akr inspired | 716 | Ss

school memories 

Grade 1

In grade 1, I remember meeting Wendy on the steps for the first time. I remember smiling at each other.

I remember our chairs were all gathered up around the front board with the teacher. I was talking to Wendy when I noticed that she was quiet and the room was quiet. Miss Gillcash had stopped teaching and was looking at me. Awkward moment!

I remember getting on the bus to go to Aunt Carole's house. I wrote about that story in another post.

Grade 2

In grade 2, I remember we loved to play animals on rainy days. But one time, I caught Wendy's arm by accident and she bumped her chin on the floor. It left a small scar.

I remember writing a story about my dad being an astronaut. I still have it!

I remember Mrs. Briggs playing songs on a little record player. I can still hear, "Bonjour Mon Ami, How are you, my friend?"

Grade 3

Our teacher, Miss Mitton, had been to Brazil and we learned a lot about her trip.

I was asked to sing "Mary's Boy Child" in the Christmas concert.

We loved playing games like Red Rover, Red Light Green Light, and Mother May I!

Grade 4

I remember the way Mrs. Mercer read aloud to us. She changed her voice for the characters and it was magical.

When she wanted us to be quiet, we had to put our heads on our desk and put a peace sign in the air. 

We practiced "Jolly Old Saint Nicholas" so much that I never wanted to sing it again after the concert.

We were in the portables.

The playground had swings that we would ride double on with one person standing and one person sitting, and a climbing structure that was in the shape of a rocket. We must have had a slide, but I can't remember.

Grade 5

There was a wooden maze with a marble that I remember us playing with when we couldn't go outside for recess.

Some girls and boys were already noticing each other, but Wendy and I preferred to talk about animals. We were talking to Darren Groundwater about a pony, when Mrs. Lutes called us "boy crazy" and to get in line. I remember feeling hurt and offended.

Mrs. Rogers taught music to us, and she asked me if I was allowed to square dance.

I remember the long line to get a drink of water or to go to the washroom.

Grade 6

We were in the portables again. I can still hear the plywood banging under our feet as we walked, and how cold it was through the temporary hallways. A benefit was being so close to the playground.

Miss Bourque said my hamster could be the class pet and she adopted him. He would get out of his cage and chew the notes stored in desks with storage under the seat.

I remember a student coming back from the principal's office after being given the strap on his hand. What a terrible thing they did back then!

In gym class, Mr. White would often tell us to find a partner. He probably didn't know, but friends asking each other to be a gym partner could be a very stressful thing way before gym class.

We loved playing dodge ball in gym class!

We went on a field trip to the Moncton Coliseum. We watched Wayne Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers practice!

Mr. Horsman was a new teacher and he was in for our Social Studies teacher. I still have my notebooks and remember my drawing of the fishing vessel he had drawn on the chalk board. (Years later, when I taught at Magnetic Hill for a year, I had the honor of teaching with Mr. Horsman who was the resource teacher. Retiring at the end of that year, I was there for his first and last.)

Field Days, with three-legged races and more, were so much fun! 

Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life