Lismore primary children had a taste of what it was like to be an Edwardian school pupil thanks to an exhibition of an Edwardian classroom at the Museum and an invitation from the curator, Jennifer Baker, for a trip back in time.
Edwardian Classroom 22.May 2012
A quiz about the various objects they saw about them got things off to a great start and then they had to change into costumes to play their parts as Edwardian children.
Quiz
Mrs Williamson (aka Freda Drysdale) then rang the bell and lined them up for their first lesson, spelling. Sitting up ramrod straight arms folded while she talked, and writing on slates were just two of the strange things they encountered but their behaviour was so good there was no need for any discipline of a harsh nature.
At play time they were introduced to peever, chuckies, skipping, marbles and gird and cleat which some were amazingly good at. After refreshments in the café, Beth’s version of gruel, they were back learning their two times table in Gaelic with Margaret MacDonald..
The afternoon finished with a visit from the nurse (aka Lorraine King) who introduced them to carbolic soap (not popular) and checked them all for nits.
Edwardian Classroom 22.May 2012
