Classrooms today are vastly different from the ones we grew up in. The distinct smell of chalk dust, the library’s musty old books, and the hum of a busy classroom were all part of our school days. Now, many of the things we once considered normal are disappearing from modern schools. Some of these changes we might not miss, but others? They hold a special place in our hearts. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit 12 school traditions that are becoming a thing of the past.

1. Learning Baton Twirling

Back in the day, baton twirling was a staple of school band performances, games, and parades. While some schools still offer it, it’s becoming rarer. Today, girls who want to learn baton twirling usually turn to private gymnastics studios. With so many other activities available to young girls today, this once-popular sport is fading. But oh, how we miss those sparkling, sequined majorette costumes!

2. Morning Prayer

In many schools, especially Catholic ones, mornings used to start with a prayer. Whether it was chosen by the school or improvised by the teacher, it was a familiar part of the routine. Nowadays, schools are more focused on individuality and freedom, which is great, but it’s hard not to feel nostalgic for that sense of shared tradition.

3. Learning Cursive

Once a crucial skill, cursive writing is now practically extinct in many schools. Most kids today don’t even get the chance to learn it, and many young adults can only print. With the rise of computers and digital communication, handwriting skills took a backseat. While some argue that it’s no longer necessary, many of us feel a pang of sadness knowing that future generations may never learn the elegance of cursive writing.

4. Reading an Analog Clock

Learning to tell time on an analog clock was a rite of passage for many of us. But today’s kids often skip this step, as digital clocks have taken over. Back then, mastering the tick-tock of the school clock was essential, and we all remember anxiously watching the hands creep towards the end of the school day.

5. Library Due Date Stamps

The ritual of getting your library book stamped with a due date is now a thing of the past. Instead, barcodes and electronic checkouts are the norm. But there was something special about seeing those dates stamped inside your book, wondering who read it before you.

6. The Card Catalog

Before the internet made everything accessible with a click, we had the card catalog. You had to learn the Dewey Decimal System to find what you needed. It wasn’t always easy, but it was part of the charm of school libraries. Today, those wooden card catalog cabinets are antiques, fetching high prices as vintage furniture.

7. Brown Paper Bag Lunches

While some kids still carry brown paper bag lunches, they’re not as common as they once were. Back then, lunchboxes weren’t fancy, and most of us carried our sandwiches in a simple brown bag. The sound of rustling bags in the cafeteria is a memory that sticks with us.

8. Book Straps

Before backpacks became a must-have, book straps were the way to carry your textbooks. Sometimes, though, we didn’t even use the strap, choosing instead to carry our books in our arms. Simpler times, indeed.

9. DIY Book Covers

At the start of the school year, we’d be given textbooks with strict instructions to keep them in good condition. Many of our moms made protective book covers from brown paper bags. It was a fun, crafty way to personalize our books while keeping them neat for the next student.

10. Dodgeball

Ah, dodgeball—a game loved by some and dreaded by others. Unfortunately, it’s been phased out of many schools due to safety concerns. The risk of injury was always high, but the adrenaline rush and the chance to take aim at your friends made it all worthwhile. We’ll never forget the sting of a dodgeball to the face or the satisfaction of landing a perfect hit!

11. Writing on the Chalkboard as Punishment

Before whiteboards and projectors took over, classrooms had chalkboards, and writing on them was often used as punishment. Being made to write the same sentence over and over in front of the whole class was embarrassing enough, but having to clean the chalkboard afterward felt like a double punishment. Nowadays, this form of discipline is mostly a thing of the past.

12. The Weekly Reader

For many of us, The Weekly Reader was a classroom staple, keeping us updated on current events and new books. Sadly, the last issue was published in 2012, as digital media took over. We’ll never forget the smell of fresh ink on those pages or the excitement of flipping through the latest issue.

These school traditions may have faded, but the memories live on. While today’s classrooms are more advanced and accommodating, there’s something nostalgic about the way things used to be. From the smell of chalk dust to the feel of a brown paper book cover, these memories remind us of simpler times in education.