Old School 1.0

We’re Going Back in Time

Depending on your age, you might or might not be familiar with what I’m sharing.

“Back in the day”, when we were disobedient or doing something, we shouldn’t be doing in class, our teachers made us write sentences.

And nobody wanted to write, period.  It was dreaded!  So having to write sentences was what we considered a harsh punishment.

The purpose of writing sentences was to prevent us from repeating the negative act that caused us to have to write the sentences in the first place.

Some examples of the sentences are below:

“I will not talk without raising my hand.”  This sentence was given when we continued to blurt out answers to questions asked by our teacher.

“I will not get up from my seat without permission.”  I’m sure this sentence needs no explanation.

First, it was an embarrassing moment when we were reprimanded in front of the entire class.

Secondly, depending on the severity of the offense the number of times we had to write the sentence made the difference if someone would cry.

25 to 100 Times   

If it was a minor offense, most times we were required to write the sentence at a minimum of 25 times.

But it if was considered a major offense or if the student had repeatedly broken a rule, they were required to write the sentence 100 times!

I can still remember seeing some of my classmate’s silent tears as they wrote the sentences. Seeing their hands cradling the pencil tightly trying to complete the assignment. 

The sentences must be completed in addition to our regular assignments.

Often you would hear classmates complaining, “My hands are hurting or, “My hands are cramping.”

It didn’t matter, we were required to complete the sentences in the time given.

Bringing Back Old School...

In our sessions at Girls and Boys of Character, we have decided to use this “Old School” method when the children are disobedient or doing something they shouldn’t do.

You can well imagine their face expressions!  The confusion as well as the disbelief on their faces were both comical and expected.  (Although, we couldn’t let them see us laugh.)

Two of the children made unkind remarks about another child.  They were given this sentence to write, "I will not make fun of others."

They were also instructed that if the sentences were not written with a Spirit of Excellence, they would be required to write them over.

Attached is a copy of some of the sentences written.

There is more to this story. We’ll share in our next blog post.

Girls and Boys of Character thank you for your support.