by Thomas Millington
Member since:
September 14, 2006

FIRST GRADE - WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER?

August 19, 2008 04:29 PM UTC (Updated: August 02, 2009 04:05 AM UTC)
views: 0 | comments: 22

For some of us first grade was seemingly a very long time ago; for others not so long.  But we all have memories - some pleasant, others dull, still others pretty scary.  What stands out in your mind?

Mostly I remember Harriett.  Harriett sat in the back row and almost never spoke, except, that is, to ask to go to the bathroom.  Harriett was almost too big for her chair, seeing as how she must have been about five years older than the rest of us.  She didn't talk much and nobody ever talked to her, not even the teacher.

I was a little sad thinking about Harriett;  I knew at that age there was something wrong but I didn't know quite what it was.  Harriett was just Harriett, I thought.  And I left it at that.  She dribbled and drooled a lot, and couldn't print her letters without teacher's help.  But I guess she wasn't expected to.

I don't know what ever happened to Harriett when I graduated to second grade.  I guess she stayed behind dribbling and drooling and fitting ever tighter into her first grade seat.  Did she ever grow up and get married?  Ever have a date?  Drive a car?  Have children?  I don't know; I never saw her again.  But I do remember her.  She's the one I remember most from first grade.  I wonder why that is.

Do you know Harriett?  Have you ever seen her?  If you ever do say hello from Thomas.  She just might remember me.

What do you remember from first grade?  Anyone special - or not so special?

Comments: 22

Katie Pickrell Aug 19, 2008, 4:45pm UTC
First grade was a little bit scary for me because I switched schools in the middle of the year when we moved. But I had a WONDERFUL teacher, Mrs. Creasy. She was so kind and smart...one of those rare teachers you never forget.
Thomas Millington Aug 19, 2008, 4:58pm UTC
Katie: Thanks for sharing your memories.
Elizabeth V. Aug 19, 2008, 4:58pm UTC
That was when kids didn't learn to write until first grade. I remember on my first day my teacher had each child's name written on masking tape on each desk. My name was so, so long, I thought.

I went to a Catholic school and had to start each day with a bunch of prayers.
Thomas Millington Aug 19, 2008, 5:04pm UTC
Elizabeth and Andrea: Thanks for the memories.
Thomas Millington Aug 19, 2008, 5:16pm UTC
Shirley: You sure have some vivid memories. Isn't it funny how these little things stick with us?
Chris E. Aug 19, 2008, 5:29pm UTC
The only thing I remember about first grade is that my teacher's name was Ms. Doyle and that she use to dangle her shoe off her toes while reading us a book.
Thomas Millington Aug 19, 2008, 5:35pm UTC
Chris: Which do you remember most, the shoe or the story.
Mary McCartt Aug 19, 2008, 5:48pm UTC
I remember being terrified. I had no idea how I was to get home to my mother. No one told me that someone would put me on the correct bus. I also remember twin boys, Larry and Randy Fairweather. Randy sat near me and I didnt like him for some reason. I remember being mortified when the teacher told us all to sit up and when I did she told me I didnt have to. Why not? I wore a brace on my left leg. I was different. I didnt think it mattered but she did.
Grade school was hell and high school wasnt much better. Now college......I love college.

What in the world made you think of this Thomas?
Thomas Millington Aug 19, 2008, 5:54pm UTC
Mary: Thank you for your recollections. Today is the first day of school here where I live and I got to thinking that the first day is always nerve wracking no matter what grade you're in, but especially in your first year.
Donald Hawley Aug 19, 2008, 6:02pm UTC
Thomas: I remember nothing of the first day of school or even the first years of school. I don't even remember my last day of school or what course I was taking. I'm lucky to remember to get up in the morning. Maybe I should comment on your site, "Nothing". Actually, I have, numerous times... but it comes up blank because I have nothing to say on "nothing."
Chris E. Aug 19, 2008, 6:07pm UTC
The shoes. LOL
Mary McCartt Aug 19, 2008, 6:14pm UTC
I know one thing. I remembered the feelings enough to thoroughly prepare my daughter. I took her to the school and we walked to her room and met her teacher. I let her explore a bus and the day went off to school for the first time, I got a big smile and a "bye Mom! See ya later!" She was happy and so was I.
James C. Aug 19, 2008, 7:15pm UTC
Thomas,

Sad memories from first grade! I don't really remember all that much but most of it was uneventful. I do remember setting in a semi circle and reading flash cards. I didn't care much for school. The first day of first grade, I went home at recess, I thought it was the end of day! Never cared much for anything in school until college, really! I have a hard time relinquishing control over me to teachers or anyone else.
Thomas Millington Aug 19, 2008, 7:25pm UTC
Mary: You did a good thing.
Thomas Millington Aug 19, 2008, 7:27pm UTC
James: Glad to hear you enjoyed college. You must have gotten a lot out of school otherwise you would not have gotten to college.
Carol Roach Aug 20, 2008, 12:19am UTC
if you read my back stories you will see that I have two stories written about first grade, I wrote hundreds of stories here on gather about my life.
Thomas Millington Aug 20, 2008, 12:17pm UTC
D.B.D.: Thank you for your contribution.
Jean R B. Aug 20, 2008, 10:42pm UTC
My sister was in second grade and took me bome with her. I don't remember much about first grade.
Jan S. Aug 1, 2009, 8:49pm UTC
I liked my first grade teacher. I am a Boomer, so my classroom had 60 children. There were three other first grades, each with an equal number of students. I freaks me out when I hear parents complain about 20 kids being a large class.
We moved and my second grade class only had about 30 kids. I liked it better.
Thomas Millington Aug 2, 2009, 4:07am UTC
Thanks, Jan

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