Historical information

Slates slate pencils were mostly used in the junior grades of Australian schools. Teachers introduced pupils to slate writing at the same time as they began to read, learning to shape the letters as they began to understand their sounds and meaning. Slates disappeared slowly from the Australian classroom in the years following WWII due to the availability of paper however, they were still being used in QLD schools at the beginning of the 1960s. While it was often argued that slates and slate pencils were unhygienic, they were more practical in that they were easily cleaned, were non-absorbent and long lasting and slate pencils were considerably cheaper than lead pencils.

Physical description

5 Slate pencils of various lengths with two other broken pieces. Two with red and grey patterned paper with image of clenched hand at the top. One with red and white pattern with the clenched hand at top and another with red, blue pattern on white paper. One pencil has the name Kopislate Pencils in green print with green pattern at top and bottom of paper.

Inscriptions & markings

Kopislate Pencils Kopislate/Made in Australia