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I Was Given Lines At School

Detention was combined with lines so that you could not use the detention time productively in any way whatever. Instead of lines that could be repeated, you were asked (really, required) to copy symbol for symbol dictionary pages. Phonetic symbols were the hardest. I didn't learn anything during detention. It just was unpleasant and embarrassing. Probably "worked" as a substitute for something more physically painful like running laps or licks with a paddle and definitely strokes with a cane.

There was no attempt whatever to make it morally educational or a positive experience in any way. Just judicially administered unpleasant moments.

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Heartlander · 80-89, M

I remember "lines" 500 times .....

An alternative punishment in the lower grades was "memorizing", especially for group punishment. Like "everyone go sit in that room and memorize from here to here." (pointing)

You can leave once you can recite it from memory. A few failed attempts could get another paragraph added, so don't say you have it unless you are pretty sure :(

The punished group would dwindle one by one. 5 minute for some kids, an hour for others.

MaryJanine · 70-79, F

@Heartlander That would have been easy for me. I became a voracious reader early and usually retained whatever I read.

Heartlander · 80-89, M

@MaryJanine

Not fair! The same people always got out early!

As I remember, when the teacher started looking at his watch, the need for read back precision diminished :)

MaryJanine · 70-79, F

@Heartlander I can't help that..holler at my stepsister. She taught me to read when I was eighteen months old (No fooling! My mom told this story around and my stepsister verified it.)

Heartlander · 80-89, M

@MaryJanine

Understandable. Our kids were reading at age two and and education was forever a positive thing for them.

I personally learned to read upside-down, thanks to an older brother who didn't like to share.