Small Wonder: The Little Red Schoolhouse in History and Memory (Icons of America)

The little red schoolhouse has all but disappeared in the United States, but its importance in national memory remains unshakable. This engaging book examines the history of the one-room school and how successive generations of Americans have remembered—and just as often misremembered—this powerful national icon. Drawing on a rich range of sources, from firsthand accounts to poems, songs, and films, Jonathan Zimmerman traces the evolution of attitudes toward the little red schoolhouse from the late nineteenth century to the present day. At times it was celebrated as a symbol of lost rural virtues or America’s democratic heritage; at others it was denounced as the epitome of inefficiency and substandard academics. And because the one-room school has been a useful emblem for liberal, conservative, and other agendas, the truth of its history has sometimes been stretched. Yet the idyllic image of the schoolhouse still unites Americans. For more than a century, it has embodied the nation’s best aspirations and—especially—its continuing faith in education itself. (20081204) Today A Beloved National Icon, The One-room Schoolhouse Has Played A Variety Of Roles In America's Popular Memory. The Little Red Schoolhouse Has All But Disappeared In The United States, But Its Importance In National Memory Remains Unshakable. This Engaging Book Examines The History Of The One-room School And How Successive Generations Of Americans Have Remembered -- And Just As Often Misremembered -- This Powerful National Icon. Drawing On A Rich Range Of Sources, From Firsthand Accounts To Poems, Songs, And Films, Jonathan Zimmerman Traces The Evolution Of Attitudes Toward The Little Red Schoolhouse From The Late Nineteenth Century To The Present Day. At Times It Was Celebrated As A Symbol Of Lost Rural Virtues Or America's Democratic Heritage; At Others It Was Denounced As The Epitome Of Inefficiency And Substandard Academics. And Because The One-room School Has Been A Useful Emblem For Liberal, Conservative, And Other Agendas, The Truth Of Its History Has Sometimes Been Stretched. Yet The Idyllic Image Of The Schoolhouse Still Unites Americans. For More Than A Century, It Has Embodied The Nation's Best Aspirations And -- Especially -- Its Continuing Faith In Education Itself--front Flap. Pt. 1. History -- The One-room Schoolhouse As History -- Pt. 2. Memory -- Sentiment And Its Critics -- From Poverty To Democracy -- Open Classroom Or Back To Basics? -- Dear Old Golden Rule Days? Jonathan Zimmerman. Series From Jacket. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Contents......Page 8 Illustrations......Page 110 Acknowledgments......Page 10 Introduction......Page 14 I: HISTORY......Page 24 One: The One-Room Schoolhouse as History......Page 28 II: MEMORY......Page 66 Two: Sentiment and Its Critics......Page 70 Three: From Poverty to Democracy......Page 120 Four: Open Classroom or Back to Basics?......Page 155 Conclusion: Dear Old Golden Rule Days?......Page 192 Notes......Page 208 B......Page 242 C......Page 243 D......Page 244 F......Page 245 I......Page 246 L......Page 247 M......Page 249 N......Page 250 O......Page 251 P......Page 252 S......Page 253 U......Page 255 Y......Page 256