This is pretty cool. Contractors removing blackboards from an Oklahoma school found another set of blackboards under them. The blackboards still have markings from 1917 that weren’t erased before being covered.
That’s awesome! I wonder if the new (old) blackboards had gone up around Thanksgiving, since there’s the one turkey in there. I’d love to see those firsthand.
Those are awesome. I hope they can find a way to preserve them.
I once helped clean out an old HS science lab room and we found all kinds of stuff like mercury sitting out in the open and believe it or not, a dead human fetus in a glass jar.
I wonder what’s up with the Stars of David at the top of the board, above the multiplication wheel? Wondering if it was related to the time of year (Chanukah) or the year itself (1917, Israel formed) or if some kids just liked drawing stars that way with colored chalk.
These are very cool to see. My daughter has been having issues with multiplication, I may pepper her with some wheels over the summer to see if it helps.
Also, on the penmanship, very good point. You don’t see that stressed much in modern curriculum, likely since computers are so much more likely, but having the ability to communicate through handwritten notes and forms is still important. I once was told “I think this is the neatest application we have ever received” from a potential employer (I got the job).
One other thing I noticed, when practicing penmanship, they seem to have used positive life lessons like “I need to wash my clothes” instead of over-analyzed nonsense like “The cat and big dog need a fast zebra and a ghastly quail.” simply because it uses all the letters.
Interesting. Chalk on blackboard appears to be more archival than 5.5" floppies, 3.5" floppies, tape or Zip drives. Hang on, I’m going to head over to the art supply store and pick up some chalk so I can back up my hard drive.