ReplyDeletethis is a great photo and a wonderful story. i remember dick and jane...and these desk although i'm not sure we actually used them!!!
ReplyDeletei loved school, i was very outgoing growing up. i think i viewed school as a social activity more than a learning experience!!!