Every year, third graders in Groton, Massachusetts take a field trip to the old one-room schoolhouse, the Sawtelle School. It’s living history, and that’s just how children should learn history.
I get to be their teacher. Lucky me.
Groton is an old New England town, settled in 1655. The schoolhouse dates from the late 1700’s and was in continuous use as a one-room schoolhouse until 1916. It served as a school for nearly 125 years and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
In 1833 it was converted from wood to brick. That’s the year in which I am the schoolmarm, and where this story begins…
I ring the big brass bell to call the scholars to school. In 1833, children who attended school were ‘scholars’, not students. “Welcome, scholars! This is the old schoolhouse in Groton.”
Before I had a chance to say any more, a few children recognized me and ‘broke the line’ to run forward and give me a hug.
“Let’s look at the outside before we go inside.”
I showed children the well (yes the real well is still there), the only source of water at school. I asked plenty of questions to get them thinking:
How do you get the water out of the well?
How do you drink the water?
What else was water used for?
Next I said, “There were no toilets. Do you want to see where you had to pee and poo?”
Of course they did! Taking children to the outhouses was fun. I told them with great animation what it was like in an outhouse:
There is a thick, long board with a hole in the middle. You sit on the hole and do your business. No toilet paper.
Silence and wide eyes.
School was summer and winter, because spring and fall were farm work months. You’d be working all day. So, imagine winter here by the outhouse. It took you ‘forever’ just to walk out here.
The outhouse was a great bonding experience. They knew I wasn’t a stuffy, boring old lady. They knew I liked them. They knew I was excited about being their teacher.
I took the children inside the school. The desks (not original) were lined up and children rushed to get a desk. I watched them. They rubbed their hands over the surface, moved about, and thought. Yes, they thought. I knew they were soaking it all in, the way children do.
When you look around, you see there are no electrical lights and no heaters. Light came from this oil lamp I am holding. Heat came from this wood burning stove. Imagine fetching wood from outside in the winter to heat the schoolhouse, so your fingers wouldn’t be stiff from cold, and you could write on your slate. Paper was expensive and scarce, so you wouldn’t have that in school.
I let those thoughts sink in, then I showed children artifacts from the school- a quill pen and inkwell, a water dipper, a dinner pail (dinner was eaten at our lunchtime, and supper was eaten at our dinnertime.) We talked about farming, hard work, and how it was a privilege to go to school.
On the wall at the old schoolhouse is a life-size photo of Eva Belle Torrey, who was a scholar at the school. Alongside are excerpts from her diary. I called the children’s attention to Eva. Her decedents keep in touch and support the Sawtelle School Association.
I read aloud Eva’s three diary entries. Each started with the weather and how many scholars were at school. When she was 11, her friend died. When she was 12, she was going to study Physiology, Physical Geography and Botany this term in the place of History, Common Geography, and Language.
You could have heard a pin drop.
It was time to start school.
We stood to say the Pledge of Allegiance.
Did children know the pledge? Did they recite it daily? I wasn’t sure, but then…
Then we were ready to sing the National Anthem…but there was no National Anthem in 1833. Back then, children sang “My Country ‘Tis of Thee.” I told the children how I called my mother in disbelief when I learned America didn’t have a National Anthem until 1931. I held a pretend phone to my ear and said to children:
Mother, please tell me it isn’t true. Please tell me we had a National Anthem when you were a little girl.
No, Jennie. It’s true.
What did you sing?
“My Country ‘Tis of Thee.”
And so it was. These children stood up, and to my great surprise they belted out the song. It made me proud.
I told children the strict rules in school in 1833. I told them about the forms of discipline with great fanfare:
- Paddling. Oh, there was a paddle from the schoolhouse. My Jennie Story of teacher paddling at my elementary school was a shock.
- Bending over to touch a spot on the floor, and staying there for a long time. I called upon a teacher in the group of third graders to be the ‘victim’, and of course the children loved it.
- Wearing a Dunce Cap. I called upon a scholar to come sit on the tall stool in the corner and wear the Dunce Cap. Very popular!
- Wedging a block of wood in the mouth for whispering.
- Pegging girl’s braids onto hooks. Everyone was pretty shocked at this one. Girls who had long hair and braids instinctively covered their heads.
- Boys wearing a pink bonnet for teasing. Everyone thought this was funny.
Children copied a poem, “Good, better, best” onto their slates. That was not easy to do. When everyone finished, we recited the poem aloud, together. Poetry, reciting, reading, and reading aloud were all key elements in what children did at school. Isn’t that wonderful? Next, every child had a reader, the book that was used in 1833. Children took turns standing in front of the class and reading aloud the story. Oh, it was a great story about a boy who found a bear cub and brought it to school.
Next came Arithmetic. A few of the third graders knew that Arithmetic is math. I wrote problems on the chalkboard and children wrote answers on their slates. They could do addition and subtraction in the thousands. Mental Arithmetic was next, and it’s always tougher. I told a story of a boy who had to collect firewood for the schoolhouse, how many pieces he collected, dropped, and so on. Children wrote the answers on their slates.
Last on the agenda was singing a song from that era. I taught children “She’ll Be Comin’ Round the Mountain.” Oh my goodness, they loved it!
Finally, children asked questions:
What happened if you got sick?
If you got hurt, how would you get to a doctor?
How would they get in touch with your mom or dad?
A few days after being the schoolmarm, I received two thank you notes from children who were there as ‘scholars’. What a wonderful surprise.
Teaching history is important. Children need to know about the past in order to become good citizens in the future.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
I totally agree Jennie, and even the unpalatable history should be taught in order for mistakes not to be repeated.
Well said!
That’s so cool Jennie! How often do you get to do that?
Thanks, FR. Once a year. It’s the big third grade field trip. I did this three times in two days to accommodate all the third graders. It was wonderful!
It looks like everyone had a blast!
They did!
You’re doing a grand job, Jennie! At 91, I can recall writing my name – first in sand on a tray and then on a slate, and eventually in a lined exercise book, aged five. I loved reading about Brer Rabbit…(in Dagenham, Essex Infant school in the UK 1937) Then the second World War started in 1939 and I was whisked off with my two brothers to be evacuated to Wales. My story was told in ‘My Gentle War’ – a memoir with excerpts from my father’s war diary. All the very best to you.
You always have so many wonderful and interesting things to say, Joy! Many thanks. At 91, you are amazing and very inspiring to this ‘young’ 73 year old. I just learned that Beatrice Potter got her inspiration for Peter Rabbit from her childhood memories of reading Brer Rabbit. I hadn’t realized that Brer Rabbit came before Peter Rabbit. My very best to you!
brilliant! and so fun that you get to be the schoolmarm and they, the scholars. this was a tremendous lesson and experience for so many reasons, and one they will not soon forget. I love how some broke the line to give you a hug )
Thank you, Beth. An hour is a looong time for a lesson, yet they loved it! I think they will remember. Breaking the line was the best!
❤️
This is wonderful! Cheers to you for bringing history alive. Is this something you get to do every year?
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Frank. Yes, bringing history alive is so important! This is the big once a year field trip for third graders. This was my first time to be the schoolmarm, and they loved me! I’m now ‘the one.’ Lucky me!
I hope you get invited again.
I have been, every forthcoming year for as long as I can do it. 🙂
What a quaint old school and the children are learning so much! Pegging braids on hooks??!! Yikes! I’m impressed with the children and their singing and awww, you look great in your costume! Just the part! 😀
A perfect role for you. Living history is just the best. I love your final line as I so agree with it – “Children need to know about the past in order to become good citizens in the future.” A wonderful day for all.
It really was a perfect role for me. The children were thrilled and engaged, and that’s what matters most. Thank you, Darlene. That last line was a favorite to write. 🥰
What a truly WONDERFUL blog post about a significant annual field trip in your town! You continue to be a very inspiring presence here on planet earth for so many of us!!!
Awww…thank you so much, Will!!
Well this is amazing,Jennie!
Thank you, Ritu!! 🥰
Amen to that, Jennie. On a side note: I attended one of the last one-room school houses in our area. By then it had two additions – a kindergarten class and primary room, but from grade 3 up, we were all together. It closed in 1970
Wow! What a story, and to think it was still that way until 1970. Thank you, VJ.
Welcome
What a wonderful experience for the children, and, I suspect, for you.
Yes, and yes. Very much so. Thank you, Dan.
What an incredible day! You are right, our history is important to remember because it guides us to the future.
Yes on both counts. Thank you, Pam.
That’s a wonderful ‘retro’ experience for the kids, and you are a natural for the job!
We also have a Victorian School experience at the local Gressenhall Museum in Beetley. The kids get to dress up too. 🙂
https://www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk/gressenhall-farm-and-workhouse/learning/key-stage-2
Best wishes, Pete.
Thank you so much, Pete. You are ever kind. The link is wonderful! Have you been there? It seems like a great experience and history lesson for children.
Yes, we have been there. It is just at the end of the street we live on, across the main road. Julie and I sat in the classroom being treated like naughty schoolchildren. 🙂
More recently, we took our grandchildren to the Farm part of the museum on an ‘Open Day’. They saw the farm animals, and had a tractor ride.
That must have been fun for you and Julie, and I’m sure the grandkids loved it. Best to you, Pete.
This event sounds like it would be right up your alley, Jennie. I’ll bet you got right into character. It must have been fun for the kids who already knew you to have you as their teacher again. I’m sure you had the ones who didn’t know you, eating out of the palm of your hand by the end. I smiled at how we bond with our students over things we can all relate to (pee and poo 🤣)
When I visited my Minnesota brother (the other teacher in the family), he took me by the Forest City Stockade located in their town. Like you, he volunteers now for school groups when they come in to visit and teaches them about some aspects of that life. https://www.forestcitystockade.org/
You are right on all counts, Pete. I loved it, and the children did, too. I was given the history of the school, it was up to me to do the lesson planning and teaching- for an hour. Gulp! I knew the outhouses would be a great way to break the ice. I’m glad I included singing, telling stories, and reading from the 1833 reader. Oh, I forgot to add in the post that I read one of Grimm’s fairy tales, “Little Red Cap”, the original “Little Riding Hood”. I told children I would have loved to read aloud “Cinderella”, but it was too long…and had too much blood. Well….they begged (of course) and while I couldn’t read them the story, I could tell them the bloody parts. They loved it!
Thank you for the link to the Forest City Stockade. How wonderful that your brother volunteers there for school groups. I bet he loves it!
What a great experience for the kids.
Thank you, Alethea. It really was.
Yesss! What a variety of ages in the schoolhouse – both during your presentation and historically. I had to laugh but then ponder: I’m familiar with outhouses because of hiking/camping even very old reststops on I25…so that being a ‘new’ thing for your ‘scholars’ is a bit of a curiosity!
BTW: next time, bring your zither – very historically appropriate, too!
Thank you, Laura. I was also surprised that no one knew about an outhouse. I was a camper throughout childhood, and that was how we did our business. Actually, because no one knew, I could be more animated. The big question was, “What if you fell down the hole?”
Bringing an historically appropriate instrument is a GREAT idea. I don’t have a zither. I will look that up. Doing the slap/clap as we sang really worked.
An autoharp is very similar to a zither…so you’re ahead of the game!
Thanks!!
What a wonderful experience!! I felt like I was there too. Thanks for sharing this lovely day with us too! 😍
I’m so glad you felt as though you were there, Deborah. That makes my day! 😀
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What a wonderful event for kids and parents. There’s a lot to be said for the value of a one-room school.
Thank you, Jacqui. Yes, there is much to be valued in a one-room school. It was a wonderful event. 🙂
time travelling must be a lot fun for you Jennie!
It is, Wayne. I get to time travel when I chapter read in my classroom, and when we learn about other countries, but nothing beats the real deal of living history.
Thanks for the videos and coverage of the school event. I’ll bet those kids were happy they had that experience.
I think they were happy. They were very engaged, as you saw in the videos. It was wonderful. Thank you, John. 🙂
They did look engaged for sure. They also looked happy.
Yes!
This is fantastic. Being visually involved and “seeing” history, makes all the difference. Wonderful activities too, Jennie! Thanks for sharing Nice that some Thank You notes were sent. ❤
Thanks so much, Monica. I’m glad you enjoyed this. Yes, being a part of living history makes all the difference in the world. And those thank you notes…precious!
This was fun to read and see. I’m not a kid but I learned a few things… especially about school discipline. Bringing history alive is wonderful.
I learned a few things, too! I’m so glad it was fun to read and see. The discipline was definitely popular! I will always be a champion of bringing history alive. Best to you, Ally.
You are an awesome teacher Jennie
That is so nice, Cindy. Thank you! 🥰
This is wonderful Jennie and I can see a great time was had by all. It does the children a lot of good to learn how hard things were in those days and why the children appreciated it was privilege to go to school back then.
I loved listening to the videos and really enjoyed listening to the children. I was amazed to hear that the tune to “My Country ‘Tis of Thee.” was the same as our national anthem…. I was very surprised by that!
https://youtu.be/9dothzT0uSI a jazzed up version but the same.
I remember you saying before about ring your mum about the US. Anthem not existing until 1931….again that was a surprise.
We have have school trips for children here to visit Victorian schools, both children and teachers get to dress up for the duration of the visits . Such a good way to teach history.
Well done Jennie 💜💜💜
I love your many thoughts here, Willow. And, you are so right. Yes, our “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” is exactly the same tune as “God Save the Queen/King.” I smiled reading that you were surprised. I still think it’s terrible that America never had a National Anthem until 1931. Shame on us. I’m glad to know of your school visits to Victorian schools- including everyone dressing up. This really is a good way to teach history. Many thanks, Willow! 😍
It’s a wonderful way and your photos are lovely 💜💜
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And I so thank you also Jennie for sharing all of this with us… Hands on teaching at its best.. Wonderful to hear them singing too Jennie…
I wish there were a thousand more teachers just like you… 🙂
Hugs and Gratitude for all you do as you leave loving and lasting memories in these children’s hearts..
💖🙏✨
Thank you for your kind words, Sue. I feel the same way you do- hands on teaching is THE best. I didn’t know if the children would sing, but they belted it out. That filled my heart!! Your hugs and gratitude are deeply appreciated. I dearly wish other teachers could/would teach from the heart. It makes all the difference for children.
It certainly does Jennie… I thank Goodness I had one such English teacher from age 11 till I left school age 15… She taught me her love of Books and helped nurture me as I was slow at reading when I went to her school.. Her passion was hands on teaching and she made a huge difference in my young life back then.. I was able then to escape in a world of books..
You dear Jennie are helping children much more than you know.. One day lets hope others also learn to teach hands on.. and inspire others as you are doing..
Sending Love your way Jennie xx ❤
You were a lucky child. I dearly wish all children could have your experience with teachers. Thank you so much for your kind words, Sue. Cheers to hands-on teaching! 😍
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What an incredible experience! Those punishments sound gruesome!!
Of course hearing and demonstrating some of the punishments was very popular. 🙂 I think these are the experiences children need to have in order to learn. Hands-on and the ‘real deal’ is the way teaching should be.
Today there is a new report out on math and reading scores in America for 5th graders. Not good. The press blames it on Covid and not being in a classroom, but I think the problem is far deeper. Sigh.
Jennie, I can’t put into words what this means to me. You are the epitome of excellence in education! I often think I’m living in the wrong era~I love history so much I dream of it, put myself there! Look at how you immersed the students in REAL time living history! I giggled, read in wonder, fascination, and the videos touched my heart ❤️. I saved this, as I have many others, in my notes! God bless you, Jennie! You’re a gift in history and I know years from now students will speak of the legacy you left~💛❤️💚 have you made a time capsule? Much adoration and blessings! 🙏🏻❤️
You are so kind, Karla! Your words are most endearing. Thank you!!! I feel like the lucky one to have these teaching experiences with children. 😍
You’re welcome ☺️! Aww, you are so blessed by them as they are you! What a win win! 💛☺️💕
Karla, you are a gift. Do you know that? You’re a rainbow fairy. Seriously. Rainbows are a powerful gift and a message. Fairies carry out giving the messages. That’s you! May I call you RF for short? ❤️
Aww, Jennie. That is the sweetest comment ever! I feel honored and blessed to have this name from you! My heart melted! I’m going to be thinking of one for you (I had to have a blood transfusion yesterday and am better and recovering today~my brain will come back soon. Much hugs and love for a blessed weekend! 💛
Best to you, Karla. I’m so glad Rainbow Fairy resonated with you and gave your heart joy.❤️
Thank you, Jennie 🥰❤️💚 after several days of blood transfusions, more injections, a pain crisis day (family came to rescue!) I gladly accept RF! I have joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart! 💛❤️ 🎶
I am SOOOOO glad! ❤️
No Pledge of Allegiance then, either. It was (probably) composed and (certainly) popularized for use in schools in 1892, and didn’t take its current form until 1954. The salute used originally was different, too.
I suspect my father just barely missed being taught in a one-room schoolhouse in Groton, as he was in the first grade when Tarbell School opened in 1914. Without knowing the details, I’ve heard there was some controversy about the needs of an elementary school, which is why Tarbell and Boutwell were both built. Although it could simply have been an issue of transportation.
Thank you, Brian! I imagine it was recited at the old schoolhouse, albeit not in the same form. My goodness, you dad just missed the schoolhouse. When we first moved to Groton, we became good friends with our neighbors, Helen and Gerry Gingras. Gerry talked about going to Boutwell when he was a child. Oh, I vividly remember when Tarbell was closed. That was sad. Thank you for reading and commenting. I hope you enjoyed being back at the old one-room schoolhouse.
Aye, probably the Pledge was recited there in the later years. It’s a wonder any of those old schoolhouses survived. And I’ve very happy to see you putting it to an educational and entertaining use.
I was in elementary school (Roche) when they had to build two portable classrooms (the nearest we had to one-room schoolhouses) to handle us baby boomers. One morning, after foundation holes had been dug but no cement poured, a skunk was found in one of the pits. A classmate of mine, who shall remain nameless, jumped in to rescue the skunk, having been misinformed that if you grab one by the tail, it can’t spray you. Kudos to him for animal kindness, points off for foolhardiness! He learned the wonders of the tomato juice bath.
I remember when those portable classrooms were built. What a great story, and thank goodness for tomato juice! Many thanks, Brian.
My experience of the American education system in 1979/80 was not great. I taught High School and my eldest son was in first grade. Neither brilliant education-wise though the kids were great.
That is sad, Opher. America does not rank high in education. I’m sure you’re not surprised. We’re 26th in reading. Hire passionate teachers and let them have the reins, screw testing, mandate reading aloud, learn outside in the woods, and respect (and love) every child. Then maybe we could really teach children. Secretly, I want to be a teacher in Finland. Best to you, Opher.
Such fond memories of my kids though. I often think about them. Those seventeen/eighteen-year-olds will be fifty now! Hard to believe!
I bet they have fond memories, too. Yes, fifty is hard to believe!
Hi Jennie, what a lovely school outing. I remember going to an old farm from the 1700s as a school outing. I never forgot it, especially the old kitchen. I agree completely with your last words.
I’m so glad you enjoyed this, Robbie. Living history sticks with you, as you remember from your old farm visit. Those last words were my favorite, too.
🤗🌻
We are long time visitors to Old Sturbridge. When the kids were younger they got to experience a teacher in the one room school. It made quite an impression. I am glad you get to do this.
I love how Sturbridge Village has live historical people. It’s a wonderful place, and I’m not surprised your kids still remember that experience. One of the things that makes my schoolmarm event special is that the old schoolhouse is in Groton, and it’s only for the third graders in Groton. That adds to ‘real’ living history. Yes, I’m very glad I get to do this!
I missed the local connection. That is wonderful.
🙂
What a great day, Jennie. It is important for children to learn about the past. I always enjoyed visiting the ‘olden days’ classrooms.
It was a great day, Norah. Living history ‘sticks’ with children. Like you, I feel it is important.
It’s what we say about experiences being the best teacher, isn’t it.
Yes, it is!
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When I was a child, we visited Greenfield Village in Michigan and of course they had an old schoolhouse, but it wasn’t nearly as much fun, nor as educational as this. I loved that you were the School Marm and they lived a day at school in the 1800s. How special.
Carla, it was very special, indeed. I’m glad the children had a great experience in an historical place. They had fun! At least you got to visit a schoolhouse, most children don’t have that opportunity.
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Thank you, Frank.