Pioneer Schools

Pioneer Schools (press audio question if you would like the text read to you) When settlers moved west, they built a school as soon as they could. The first schools were simple one-room buildings. Children of all ages were in the same class. The younger children sat in the front and the older children sat in the back. When the teacher wanted to listen to lessons, he or she would call the students up to his or her desk. The girls sat on one side. The boys sat on another side.The students learned reading, writing, spelling, and arithmetic. We call arithmetic math today. The students were expected to sit quietly and work all day, except at nooning hour. This was their break in the middle of the day. During this hour, the children would eat their lunch and play with the other children.The children walked to school. They would carry their slates and dinner pails with their lunches. The slate was like a small blackboard to write on. There was very little paper, so a lot of work was done on the slates. The children went to school only when they were not needed at home. Chores, such as plowing and planting, came first. A chore is a job you have to do. Children had chores at school too. They had to help clean the classroom. They also had to help collect firewood or cow and buffalo chips for the fireplace. Sort the facts into one of the categories: Pioneer Schools, Today's Schools, or Both Pioneer Schools and Today's Schools Pioneer Schools one room all grade levels in same room everyone walked to school write on slates for most lessons Today's Schools many rooms grade levels are separated in different rooms most students take buses or cars to school write on paper for most lessons Both Pioneer Schools and Today's Schools learn reading learn math learn writing children enjoy recess