School
Subjects 1
Subjects 1
What was the traditional material used to make chalkboards?
Slate. Chalkboards were traditionally made using a large, smooth piece of dark-gray slate. Prior to the introduction of the chalkboard, teachers had no way to visually depict their lessons.
What is the name of the organization comprising parents, teachers, and school staff that is designed to promote parental participation in schools?
Parent-Teacher Association (aka the PTA). The Parent-Teacher Association was founded in 1897 by two mothers and was originally called the National Congress of Mothers.
What is the name of the traditional event in American high schools and colleges that typically features a football game, pep rally, dance, and alumni events?
Homecoming. The earliest occurrences of homecoming celebrations date back to the early 1900s as a way for past students to visit their old colleges and show their school pride. It was celebrated with a football game in which the home team would face a rival team. By the 1930s, homecoming celebrations spread to high schools.
What is the name of the dance where the girl invites the boy to be their date?
Sadie Hawkins Dance. The Sadie Hawkins Dance was created based on a comic strip by Al Capp in 1937 wherein a young woman would chase bachelors and marry the one she caught. After its release, Time magazine recorded over 200 colleges holding Sadie Hawkins Days, which eventually evolved into Sadie Hawkins Dances.
What class promotes fitness, health, and well-being through activity?
Physical education, or “gym.” These classes date back to the early 1800s, when gymnastics, basic hygiene, and exercise were first introduced into the school system. In the United States today, physical education classes are mandatory in only 43 states.
The main educational philosophy of the “three Rs” was emphasized in 19th-century schools. What did the three Rs stand for?
Reading, wRiting, and aRithmetic. The 3 Rs philosophy is traditionally credited to Sir William Curtis, an English politician and philanthropist. Curtis believed reading, writing, and arithmetic were the basis of education and that before moving on to more advanced subjects like history, one had to master the three Rs
What is the term for a list of all the subjects and topics covered in a course?
Syllabus. The purpose of a class syllabus is for teachers to communicate with their students prior to the first class. It typically includes a teacher’s expectations, what will be covered throughout the course, and deadlines for assignments.
The song “Be True to Your School” was performed by what famous band?
The Beach Boys. The song was featured on the Beach Boys’ 1963 album Little Deuce Coupe and uses the same melody as the University of Wisconsin’s fight song, “On, Wisconsin!” It reached No. 6 on the U.S. Billboard Top 100 after its release
What is the term for the vehicle commonly used to transport students to and from school?
School bus. In the early 1930s, manufacturing company Wayne Works was credited with producing the earliest school bus, made of steel with glass windows for safety. In 1939, the University of Manhattan hosted a meeting that set national standards for the vehicles.
Which U.S. president was known as an advocate for physical education classes?
John F. Kennedy. While in office, Kennedy made it a goal to improve health and fitness across the country. One example of his efforts is the creation of the annual Youth Fitness Congress.
What is the term for the document issued at the end of a grading period that details a student’s performance in their classes?
Report card. The earliest report cards can be traced back to the 1830s and ’40s as a way for teachers to control unruly students. These early report cards often detailed a student’s behavior, attendance, and academic performance.
What school subject involves the study of numbers and equations?
Mathematics. In the 1950s, the term new math was introduced by Max Beberman, who encouraged students to use the principles of mathematics to think about problems and draw conclusions. Previous generations were primarily taught mathematics by using memorization.
What type of schoolhouse was typically found in rural areas from the early 1800s to the mid-20th century?
One-room schoolhouse. True to its name, the one-room schoolhouse featured one room where a single teacher would teach children of different ages basic skills.
Which 1972 rock anthem by Alice Cooper became a quintessential end-of-school-year anthem?
“School’s Out.” Alice Cooper has said that the song was written with rebellion in mind—rebellion against classroom order, principals, and teachers who impose rules on students. It was Cooper’s way of musically representing the last three minutes of the last day of school before summer vacation.
First introduced in 1926, what standardized test do U.S. high school students take to demonstrate their readiness for college admissions?
The SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test). The original SAT included nine different subjects, and students had 90 minutes to answer 315 questions. Prior to the introduction of the SAT, students would have to travel to colleges and take entrance exams.
What was the name of the landmark case wherein the Supreme Court ruled that separating children in public schools based on race was unconstitutional?
Brown vs. Board of Education. On May 17, 1954, the Supreme Court delivered the unanimous decision that separating children in public schools based on race was a violation of the 14th Amendment.
What educational tool, introduced in the 19th century, revolutionized the way students learned to read by using phonics and repetition?
The McGuffey Readers. The McGuffey Readers were a series of easy-reading books for grade levels one through six. Widely used in American schools in the 1830s, they helped standardize the English language, and by 1925, more than 120 million copies were sold.
. What 1985 coming-of-age movie tells the story of five high school teens serving Saturday detention together?
The Breakfast Club. The film earned over $50 million upon its release, and critics said it was one of director John Hughes’ most memorable works.
What is the name of the portable electronic device that allows students to solve both basic arithmetic and complex equations?
Calculator. The first handheld calculator was invented in 1967 by a group of Texas Instruments engineers. Although this was a revolutionary invention, the introduction of these calculators was not well received in the school system. Originally only reserved for use at home, it wasn’t until 1975 that calculators were allowed in schools for students in eighth grade and higher.
What 1989 film starring Robin Williams depicts an English teacher at an all-boys preparatory school who encourages his students to embrace poetry and “seize the day”?
Dead Poets Society. Prior to this film, Williams was known for his comedic roles. Getting off to a rough start, the director suggested that Williams improvise a scene to get more comfortable. This advice worked, and Williams ended up improvising 15 percent of the character’s dialogue.
What was the nickname given to the group of Black students in Arkansas who enrolled in a formerly all-white high school?
Little Rock Nine. After the 1954 Supreme Court decision, some states in the South defied the ruling. The Governor of Arkansas called on the state’s National Guard to prevent Black students from entering all-white schools. President Eisenhower deployed federal troops to Arkansas to allow the Little Rock Nine to attend the school under armed guard.
What term is used to describe the person responsible for maintaining discipline and handling administrative tasks in a school?
Principal. Principals of schools have the responsibility to oversee school operations, coordinate curricula, manage staff, and create a productive environment for students to flourish.
What phrase is often used to describe the primary years of schooling, typically from kindergarten through fifth grade?
Elementary school. Prior to the term elementary school, the term common school was used to refer to state-supported school systems in the first half of the 19th century. Its purpose is to prepare students with fundamental skills and knowledge to support their educational journey.
What school subject underwent a major shift during the Cold War and the launch of Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite, by the Soviet Union?
Science. Many politicians felt that science in America had fallen behind, and this event highlighted the technological gap between the United States and the Soviet Union. The 1958 National Defense Education Act created scholarships for aspiring scientists and more resources for schools to enhance their science programs
Who was the dedicated teacher known as the “Miracle Worker” who taught Helen Keller, a deaf-blind child, to communicate?
Anne Sullivan. Mark Twain gave Sullivan the nickname “Miracle Worker,” stating that he was annoyed that while everyone wanted to meet Keller, they were overlooking her teacher.