Yes, we graduated in the same year but I was probably still in elementary school while you were in junior high school, since elementary school went from kindergarten through the eighth grade.
Everyone is talking about nap time in kindergarten and I do recall us having to lay down on mats and the lights were off. Maybe I did go for a full day. It would make sense because my sister went the full day. Ugggh, I just don't recall. What a world I had as a child?
I don't recall hearing about 'nursery school' (now called preschool, I guess, although this was at an Anglican church, not a public school) until my brother was of the age to attend. He's 3 years younger than I, and he only lasted a few sessions. He was very spirited, liked to wander off and get into things, and I'm sure he wore them out. Years ago, I volunteered at a preschool program and loved it. The kids were very sweet. They didn't have a nap time, but they did have a snack time, and we did a lot of physical and also lower level academic type of activities with them. They were supposedly an underprivileged group, selected specifically to help them catch up to where their peers would be once they attended kindergarten, but no one in that area was really lacking in enrichment at home, so it was more of a socialization experience for them.
Yup, started K at 4 almost 5 yrs old. I don't think Kindergarten was optional, children were enrolled if they'd turn 5 before the next January 1st. My parents directed me to the school bus and off I went. Full day.
I did not attend Kindergarten because it was not offered in my school when I was of age, however, my sister who is 3 years younger did attend. I bet I would have really liked kindergarten. I am sorry I didn't get to go. I think that every kid should have the opportunity to go really. Going fro nothing or day care to school is a big transition.
No. I don't think that kindergarten was really very popular when I was that age. At least, I don't even remember hearing about any of my friends being in it. I think that it more became a thing in the 70's to 80's perhaps. But then, I could be wrong. Maybe it was just where I was that it was not popular. I do remember some church groups from when I was tiny, though. We used to have little kid clubs and classes during the service when the parents were upstairs. I recall bopping a little boy over the head with a plastic hammer because he wouldn't stop trying to steal whatever other toy it was that I was attempting to hammer into submission. I must have been very small, but I remember it clear as day.
Yup, it was mandatory. I think my mother got tired of me after about 4 years or so, so she pawned me off on an unsuspecting young lady who only knew how to play games, give us milk and cookies and tell us to take a dern nap. It is indeed a hard thing for a young fellow to suddenly discover that there are smaller versions of the bigger girls I was used to. It wasn't too long before I found out that they knew how to give orders just like the bigger ones plus they were well schooled on kicking the shins of any boy, particularly me, who came close to them. I say "particularly me" because it took more than one lesson to convince me that girls didn't mean it but we're just acting cute. It finally sunk in and found that girls did like to hurt boys and they were no longer cute. Kinda like my 1st grade crush who stabbed me in the leg with her pencil while I was trying to give her a Valentine's Day card. Love is wonderful at that age but not cute and very painful. The nap thing though has always been a memorable thing for we were told that if we did not take a nap that we would catch Polio. Everyone during those years had seen someone with leg braces so all of us pretty much stayed quiet and tried to sleep. I generally didn't nap because my brain was always doing something but whatever it was about laying on a mat, it must have worked cause I didn't get Polio.
Waterville, Ohio (1947) we didn't have kindergarten. When we reached 5 & 6 depending on birthday, we went into 1st. grade. We had 1st. grade through 12th. grade under the same roof. It wasn't until 3rd. grade the new high school was built. We were a consolidation made up of 4 other small towns. So it was Anthony Wayne HS. At the elementary level it was by then 1st to 8th. grades, at our same old school. I loved it the brick building just covered with ivy. This time of year I like playing one of my favorite songs, "The Halls of Ivy," by the Lettermen.
I love these old classroom photos - Some of my classmates have been posting a few from time to time. It's interesting to see how far I've come since grade school. Although, I didn't have the opportunity to attend Kindergarten, I certainly wish I would have... Cheers!!!!
Unfortunately, no kindergarten was offered in my area before starting first grade a year late due to my birthday being in January. However, I overcome the issue by going to Summer School for fun in Middle School, then graduating early in High School after working in the office and library for extra credits. It seems I only went 9 years from elementary through high school and still graduated early w/honors. Sweet!!!
Kindergarten mornings, 1/2 day. Rest period on carpet or mats supplied by parents. I was 5 in July, so started in Sept. After getting over the fear of being alone away from home, it was fun! My teacher, Miss Moffet, was a very short, stooped-over lady of maybe 30, who had a hump on her back. Her deformity did not seem to affect most of us in any way, even though she was "different" from our expected experience. My report cards throughout grade school reprimanded me for using "outside voice" indoors. Maybe I was already deaf? Frank
Those teachers we had in our primary years were so dedicated. When we had recess after lunch they were the ones that supervised our class on the playground. They were out there setting up a Fox & Geese game, with other games. I'll never forget my 2nd. grade teacher, at the end of the school year which was May 18th. (my dad's birthday). She gave each of us a small potted live plant. We were left speechless, it was one of the most beautiful gestures a teacher could do for us. Our school and the other schools in the area were let out early, because of planting and fertilizing "Euuuuu" season it was a farming community.