Oxford-on-Rideau PS Students Travel Back to 1876; Spend Day in One-Room Schoolhouse

Oxford Mills – Grade 3/4 students from Oxford-on-Rideau Public School in the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) travelled back in time nearly 150 years to learn what made up a typical school day in the year 1876.

The school partnered with both the North Grenville Municipality and the North Grenville Historical Society to allow students an opportunity to learn and experience what life was like as a kid in that era.

On June 7, North Grenville generously opened the doors of its old one-room schoolhouse in Oxford Mills, built in 1875, to provide an experiential space for this Real-World Learning opportunity. Currently, the building, now known as Maplewood Hall, is used as a meeting space for the municipality.

“Students had lots of questions and wonderings about the past and have been looking forward to this day,” said Oxford-on-Rideau Grade 3/4 teacher Steve Paterson. “This experience enables them to experience some history of the community where they live.”

Members from the historical society, along with community volunteers, helped bring history alive by showing off antique items and playing turn-of-the-century games, all while discussing the history and a day in the life of those who lived at that time.

“Students have been actively uncovering the social studies curriculum by researching various aspects of life during this time and were excited to ‘live their learning’,” said Principal Brad O’Neil. “This experience allows students to appreciate the past as a way of better understanding the present and the future while making new connections with their rural community.”

Some students even dressed in age-appropriate attire for the day, including suspenders and wool hats for the boys and floor-length dresses and bonnets for the girls.

“The butter churn was my favourite item they showed,” said Grade 3 student Nathan VanGilts.

“I think this is pretty cool,” added Grade 3 student Adley Wilson. “We learned how to write cursive with a feather pen!”

This is the second time the school has partnered with the municipality for this project.

“We believe it’s important for kids to have hands-on activities when it comes to history,” said North Grenville Historical Society Kid’s Club Coordinator Kerrie Kossatz. “The kids really enjoy it; we hope it continues for future years because we feel it’s important to bring the kids back to their roots.”