Storytelling Sunday and time for us to tell our tale if you want to join in or see other people's stories visit Sian's place
It is September 1945, I am not quite 5 but this is the start of the new school year and so my mother takes me along to this big building. We all wait in line to register and start the new phase in our lives. The mother of the little boy in front of me asks my Mum what my name is and how old I am , as I am so very very tiny she can't believe I am old enough to start. Mum says I'll be five in December, "Oh she won't be able to start then". I am worried I want to go to school I do, I do.
Then the teacher comes along and invites us into the class room. There are strange little tables with bench seats attached with lids that rise up so that we can hide things inside, they are for two people to sit at and I'm directed to one and told that this is my desk.
We are given a slate and some white chalk and told to copy what the teacher has put on the big black wall. I quite like this, but find it hard. Teacher come round and sees all our efforts. When she comes to me she notices I have the chalk in my left hand. She tells me to put it in my other hand. I don't feel comfortable with that at all and want my mummy. It is soon time to go home for dinner (mid day meals were always dinner time).
In the afternoon it was back to that big building and time to use coloured chalks on our slates we could draw what we liked, but again teacher wasn't happy with me using my left hand.
Outside for a run around in the playground then the bell rang and we came back to our desks. Teacher told us to fold our arms and lay our head on them and have a rest. What! I thought, I hadn't had an afternoon sleep for ages and ages, only babies sleep in the afternoon.
I'm not sure I like school.
17 comments:
Which hand do you write with now? My grandfather was a natural lefty who was 'encouraged' to use his right hand!
I still write with my left hand, sew with my left, knit properly use scissors in my right, knife in my left a proper mixed up person hand wise.
I'm so glad left handedness is now accepted in schools....a friend of mine had her hand slapped with a ruler everytime she used her left hand!!
Thank you for sharing your first day at school, totally different from mine because I hated it and ran home! My dad was a leftie but, like you, was a bit mixed :)
You've brought back memories of one of my Aunts. I remember her telling me how she was forced to use her right hand in school and like you was a bit of a mix of both.
I'm delighted to see you back this month again Mary - and I'm smiling at how your wonderfully told story sits alongside my own school story today. Isn't that nice? The way you have used the present tense is so very effective - and that last line makes me hope maybe there will be a second installment...
You asked about my hook tree - it is a decal set I bought from Ikea about 3 years ago now
Lovely story, makes me remember back too.
What a wonderful memory of your first day Mary. I too was 'encouraged' out of my left handedness and that was in 1973!
Fiona x
Great story Mary - my Mum had her left hand tied behind her back at school :o and now writes right handed!
I had to laugh at the idea of the teachers having half an hour off while the children had a forced, and rather uncomfortable, snooze at their desks!
Hello Mary ~ What a cute story you have shared here. :o) I'm curious - did your teacher ever let you use your left hand or did this cause you to be right-handed for the rest of your life?
my mum and fil are both lefties and they had problems at school as well! So glad it is different now! Great insight into school days then thanks for sharing
This is a great story an has brought back some memories for me! Thanks Mary x
What a wonderful story Mary, thanks for sharing it. My Mum was left handed when she started school and was made to write with her right - she still struggles with some things even now! Thanks for your comment on my blog :)
Haven't times changed! Lovely story
Alison xx
I love how you write - the little snippets end up telling a very big story. I, too, hope for more of the story. Thanks for sharing,
Rinda
Wonderful story Mary! Look forward to hearing many more!
Fascinating story Mary, thanks so much for sharing it with us :-) Will there be another instalment? I do hope so! xx
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