Loading ...When I was in public school , the teachers moved around the classroom with a strap tucked under their arm . A strap was made of layers of rubber and canvas , about two inches wide, 18 inches long and a quarter of an inch thick . They were authorized to use it , but did not have to – just knowing they could , deterred the potential trouble-makers . Respect for authority was instilled at home . My father spanked me once , I deserved it , and never gave him cause again .
In the classroom , we had to learn to do arithmetic mentally for addition and subtraction , had to memorize multiplication tables from 1X1 to 12X12 , learned block alphabet and cursive penmanship , graduating from pencil to pen and ink by the fouth grade. We had spelling tests weekly from lists of words that we also had to know the definition of. That continued until entering high school after completing the eighth grade . There was ‘assembly’ each morning with a short Bible scripture read to us , followed by singing the national anthem and God save the king (Canada).In Ontario , if you planned to go to college there were five years of high school , the tech and Commercial (office skills) students stopped after the 12th grade . Math classes included Euclidean Geometry , Algebra , and Trigonometry , as well as prep for Calculus . History , Geography , Chemistry and Physics were mandatory . English , French and a choice of Latin or German were also mandatory . We were also taught to play a musical instrument for two years and had already learned how to read a musical score .
I will never forget going to McD’s a few years ago and my food came to $3.87 . I gave the girl at the register $5.12 , and she tried to hand back the coins . I said no , ring up $5.12 , not just $5 . She did and her eyes got big as she handed me a dollar and a quarter change . Then she said ” How did you DO that ? ” !!!
All I could say was that I had learned to do simple arithmetic as a child before the third grade . She was amazed .
I am probably the oldest follower at the site
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