Maybe you guys came across this on Yahoo-an exam for 8th graders from 1912 from Bullitt County, KY. How many questions can you answer? Of course they start with my least favorite, math.

Some really tough questions no?

TIS


http://www.eonline.com/news/447942/eight...m-100-years-ago

Annie, realize that 8th grade was probably the equivalent of a much higher education than it is today. Most graduates finished in 8th grade.

Also, let's face it, basics like geography and multiplication tables are not taught today the way they were. My niece, who is a teacher herself, had no idea what ocean is found at the NY coastline. Additionally, when my kids started to study multiplication, I was told that "rote recitation" really doesn't teach them. They're just reciting it with no comprehension of what they're saying. Truth be told, to this day, they don't know them. And I can still tell you in a flash, because I remember Sister Mary Brendan walking around the classroom with ruler in hand while we recited the times tables.

My grandparents used to tell me that when they were in grade school, they were taught French and German in addition to the core subjects. I think American education today waits too long to offer language training. Learning an additional language early on helps students master English as well. I have always felt in my adult life that Latin was the most valuable class I had prior to college and law school.

Grammar, syntax and usage today in the US are deficient. I don't think schools diagram sentences anymore. They also have deemphasized cursive decades ago, but I think that is a response to recognizing that we are rarely putting pen to paper as most of our writing is done electronically.

I'm not sure they teach cursive at all today.

My daughter was horrified that in her 11th grade English class, they had a lesson on its and it's, they're, their and there and weather and whether. 11th grade!! WTF were they teaching them in the 10 years before that?

I thought I read somewhere they were talking about eliminating cursive too. With everything done on a computer these days who knows.

One thing I always thought was kind of challenging when I was in school was diagramming a sentence. They don't do that anymore either. Also, it was required to take a Government/Civics class in HS.


TIS

Ask her if she knows what is the capital of Europe.

LOL @ Olivant!

They still teach civics, at least in our local high school, only they call it Participation in Government (which all the kids call PIG). As part of it, they have to do community service, including attending both a school board meeting and one government meeting, such as town board or county legislature.

Because my kids are four years apart, they actually took the class during presidential elections. It was a wonderful learning experience and really got them engaged in the process.

That is one tough exam.

I never took Algebra in high school or in business school, but both my daughters were required to take it in middle school. When they'd ask help for homework, I was lost and couldn't help them if they had questions.

When I was in High School, we were required to take two years of math (I hate math in case you can't tell). I took Business Math & Bookkeeping. It never was a requirement back in the olden days.

TIS

I am in 11th grade and I had some difficulties answering some of those questions. Math and government/civics was the toughest. I am not schedule to take government till my senior year, but when it comes to math I am better at algebra than common general math.

I am in 11th grade and I had some difficulties answering some of those questions. Math and government/civics was the toughest. I am not schedule to take government till my senior year, but when it comes to math I am better at algebra than common general math.

Aaaaaaaaaargh!

Difficult test, to put it mildly. I won't be whitewashing any walls, walking any miles, or figuring out any Pythagorean whatevers in my spare time.

So, I shall not be visiting 1912 any time soon. I am reconfiguring the TARDIS as I write this...



Dr. V.

Awww that's so cute.

Newcastle upon Tyne. England. UK-ville!!!!