My students loved being transported back in time to 1910, during the simpler days of learning the 3 R's. We had wonderful warm weather; however, during the winter, a warm stove with a hot fire would be amazing. While visiting Rosehill, we had lessons from our school marm, Ms. Deton on reading, writing and arithmetic.
Students loved writing with the quill pen and dipping it in the ink jars as they practiced their penmanship strokes.
Slates and chalk were important supplies in a student's day just as chromebooks and chargers are today! We read a wonderful story from the McGuffey readers about a widow and a merchant. Moral: it is always better to give than to receive. The radiance of sunlight poured through the windows, illuminating the schoolhouse with an almost magical glow, particularly enchanting as it danced over the children.
Through our exploration, we unearthed the solemn expressions captured in old photographs, attributing them to the gravity of education in bygone eras and the weariness of individuals who, burdened with chores, undertook a long journey to school. The toil of daily life was palpable.
The ritual of washing hands before lunch unfolded without the modern conveniences of running water, soap dispensers, or paper towels. Instead, students utilized a metal wash bowl filled with water and a humble bar of soap. While an outhouse stood on the premises, the fortune of indoor plumbing was not lost on us.
With tin lunch pails in hand, students eagerly spilled outside for a picnic-style lunch, the highlight being the exhilarating "Flying Jenny" on the playground – a metal merry-go-round that became the epicenter of joy. Laughter echoed as friends took turns pushing the spinning contraption to its limits.
At the ring of Ms. Deton's bell, we regrouped, ready to delve into Oklahoma history and engage in a spirited spelling bee. Words like "victuals" (referring to food) and "drawers" (signifying undergarments) posed challenges. A sense of pride swelled as Mary emerged victorious in the spelling bee, earning the privilege of ringing the school bell by tugging on its rope.
As the day drew to a close, we seized one more opportunity to bask in the sunshine and relish the joys of the Flying Jenny. Crossing back over the creek and across the bridge, a glance backward invoked gratitude for a glimpse into simpler times and instilled a profound appreciation for the enduring value of education, both then and now.