America once educated its young inside ‘little red school-houses’, at least in some parts of the country.

And, usually, ‘school-marms’ were the ones who taught different aged students inside those walls. Many who were educated that way went on to make significant contributions to society, to add to the growth of their nation and some made the ultimate sacrifice in order to preserve our way of life.

Perhaps the ‘least common denominator’ was that they used SLATES and chalk while progressing thru their studies?

One well known ‘Great’ was Ben Franklin and he made his own pencil after hearing about them…so he probably stopped using his slate…but the rest continued to do so.

Although I DID NOT use slate and chalk, my desk had a hole near the top edge for an inkwell(!). And, no, I was not given a quill to dip in ink as I learned the CURSIVE alphabet…we had fountainpens and wood & graphite pencils and even real ruled paper.

After learning how to print the alphabet, we progressed and were taught penmanship. We even rode cars and busses to school and the roads were paved.

Your vocabulary grew from studying spelling lists after you progressed past Dick and Jane Books, including Spot the dog and Puff the cat.

There was no Pre-Pre-Pre K School, no Pre-Pre K School and just a few Pre K’s for working mothers or a Nursery School for some.

When you entered KINDERGARTEN you were in a Big Red Schoolhouse, usually a brick two-story one that went from K to 6th…the upper grades located on the second level. Here you were ‘socialized’ to get along with the others, you sang in a group, played games (and Ring-around-the Rosie) and learned your A B C’s.

We took naps and if you acted-up, you sat in the corner. We were respectful of others and generally well behaved.

Then, with a little fan-fare, you got promoted to the 1st grade and started to keep getting educated.

But, in reality, KINDERGARTEN provided a valuable part of our education that most of us remember fondly. We DID NOT enter it with computer skills already under our belts (or suspenders)…that could wait while we enjoyed our childhoods and got along just fine.

Some of us went on to even higher learning institutions and some sought careers after High School.

‘Progress” has eliminated the progression I just spoke of…and a ‘better'(?) world has resulted…I guess.

BUT, I think learning how to line-up to go to the cafeteria and trading your homemade lunch and playing games and napping had a profound effect on who I became.

I did not own a smartphone, a tablet or a computer then and did not deal with DEI, Gender issues, new math or advanced calculus.

I did, however, learn to roller-skate, respect and treat a mate, try to become great and wonder just where did I put my SLATE?

Richard Phillips

New Iberia