Schools

Westwood Historical Society Presents: A Typical 1800s School Day

This May marks the 13th year that the Westwood Historical Society will provide all of Westwood's third graders with the unique opportunity to step back in time and spend a day doing the things that schoolchildren did in 1868.

This very special program was designed by Joan Swann and Elaine Nye workingwith the district's curriculum coordinator. It is staffed by retired teacher volunteers and coordinated by Irene Buonopane.

In this April 10 lecture, Irene will describe the program, which is one of the most unique in the state. The program recreates a typical day in the life of a student in the year 1868. The school day begins at 9 a.m. at the Fisher School and lasts until 1:30 p.m.

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A hand bell signals the beginning of the school day, which includes authentic lessons on oral reading, memorization, recitation, figuring on slates, mentalarithmetic, penmanship using ink and quill pens, a spelling bee, and a history lesson that teaches the students about the history and restoration of the schoolhouse and challenges them to think about and compare classrooms past and present.

To provide a permanent record of their day, students are asked to bring their own copy book to use for lessons during the day. During recess, the children play games that were popular during the mid-19th century, including jump rope, marbles, bean bag toss and hoop rolling.

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At the end of the day, eachscholar receives a personalized certificate that marks the successful completion of the 1800s school day - a unique and memorable experience that would be envied even by Laura Ingalls Wilder! 

Irene Buonopane is a former elementary school teacher and art teacher. She received a B.S. in Ed. from Lesley College and an M. Ed. in Psych. from Boston University. She has been a tutor and substitute art teacher in the Westwood School System. Irene moved to Westwood in 1967 and joined the Westwood Historical Society shortly thereafter. She is pleased to be a participant in the Fisher School program as it combines her love of teaching with her love of the study of history.


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