Historical information

Children used slates to practise writing letters and numbers. They sometimes used their slates to play games when not learning their lessons Early models of small, hand-held chalkboards were slates encased in a wood frame to keep the slate from breaking. Pencil and paper were available but paper was very expensive. Using a small, hand-held slate meant that a child could practise writing, erase and write again without having to consume expensive paper.

Significance

This item is an example of early educational equipment and can be compared to modern school equipment.

Physical description

A double-sided rectangular-shaped school slate with a wooden frame.

Inscriptions & markings

Chalk markings - number sentences. On frame-Made in Portugal