The setting for my new Amish romance, A Promise for Miriam, is a one room schoolhouse in southwestern Wisconsin. I loved visiting the area and walking through a few of those schoolrooms. So today I thought we’d have some fun and list Ten Things You’ll See In an Amish Schoolroom
- Chalk — yes, they still have chalkboards
- Books — sounds crazy to list this, but I have personally taught in schools where we only had computers, no actual books. Amish schools use BOOKS!
- Stove — one of those big iron black ones for heat
- Scripture — there ‘s usually one verse listed on the board or tacked to the wall for a simple morning devotion
- Handwriting chart — do you remember those?
- Desks — the old fashioned kind, some even have the type where the top of the desk lifts up and you can store things inside.
- Coat room or coat hooks — there’s an area for coats, etc. since there are no lockers!
- Jug of water — think about it. There are no coke machines. There’s not even a water fountain, but one schoolhouse I visited did have a big jug of water for students.
- Bell – as in a bell for the teacher to ring (since there are no electronic bells calling students to class)
- Golden Rule – one school I visited also had the Golden Rule posted on the wall. As a teacher, I agree that if this rule were followed it’s probably the only rule you need. “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you!”
I learned a lot while researching Amish schools, and I’d love to give away a copy of A Promise for Miriam today. If you’d like to receive a copy, leave a comment below and tell me — what is one thing you remember seeing in your classroom when you were in grade school?
About the Book
Amish schoolteacher Miriam King loves her students. At 26, most women her age are married with children of their own, but she hasn’t yet met anyone who can convince her to give up the Plain school that sits along the banks of Pebble Creek. Then newcomer Gabriel Miller steps into her life, bringing his daughter, an air of mystery, and challenges Miriam has never faced before.
Buy Links:
http://harvesthousepublishers.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/
ISBN
ISBN 13-978073694612
About the Author
Vannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace. She has published over one hundred articles in Christian family magazines, receiving more than two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. She discovered her love for the Amish while researching her grandfather’s birthplace of Albion, Pennsylvania. Her first novel, A Simple Amish Christmas, quickly became a bestseller. She now writes Amish fiction for Abingdon Press, Zondervan, and Harvest House. Chapman lives in the Texas hill country with her husband.
For more information, visit her at
webpage — www.VannettaChapman.com
blog — http://vannettachapman.
facebook — www.facebook.com/
pinterest — http://pinterest.com/
Thank you so much Vannetta for sharing this with us today. I enjoyed A Promise for Miriam immensely and just know it is going to be a big hit! Whoever wins is in for a real treat. Good luck to all!
*Reminder – don’t forget to like and share on Facebook*
*Giveaway begins today – June 27 and ends on Sunday – July 1*
81 thoughts on “Guest Post and Giveaway with Vannetta Chapman”
I always remember the bookcase with books!!!! I always loved to read!!!!!!
Sure hope I win!!!!!!
Thank you!!!!!
I attended a 2 room school. Grades 1-4 were in one room and 5-8 in the other. We were so encouraged to LEARN, if someone struggled, they got help from a teacher who took the time or from peers.
When I hear the “no child left behind” statement, that small school and what it taught is what comes to my mind.
Each child was treated as an individual, and all of us learned the value of education, our records on high school honor rolls were I was later told, ‘unbelievable’ compared to the larger classes we joined there.
The teacher! There really wasn’t much in the classroom that I remember.
Would love to win Vannetta’s new book.
One memory that I have is the chalkboard–and on fridays two of us would take the erasers outside to beat them i.e. to try to get all the chalk out of them as we could so they would be ready for another week. We took turns doing this.
Another memory is the copy room…where the teacher made copies of tests, etc. The writing was always purple and the smell of that room was unique. We also called it the “mimeograph room”.
The globe and the pull down maps. I was always fascinated by the maps and ended up working for a major airline for 20 years where I got to travel for free and see that world in person 🙂
The school I attended had desks just like in the picture above. Special memories: the smell of crayons as I entered the classroom!
I remember the maps that pull down on the walls. I would love to win a copy of her book. I share this contest on my Face book page.
Oh, now you all are helping ME remember things … like that CHALK HOLDER my little 5th grade teacher used. She was the sweetest thing. : )
I remember the flag. All the classrooms had an American Flag hanging on the wall.
The old desks like pictured above. I love to read Amish books!!! I’d love to win,too!!!
I remember the pull down map of the world. Thanks for the giveaway.
I was going to say the same thing as Cheryl (above) – the American flag, and saying the Pledge of Allegiance every day. I also remember the film projector and how excited everyone got when the teacher walked in with that. 🙂
I remember the overhead projector. The teacher would write on it so you could see things better. I would love to win. I love Vannetta’s books
I went to elementary school in an old high school built in the 40’s. We had lockers for our belongings. When I started to teach, we had coat areas with hooks which seemed bizarre to me at 22. My best memory is of the sparkling clean chalkboards. When I went to a new middle school 12 years ago there were no chalkboards in my room. I bugged the principal until I got a huge one across the front of my classroom. And, it always sparkles. I use the Smartboard, but even the kids prefer the chalkboard!!
I remember 2 grades in each class. Best school there every was when it closed it turned into a church. I love all of Vannetta’s books well really all books and stories on the Amish. I think we could all learn something from them. We just need to put GOD first and not have all the fancy stuff we think we need.
I remember all the oocytes or paper the teacher put all over the room, encouraging the students to do well so your paper would be on the wall. I’m new at reading so ri don’t know all the authors. I will have my husband gio on the internet to check out the older books from author Vannetta Chapman. I get the newer books from the library , we are on a fixed income so I can’t afford the newer ones. Looking toward into getting your books.
Didn’t check for spelling, I remember the art pictures and papers hang up because the student did excellent work and every student had there art work posted.
I remember the alphabet chart running along the length of the wall. Loved school!
we had the US flag and said the pledge every day and we read the Bible in school and memorized scripture until I was in 2nd grade and then that was stopped!
I remember the alphabet chart on top of the chalkboard. Thank you for a chance to win.
I remember that my desk had a little well in it that would hold pencils. Also, we stood up every morning for the Pledge of Allegiance and a Prayer after the pledge. Oh, the good old days!
Would love to win a copy of, A Promise for Miriam.
Blessings!
Judy
judyjohn2004(at)yahoo(dot)com
I would love to win a copy of Vannette’s book. I am a hugh fan.
Debra B. – [email protected]
I remember the alphabet being above the chalk board.
[email protected]
I remember number lines..I stunk at math and still do but i remember those numberlines.I also remember learning to read with Dick,Jane, Sally and Spot..fond memories of a simpliar time..
I remember the big chalkboards behind the teachers desk and how nice her handwriting was when she wrote on it — never could master that myself.
Our classrooms seem kind of bare; compared to what I have seen
with our children’s classrooms. What always stood out to me as
a child in school, was the map of the world!
Many thanks, Cindi
I am in my seventies now, and I remember going to a one-room schoolhouse through eight grade. I remember reading every book I could get my hands on.
I remember the chalk holder for the chalk, and the erasers.
An overhead projector seems like every class had one.
I remember the old wood and metal desks that we had. They were older than the ones in the picture. They were bolted to the wood and had lovely scroll wood on the signs and an inkwell on the left part of the top. We used pens that had metal nibs? and dipped them in the inkwell. You could write about three words with that. Later on, our teach introduced us to ball point pens that were in the same shape as the ones with the metal nibs but they could writer for so long!
i remember the chalkboard and chalk eraser. we would get to go outside and clean the chalk erasers
I love Vannetta’s book and would love to win her book. If I ever get two, then my Library always needs some good Amish books! Maxie ( [email protected] )
The desk they were just like the ones in your pic. I hope that I win your book.
I liked and shared on fb.
The one thing I vividly remember seeing when I was in grade school was row upon row of desks just like the ones in your picture, all with the alphabet taped to the top of the desk under the pencil holder so we could learn cursive. And now they don’t even teach it!
My most memorable of elementary years was that every room in the elementary building had the United States flag in it.
All of us students said “The Pledge of Allegiance” every morning facing the flag with our right hand over our heart.
Now it seems all of this has been forgotten.
Love the cover of the book by the way.
shared on FB
I remember we had desk that had an enclosed shelf underneath the seat to keep your books in and everyone was assigned their own seat! I enjoyed reading about the things in an Amish classroom!! I would love to enter and win! Thank you so much for the chance!!!!
The alphabet above the chalkboards. Whatever grade I was in… it was in grade-appropriate writing on cards and posted above the chalkboard for all to see.
This school room looks a lot like the one I went to. So many good memories and perhaps a few bad ones too. I visited the very setting of this new book Vannetta has out. Would be exciting to read it now!
Oh, I love your comments! You’re reminding me of a lot of things. Would you believe that classrooms – at least in Texas – still have an American flag (and a Texas flag). Also, we still say the pledge every day. So some things stay the same.
Also, I had been teaching in Dallas for years, with smart board and computers, etc. Then I moved to the country, and guess what? We had a CHALK board again. It was funny. Cleaning that board every week was a hoot! I loved it.
The stack of square pieces of carpet for our use when we were to sit on the floor to listen to the teacher during a story, or presentation!
What a great blog topic!!
Thanks for the chance to win!
Allyson
I remember the prize box! It was always such a big deal to get a prize for good behavior or some other accomplishment:) Thanks for the memories everyone!!
I can’t wait to read this book. The Amish schools have always taught the good ole way and continue to do so. One room schooling is a wonderful way to learn! I have a one room homeschool:-)
I hope I win!!
Heidi
Oooh! Pick me! Pick me! Hah – to Heidi! SO many more one-room schools popping up!
I remember the chalk and the erasers.
Thanks for the opportunity to win.
Jane
I remember the flag being there
I began elementary school in a small Wisconsin town. We had a cloakroom with varnished wainscoting and hooks to hang our coats. We had individual desks and stood up next to our desk when we answered questions. The second/third grade was combined in one classroom. My teacher was the principal’s wife. I remember doing penmanship on the lined paper with the dotted line in-between two solid lines. I too remember Dick and Jane, Sally, Spot the dog, Puff the cat, Mother, and Father. I loved the pictures. “Run Spot, run. Run, run, run.”
I would love to win this book. I remember all the plants my teacher had growing in the room on top of the bookcases. My mother did not have houseplants or bookcases. I have the plants and books in my home today thanks to my favorite teacher.
The first thing that comes to mind has to be the chalkboard. Oh and those cubby holes where we put our belongings.
The things I remember are the old purple ditto machines, the pull down maps and the reel to reel movie projectors. I am now principal at the school I attended as a child and we have 37 students in our K-5 school so we are almost like an Amish school. We have grade configurations of K/1, 2/3 and 4/5.
Oh this takes me back in time. This may sound silly but I remember the pull down maps and the stick that had a rubber tip on it used for the maps and also the chalkboard. I always wanted one of the sticks when we played school. Silly but a great memory. I would love to win A Promise for Miriam. I even went to school with a girl named Miriam.
I loved school as a child, and thought that I might grow up to be a teacher, however that didn’t happen, but I have carried fond memories of school. The one thing I remember is the chalkholder that would hold 5 pieces of chalk and would make a “line” for the teacher to teach us how to write, as well as remembering the banner that stretched across the board with the alphabet.
Thanks for the chance to win this book. Would love to read it. Actually it’s on my wish list. 🙂
Blessings,
Cindy
cindybazzy [at] gmail [dot] com
These are great! Someone mentioned ink.wells in desks. My grandfather used to tell of getting in trouble for putting the girl.s braid — who sat in front of him — in the ink well of his desk.
I guess boys were mischievous even then! 🙂
Above the chalkboard they always had the alphabet in print and in cursive, it was green and had 2 solid lines with the dotted line in the middle so you would know how tall the letters were.
I loved school when i was a kid…I remember the teacher…Mrs. Fetters…..a very nice teacher…..lots of kids in the classroom. the blackboard seems soo big….loved the big alphabet numbers that were poated on the bullentin board…….loved using the chalk and erasers……and I would love a chance to win Vannetta Chapman’s new book….’A Promise For Miriam’……I have shared on facebook and twitter………………
I remember the chalkboards, the one room & the desks like in your picture as well as the open-fronted desks. Sure brought back great memories. Thank you so much. Leona.
I always loved the globe and pull down maps also! I would imagine all the places and what kind of people lived there. Also the penmanship letters at the top of the chalk board, I always tried so hard to make my letters look just like those 🙂 Still do as a matter of fact.
I will always remember the desks, for two reasons one they were the ones where the top came up and you would put your stuff inside and two when the alarm sounded (during air raid drills)we were expected to kneel down under the desks with our hands clutched around our heads and necks.
chalk the smell of chalk.
I remember the teacher’s pointer stick for the black board!!!!
I Do remember the chalkboard, had to clean it at times, that was fun.
I remember the Principal talking on the speaker saying good morning and we all standing to say The Pledge of Allegiance. I wonder if they still say The Pledge of Allegiance in school now.
Always loved the globe too! & watching movies from the projector on the white screen.. 🙂
Love the desks and the books hope l win
I remember all the writing on the desk and the ink well,I love to win one of your books,Vanntha
I loved the smell of the “ditto” hand outs from the teacher! If only Calvin Klein could bottle that smell in one of his fragrances! LOL
I remember feeling how smooth the plump black felt eraser’s were when I got my turn to erase the chalk board. 🙂
I am 70 amd wemt to a small country school through the 8th grade. Each classroom had two grades. We always read scripture and prayed first thing even in high school we had devotions and prayer on the speaker. I remeber that all the first grade books we Jack and Sally books. There were bullies back then too but they didn’t last long because the teacher used the paddle, Also when starting high school girls had to wear dresses. Thanks for the chance to WIN!
I remember my teacher, Miss Mary Ellen Zimmerman, who taught outstanding classes in both English and math. We really learned from her. She insisted on our complete attention. She was dedicated to teaching all of us everything she knew we needed. When I moved on to high school, my English teacher asked me who taught me previously, as he could tell they had given their best. I think of her to this day, and I have not seen her in over 50 years. Thank you, Miss Zimmmerman.
My 3-room schoolhouse was the best beginning to an education I can imagine. I can still smell the chalk, see my loving K-2nd grade teacher’s smile, the penmanship examples hanging above the blackboard. I could go on for a very long time with all of the wonderful memories from those early days. Thank you for featuring Vannetta and her newest release. I’d love to win a copy of her book.
Nancee
quiltcat26[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
I shared on FB.
I had a teacher who used to roller-skate to school, change her clothes and brush her teeth in the classroom when no one was around. It seems everybody had her for a teacher – myself, my husband, my sister, sister-in-laws, brother-in-laws and friends.
She passed away on June 4 at the age of 90.
kazloves2read(at)gmail(dot)com
I wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember. I went to a school were we had tables for desks and a well underneath for our pencils, erasers, books etc. There were two per table. I always loved it when I could get permission from my parents to stay after school and erase the board and sharpen the pencils. I have very fond memeories of most of my elementary school teachers. I hope I am one of the winners.
Loved the smell of the chalk and the feel of the books when I was in school. My kids don’t even know what a chalk board is. Their school has smart boards and dry erase books. How are they suppose to clean the erasers when they got in trouble LOL??!!
Hi Vanetta,
I am excited about your new book. It must be so interesting learning so much when you are doing your research.
The thing that I remember about grade school is the chalkboards and erasers. I know they do not use them anymore~~all whiteboards and markers!! (and maybe smartboards too??) I remember having to calculate all math problems on paper. And boy, we did have to memorize those multiplication tables. I also remember recess;-)( And, fun class trips~~ to amusement parks and such. Those days are long gone. LOL) I am not sure if boys and girls get recess time anymore.
I have one question Vannetta, do you really read every response here??? Just curious.
Blessings and have a great day!!!
Kristin J.
The American Flag, the globe, and the teacher’s desk. I would love to win this book, love to read about the Amish people and their simple life. Thank you for all your awesome contest. Blessings to you Marilyn.
I shared on Facebook.
I want to thank everyone for commenting, and for sharing your memories!
Kristin, I DO read all the comments. I love hearing your answers to questions. It helps me know what to write about – and blog about. Thanks for asking!
Love your Books . I went to a country school. Two classes to a room. wouldn’t trade that experince for anything!