Subject: How much of this have you math teachers got hoarded away?

Date: Sat Aug 22 14:55:34 2020
User: TNmountainman
Message:
Couldn't really find a good thread to put this in, and almost put it in the "Stream of Consciousness" thread, but somehow this just seemed better......... Longhorn doesn't seem to be around anymore, but there were several here who engaged in this art, especially including james. I haven't used a chalkboard to teach in about 4 eons.

Link: Who knew chalk could be so qualitative?

Date: Sat Aug 22 15:17:56 2020
User: ejchap
Message:
I taught math at a local high school for 49 years. I now teach teachers how to teach math at a local college. I have one small box of chalk, which has 4 small pieces left in it, just in case I go to a school that uses it. I haven't used it in 13 years. ejchap

Date: Sat Aug 22 22:20:49 2020
User: jamesblackburn-lynch
Message:
Yeah, that stuff is famous. But we are all whiteboards now. So, I’m all about finding the best dry erase markers and finding the most efficient way to clean well. James

Date: Sat Aug 22 22:42:38 2020
User: outskirts
Message:
I have dustless chalk I use for drawing on fabric and sometimes other surfaces. I sharpen it into a wedge, using a razor blade.

Date: Sun Aug 23 10:57:41 2020
User: hotnurse
Message:
I remember when the teacher's pet got to stay after school and clean the blackboards with that spray stuff that smelled almost as good as the mimeograph papers. I never got to do that enviable job. Seemed more like punishment than fun to me.

Date: Sun Aug 23 12:44:03 2020
User: TNmountainman
Message:
Chalk for drawing on fabric? I can't quite grasp that. Maybe my mind is too narrowly thinking of "fabric". Maybe you could post a pic?

Date: Sun Aug 23 13:29:51 2020
User: joeygray
Message:
Dressmakers use that dustless chalk to mark their cuts, that’s probly what she meant. I first typed ‘seamstresses’ but it would do to invite sexism charges would it.

Date: Sun Aug 23 13:42:22 2020
User: outskirts
Message:
I paint. But first i may sketch a few lines to go by It's called layout I also sew and use it in sewing But I will paint on any surface and some surfaces call for chalk Plus, charcoal is messy And it also depends on color

Date: Sun Aug 23 13:57:15 2020
User: BuzzClik
Message:
ORIGINAL SUBJECT: Back in the day of blackboards, the brand of chalk was the key to happiness. Hard chalks were dustless but often screeched when moved across the board. The really hard chalks often left semi-permanent marks that required frequent washing. The super soft chalks left dust everywhere. Your clothing was always a mess, and your hands became a biohazard. These chalks often left an ever-increasing haze on the board, eventually making the newest chalk writing nearly impossible to see until the board was washed. Getting a just-right box of chalk was a Goldilocks moment of pure euphoria. If I "lived" in the classroom, like high school teachers, the brand of chalk would have been very meaningful. THE FABRIC CHALK TANGENT: A friend of the family was a multi-talented lady who was a pianist, soloist at a number of churches, and all-around artist. But, she made her money sewing dresses. She handled the bridesmaid dresses for two of my sisters' weddings. She used a thin triangular-shaped chalk (like a huge guitar pick) that came in many colors to allow choosing a color that would contrast to the fabric. My sister worked in a "formal wear" shop when she was in high school, the kind that generally specialized in tuxedo rentals for weddings and high school proms. The shop owner also was a tailor, making high-end custom suits. His choice of fabric marker was similar to the dressmaker's guitar pick, but his was a waxy material. I searched this out to make sure my memory wasn't flawed. There are lots of options:

Link: https://thesewingloftblog.com/different-types-marking-tools/

Date: Sun Aug 23 14:36:34 2020
User: TNmountainman
Message:
Ok, thanks, Buzz. Learnt something. Now I know why I'm not very good at dress-making. I'm pretty sure now the next formal I need to go to, I'll be better prepared to create that perfect outfit. However.........I fear I'll still need work on correctly accessorizing. Always a stumbling block.

Link: tailor's chalk