Chapter Four: School Days

 Indian Hill School was a hub for the neighborhood. We loved our teachers and the big grassy playground too. From kindergarten to sixth grade we learned in mostly traditional ways sitting at our desks, reading from our text books, and listening to our teachers. I remember both the mishaps and good times from every grade. 

In kindergarten, as I recounted, there were the revelations and excitement about school as well as the amazing teacher, Ms. Ball. 

In first grade, I remember that learning to read was challenging. We sat in small reading groups and practiced reading as we read stories about Dick and Jane and their many friends and family members. I peed in my pants in first grade. I had my hand up, but the teacher didn't see it, and then it was too late. I was very embarrassed, by Dana Rice, who sat next to me was very nice. My teacher, Mrs. Howard, was very nice too.

In second grade, I was in a basement classroom with Ms. Foley. Ms. Foley was actually a distant relative of ours. I remember her to be a big, smart woman with blond hair. I spilt the yellow paint in second grade. I was totally embarassed and had to sit in the principal's office wearing one of his big shirts until my washed-out Brownie dress dried while being hung from the teacher's room window. The neighborhood dog, Lacey, bit through my mitten on the playground that year too. I lost the book fair money I was holding in my mitten, and later Lacey had to be removed to a new home since she was causing lots of disruption on the playground and in the neighborhood. I felt bad about that. I liked Ms. Foley's quick-pace, vibrant teaching, and it was a good year of learning in a mixed grade of second and third graders.

In third grade, I had Ms. McLaughlin. She was highly organized and energetic. I really learned to read that year and spent time reading every day. I loved the book, Ms. Mike's House, and once again, found myself in a book. We learned our math facts and practiced every day. I always tried to keep up with a smart, artistic classmate, Susan, which I believed motivated me to learn more and draw better too. 

Fourth grade positioned me in another split grade. There were fourth graders and fifth graders. Mrs. Slater, my teacher, had a nice collection of books in the back of the room which I enjoyed looking through and reading some. She was a quick paced math teacher, and I enjoyed math. I was still a relatively slow reader, and I didn't like the SRA reading apprach used since I didn't find too much success with it. We had a couple of great student teachers that year including Mr. Chamberlin. They added a creative spark to the year. I got in a lot of trouble from the cool kids that year for tattling and learned a valuable lesson about telling on others. Mrs. Slater could be harsh at times, and that was difficult for some students, but I found that, in general, her teaching approach worked for me. 

On the other hand, my fifth grade teacher, Ms. Johnson, was a beautiful and beloved teacher, yet she was a more difficult teacher for me. Her systems of reward were challenging since the rewards were always in areas that I was not good at. For example, rather than a reward, I received demerits for my messy desk. I didn't like that basement classroom and often had stomach aches that year. In hindsight, I wonder if the classroom suffered from mold. That was the year I had to get glasses. I was embarassed about that. The highlights of the year, however, included the fact that I was chosen to be the kindergarten helper and that the art teacher chose me to display my art work at the city art fair. I was honored and excited to display my work as I loved to draw and create.

In sixth grade, I had Mr. Quist. Admittedly I had a big crush on this young teacher who loved to tell stories. He told all kinds of stories about the Vietnam War and other current events. I also had a big crush on our curly haired classmate, Robert McDonald. I couldn't take my eyes off of him. I wasn't alone--he was the new kid and man of the girls had their eyes on him. We spent a lot of time that year talking about boys and chasing the boys all over the playground. There were graduation parties including spin-the-bottle and anticipation for Forest Grove Junior High. 

Indian Hill School created a tight and supportive community for most of us. At that time, however, they didn't have the technology or expertise when it came to teaching students with learning challenges and emotional struggles, so for some of those children including my own brother, those elementary school days were not always positive.