Are you smarter than a 3rd grader?  How about a 3rd grader from 1908?  

Step back in time with this beautifully preserved school booklet, written in 1908 by James J. Burns, a third-grade student at St. Mary’s School in Camden, New Jersey. Carefully photographed and thoughtfully presented in its original order, this charming collection offers a rare glimpse into early 20th-century education, complete with the careful penmanship, charming illustrations, and sincere curiosity of a young learner

This remarkable piece of history was generously shared with us by Jerry Carnicella, who donated the images so that others might experience and appreciate the world of a student more than a century ago. We are honored to preserve and showcase James’s work as a tribute to the enduring spirit of childhood learning.

Ready to explore? Turn the pages below and take a journey back to a classroom from 1908.

Digitized and presented by the National Museum of Education. Courtesy of Jerry Carnicella.