MEMORIES of One-Room Schools

About the Book

Hopefully MEMORIES of One-Room Schools will be enjoyed by anyone that ever attended these schools, knows of anyone that did or is interested in history. Some of the things included are a brief history of one-room schools and the special state program that was legislated to solve the teacher shortage. Some topics covered in the book are:—the different languages spoken—sporadic attendance—clothes worn—“hickory stick” discipline—getting to and from school—sleigh/bob sled rides—horses ridden to and from school—where the teacher stayed—water for the school—building and banking fires—schoolhouse pests—outhouses—lard or syrup lunch pails—snowbound at the school house—subject taught—spelling bees—YCL song—special days—school picnics—description of classroom and some of the recess and indoor games played by the students. But the highlight of the book is the humorous, interesting memories of former students, parents and friends. Baked potatoes and the game Anti-I-Over appear to be favorite memories.

About the Author

The draft and “baby boom” during WW11 and the Korean War resulted in a teacher shortage in one-room rural-schools that prompted the South Dakota Legislature to enact a special program. As a result of this program, Lorraine Jorgensen-Zimney was able to begin her thirty-eight year teaching career as a seventeen year old high school graduate, in a school where her eighth grade boy was only three years younger than she was. Though at times she misses teaching and the students, she now has the free time that comes with retirement, so that she can enjoy doing some of her long postponed hobbies and projects. Other books available by Lorraine Jorgensen-Zimney are TEDDY and TEDDY THE SEQUEL about life on a 1940s farm with her beloved Border Collie, Teddy.