Hell in the First Grade
My first grade of school.35 total reviews
Comment from Pearl Edwards
You've written this story of your girst year at school very well, Harry. I am sure some of the teachers from years ago really hated kids. Loved the description of Ms Piddocks. I too remember teachers smacking our desks with rulers, terrified me. And some say school days are the best years, they never were for me. Enjoyed reading this.
Cheers
reply by the author on 23-Sep-2024
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You've written this story of your girst year at school very well, Harry. I am sure some of the teachers from years ago really hated kids. Loved the description of Ms Piddocks. I too remember teachers smacking our desks with rulers, terrified me. And some say school days are the best years, they never were for me. Enjoyed reading this.
Cheers
Comment Written 22-Sep-2024
reply by the author on 23-Sep-2024
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Thank you so much Pearl for your review. I really appreciate that!
Comment from CD Richards
Firstly, I enjoyed the story. It's one I can relate to, as I too have known bullies. In my case, they were four grades above me and therefore much bigger and stronger, and there were more of them. Not much I could do about that. Fighting back wasn't an option.
I don't agree with your premise. It's not a big deal, and I'm not saying you are wrong, but I see it differently. No one is a coward for avoiding a fight they don't want and didn't start.
I found your writing style easy to read. If I can make one suggestion: Six out of your seven first sentences begin with "I...." This makes for a certain amount of monotony. It's best to think how you might rearrange the sentences to avoid starting each the same way. You did correct this pretty well in the middle part, but then it crept back in towards the end.
Thanks for sharing, and well done.
reply by the author on 23-Sep-2024
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Firstly, I enjoyed the story. It's one I can relate to, as I too have known bullies. In my case, they were four grades above me and therefore much bigger and stronger, and there were more of them. Not much I could do about that. Fighting back wasn't an option.
I don't agree with your premise. It's not a big deal, and I'm not saying you are wrong, but I see it differently. No one is a coward for avoiding a fight they don't want and didn't start.
I found your writing style easy to read. If I can make one suggestion: Six out of your seven first sentences begin with "I...." This makes for a certain amount of monotony. It's best to think how you might rearrange the sentences to avoid starting each the same way. You did correct this pretty well in the middle part, but then it crept back in towards the end.
Thanks for sharing, and well done.
Comment Written 22-Sep-2024
reply by the author on 23-Sep-2024
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Thank you so much CD for your great review. I appreciate the insight on my oops too!
Comment from lancellot
It is a very detailed and interesting story from what, 1965. Almost sixty years ago. I'm sorry, I cannot fathom how this is non-fiction, and you remember all that fine detail from when you were six years old. Now, as a mostly fiction story, fine. It works but I would increase the age.
reply by the author on 23-Sep-2024
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It is a very detailed and interesting story from what, 1965. Almost sixty years ago. I'm sorry, I cannot fathom how this is non-fiction, and you remember all that fine detail from when you were six years old. Now, as a mostly fiction story, fine. It works but I would increase the age.
Comment Written 21-Sep-2024
reply by the author on 23-Sep-2024
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Well, thank you lancellot for your review. I have always had a great memory and yes, this is a true story that I could never forget!
Comment from Liz O'Neill
Your first grade teacher sounds like my second grade teacher. She used to bully me every time I came in late. She didn't know the background of it anymore today news background of you. Didn't know that my mother had to get up late to get me going because my alcoholic father had her up almost all hours of the night cooking his supper. Your 1st grade didn't know the trauma you had had with your surgery and adjustment. A good temporary conclusion. I've thought over and over again that I should have given you an A+ with your original one so I'll give you an A+ here.
reply by the author on 23-Sep-2024
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Your first grade teacher sounds like my second grade teacher. She used to bully me every time I came in late. She didn't know the background of it anymore today news background of you. Didn't know that my mother had to get up late to get me going because my alcoholic father had her up almost all hours of the night cooking his supper. Your 1st grade didn't know the trauma you had had with your surgery and adjustment. A good temporary conclusion. I've thought over and over again that I should have given you an A+ with your original one so I'll give you an A+ here.
Comment Written 21-Sep-2024
reply by the author on 23-Sep-2024
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Thank you again Liz for the great review. I really appreciate that!
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My pleasure
Comment from BethShelby
I like to see bullies get what is coming and I'm glad it worked out that way. I wonder why kid think they have to take on all these horrors alone. Our parents care about and would like to defend you against a teacher who was intimidating you. I would have likely done the same thing as you and not said anything at home. But a six year only shouldn't have to spend a year in fear.
reply by the author on 23-Sep-2024
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I like to see bullies get what is coming and I'm glad it worked out that way. I wonder why kid think they have to take on all these horrors alone. Our parents care about and would like to defend you against a teacher who was intimidating you. I would have likely done the same thing as you and not said anything at home. But a six year only shouldn't have to spend a year in fear.
Comment Written 21-Sep-2024
reply by the author on 23-Sep-2024
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Well, thank you Beth for your review. And yes, you are so right. At six we are afraid sometimes to tell our parents what is going on. I appreciate your review!
Comment from Ulla
I think your dad was a great parent. He actually taught you a great lesson that day.
I'm so sorry that you had to go through so much angst with those bullies. All best, Ulla:)))
reply by the author on 23-Sep-2024
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I think your dad was a great parent. He actually taught you a great lesson that day.
I'm so sorry that you had to go through so much angst with those bullies. All best, Ulla:)))
Comment Written 21-Sep-2024
reply by the author on 23-Sep-2024
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Well, thank you so much Ulla. You are so right. He did teach me well. I really appreciate your review!
Comment from Ric Myworld
You've shared a teaching story that many of us had to learn along the way. My first day of first grade, a member of a group of sixth-graders threw a rock that caused me to get nine stitches above my eye. Then when I came home covered in blood, my dad got out the razor strap and burnt my butt up for not fighting back. Those are hard lessons, but ones we all need to learn early in life. Thanks for sharing.
reply by the author on 23-Sep-2024
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You've shared a teaching story that many of us had to learn along the way. My first day of first grade, a member of a group of sixth-graders threw a rock that caused me to get nine stitches above my eye. Then when I came home covered in blood, my dad got out the razor strap and burnt my butt up for not fighting back. Those are hard lessons, but ones we all need to learn early in life. Thanks for sharing.
Comment Written 21-Sep-2024
reply by the author on 23-Sep-2024
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Wow! Well, Ric. It sounds like your first year started out rough too. And yes, you are so right. We as boys have to learn how to become men and it is not always easy. I really appreciate your review!
Comment from Sanku
I agree with you .Though we generally say that children are innocent ,they are not .In schools we can find embodiments of vile behaviour .Sometime i used to wonder if they are picking up this aggression from their own homes.I liked your father's advice..very apt.
reply by the author on 23-Sep-2024
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I agree with you .Though we generally say that children are innocent ,they are not .In schools we can find embodiments of vile behaviour .Sometime i used to wonder if they are picking up this aggression from their own homes.I liked your father's advice..very apt.
Comment Written 21-Sep-2024
reply by the author on 23-Sep-2024
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Well, thank you Sanku. You are so right too. I really appreciate your review!
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
I'm glad your dad met you and saw what was going on. He had already sussed out the reason. That is all it takes, just one punch away if freedom. The teacher sounded a bit like mine. She would use any excuse to pick on me, and call me out in front of the class, lift my skirt up and smack my bottom. I hated her. That was my first year as well. Some teachers back then were monsters. They wouldn't get away with it today. Well done, and well done to your dad as well!! :)) Sandra xx
reply by the author on 23-Sep-2024
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I'm glad your dad met you and saw what was going on. He had already sussed out the reason. That is all it takes, just one punch away if freedom. The teacher sounded a bit like mine. She would use any excuse to pick on me, and call me out in front of the class, lift my skirt up and smack my bottom. I hated her. That was my first year as well. Some teachers back then were monsters. They wouldn't get away with it today. Well done, and well done to your dad as well!! :)) Sandra xx
Comment Written 21-Sep-2024
reply by the author on 23-Sep-2024
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Well, thank you Sandra. And yes, you are so right. My third grade teacher slapped a boy across the face in the morning and that afternoon he still had a red hand print on his face. Today, that teacher would be in jail and lose her teaching license. But that is how is was back then. Thank you so much for your review. I really appreciate that!
Comment from Wendy G
Your teacher sounds like she could have been the twin sister of mine in Grade 1. Wore black from top to toe, with a red gash of blood-like lipstick. We got the edge of the ruler across the knuckles. These were not teachers, they were bullies, just like the boys. I'm glad they got blood noses.
Wendy
reply by the author on 23-Sep-2024
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Your teacher sounds like she could have been the twin sister of mine in Grade 1. Wore black from top to toe, with a red gash of blood-like lipstick. We got the edge of the ruler across the knuckles. These were not teachers, they were bullies, just like the boys. I'm glad they got blood noses.
Wendy
Comment Written 21-Sep-2024
reply by the author on 23-Sep-2024
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Well, thank you Wendy. Yes, you are so right. Today some of those teachers would have been in jail. I really appreciate your review!