52 Weeks of Sharing Memories - Grades 5 and 6

Lorine McGinnis Schulze at Olive Tree Genealogy has challenged us to keep a weekly journal of our own memories in 52 Weeks of Writing our Memories for our future generations. This will be a good way for me to record what little I still remember!

I went to S. L. Mason Elementary School in Valdosta, Georgia, from fourth to sixth grades. In fifth grade, my teacher was Mrs. Atkinson. I remember that she read to us sometimes, and her husband would visit our class once in a while. She and her husband lived down the street from us. I lived across the street from them for a number of years as an adult.

I hated reading circle even though I loved to read. I just hated having to stumble out loud over words in front of everyone. One project that I remember in particular, because it was so much fun, was making a farm scene. I don't remember the details, but my dad picked some dried grass for me from an area off of Gornto Road that I think was a field or at least a vacant lot at the time (this area was the former Jones farm and is now full of houses). The tall, dried grass reminded me of hay. I don't remember exactly what the project was about, but I have the impression that it was probably to do with Georgia industry or agriculture.

Fifth grade, taken in 1965

I had to start wearing glasses in fifth grade, and in sixth grade, I had to get braces. If that wasn't a sight! My sixth grade teacher was Mrs. Brandon. 

Sixth grade. Look at those glasses! Oh, how I disliked them!

I played tetherball at recess--another game I loved--but I don't remember which grade I was in. Maybe both fifth and sixth grades. I was always trying to beat my friend Lynn at tetherball, but I never could. She was the best player. I think she beat everyone, boys included. I had a very small circle of friends, and those friends lived within walking distance of where I lived. We went to the same church, sang in the church choir (I can't carry at tune), participated in other church activities together, and spent the night at each other's houses. Lynn moved away after sixth grade. I think we exchanged a few letters but then lost touch. I had the same hairdo, from the time I had enough hair to put up in a hair clip, until the end of sixth grade, but that changed in the summer between sixth and seventh grades.

This is about the extent of my memories of fifth and sixth grades other than flashes of scenes and people every now and then--just tiny moments still lingering in my brain.

Catherine