Unfortunately, I can't remember which day it was. But one day each week, we received a delightful little four-page read in school: My Weekly Reader.
Thanks to this fascinating little periodical, I knew the names of every astronaut who went into space between 1969 and 1972. In fourth grade, our teacher made us memorize them, and I kept doing so for years afterwards. My Weekly Reader would prominently trumpet their triumphs, even with the later moon missions that the public lost interest in.
Then again, there was Peanut and Jocko. The monkey and elephant would crack wise and further inspire class clowns like myself.
The idea behind MWR was that you would study them on your own, then discuss them in class. It was more like fun than work.
In researching this piece, I learned that the familiar flyer was first produced way back in 1928 by Eleanor M. Johnson, who died in 1987. So it's far more than a Boomer tradition. In fact, it's still going strong today! Even Peanut and Jocko are continuing to inspire the next generations of class clowns.
Here's to Eleanor, who found a way to inject a little fun into an otherwise humdrum school day, and made you learn something in the process.
Comments (8)
The Weekly Reader is one of the more pleasant memories I have of elementary school (and later "Jr. Scholastic" in Jr High). I believe we received ours on Fridays but my memory may not be correct. The four pages of newsprint were something I always looked forward to and introduced me to the rest of the world. It would fun for me to look through issues printed between 1959 and 1964.
Posted by DUANE DOWNER | October 16, 2007 1:19 PM
Posted on October 16, 2007 13:19
I think of My Weekly Reader very often, especially Peanut and Jocko. It was, for sure, the breath of fresh air for my grades 1 through 5 experience at R. Vickery Elementary in Ft. Worth (1943-l949. So, imagine my pleasure at finding this site today, and knowing there are other kindred spirits who have warm and positive feeling about the "good ol* things from the good ol* days)!!!!!!
Posted by Joe Gibson | November 17, 2008 10:53 AM
Posted on November 17, 2008 10:53
ANYONE LIKE TO BUYOLD WEEKLY READERS
Posted by LEE CAMP | December 14, 2008 12:27 PM
Posted on December 14, 2008 12:27
Do you have any from the 50s and 60s?
Posted by Paula | May 4, 2009 11:05 AM
Posted on May 4, 2009 11:05
I am sorry to say I don't remember this? But I can't say we didn't have them in grade school, but my memory isn't that good! But it sure sounds like something that our school might have had. I guess I was to busy digging caverned in the back edge of my wooden desk! We were distructive!
Posted by Rivers End | May 25, 2009 11:23 PM
Posted on May 25, 2009 23:23
i couldnt wait to get this in school. i always loved to read,and this just inhanced my urge to read more.and there were intresting articles in there.
Posted by vera | February 1, 2010 9:10 AM
Posted on February 1, 2010 09:10
My wife just found her
My Weekly Reader that was a Special Memorial Issue that contains JFK's inaugural address.
It is Volume XXXIII
Issue 13A December 1963.
EXCELLANT CONDITION
She also found one that reads:
Our New President LBJ
Volume XXXIII
Issue 14 January 6-10 1964
GOOD CONDITION
Anyone interested in purchasing these two items?
Please contact me 314.799.7214
Thanks, David
Posted by David | February 8, 2010 5:48 PM
Posted on February 8, 2010 17:48
In 3rd or 4th grade in '62 to '64, Im in search of a short story that came with a sketch of a girl waltzing with a living statue,a love story.The statue came to life.The girl was found under the statue.The name & author unknown. If any of you might know this story back in grade school or have it somewhere,my email is potterbyran@yahoo.com.Im asking librarys around. Thanks
Posted by Byron Potter | February 9, 2010 2:46 PM
Posted on February 9, 2010 14:46