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Archiver > VERMONT > 1999-05 > 0925870707


From: "Jackie M. Botala" <>
Subject: [VERMONT-L] more old papers...
Date: Tue, 4 May 1999 19:18:27 -0700


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Georgia School

In 1855 in Georgia, not much was required of the teacher
and far less of the scholars. Most farmers expexted their
children to finish their educationinthe same place it began- the
district school- and were satisfied if they aquired a moderate
knowledge of the three "R's".
If a teacher was prepared to teach these subjects, and
perhaps something of analysis and parsing, it was sufficient.
The school room was not much more than 20 feet square
with the teacher's desk on a platform in one corner. Another
corner was filled with pegs for wraps and hats. Between the
two sstod the big box stove, the one small blackboard behind
it. The rest of the room was occupied with rough benches
and desks, much whittled and scratched with names and
initials.
Crowded into these seats were about 40 girls and boys
of all ages from five to 21, the long back seat being filled with
the big girls and boys, many of the latter being "men grown".
Some were head and shoulders taller than the teacher who
was expected to keep order in this mixed company and to
"make 'em larn."
Many of the older scholars realized how little they knew
beyond their own home life and duties, and understood how
narrow and limited their lives must be without further education,
which to them was an impossibility. Such scholars were deeply
grateful for the teacher's interest, for her hle0p after school
hours so that they might lean all that was possible in the little
time they had, and for the loan of books which opened to them
an almost unknown world.

(contributed by Josie Frazier)

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