Victorian memories (UK):One of my earliest memories of school in the early 1900s was being given a tray of sand to write out my letters with my finger. It had the advantage that there was no serious rubbing out to do. To start afresh, we children only had to shake the tray. Later came slate and a 'slate' pencil, which made a horrible scratching noise and was very dirty because we would spit on the slate to rub bits out. We see the photo of a double-sided child's slate from the early 1900s,

Victorian memories (UK):One of my earliest memories of school in the early 1900s was being given a tray of sand to write out my letters with my finger. It had the advantage that there was no serious rubbing out to do. To start afresh, we children only had to shake the tray. Later came slate and a 'slate' pencil, which made a horrible scratching noise and was very dirty because we would spit on the slate to rub bits out. We see the photo of a double-sided child's slate from the early 1900s,

The left-hand photo shows one side of the slate which is plain and the right-hand photo shows the reverse side which has lines scratched onto it to guide children's writing. The photo also shows the special pencil for use with the slate. The writer says:”I have been unable to confirm what the slate pencils were made of. The most likely information on the internet suggests that they were of a soft slate composition or soap stone. The writing on the slate came out white.”

The left-hand photo shows one side of the slate which is plain and the right-hand photo shows the reverse side which has lines scratched onto it to guide children's writing. The photo also shows the special pencil for use with the slate. The writer says:”I have been unable to confirm what the slate pencils were made of. The most likely information on the internet suggests that they were of a soft slate composition or soap stone. The writing on the slate came out white.”

Xguern66 says:
Thankfully slates were a little before my time. Love your page - great photo and as always such interesting information.
Mar 10, 2014

Lavender Passion says:
Beautiful photo, LO and Lovely page! Love the birdie!
Mar 10, 2014

Lori47 says:
Wonderful information behind where you remember as a child and being creative! This is also an adorable vintage page in so many ways!
Mar 10, 2014

scrapping lee says:
wonderful page and so informative too xxx
Mar 10, 2014

haymani says:
too gorgeous xx
Mar 10, 2014

valrushton says:
Gorgeous page!
Mar 10, 2014

Micheline 1 says:
Fantastic page and very interesting information as always Rose-Marie! xx
Mar 10, 2014