A one room school house
Firkin School was located on Highway 61 about halfway between Sparksville and Breeding, a one room white weatherboard building with windows on each side and one door in the end of the building. It sat upon a small hill beside the road near a abandoned rock quarry, with boys' and girls' outside toilets at each end of the schoolground. The teacher would stand at the door and ring the small bell for "books."

No ball diamonds or gymnasium
The classes would take up with the premier through the eight grade. There would be a break at mid-morning and mid-afternoon with a lunch period. Schools didnt have much to offer back then as recreation goes. No ball diamonds, no gym or even lunch or break rooms, just an opportunity to learn the basics with re-enforcements on the Three Rs. Games at recess were simple: Annie-Over, Hide and Seek, Washer Slide or Horse Shoe and Lot Ball Game, just to mention a few.

Back to the farm for more work
When the school let out for the day it was back to the farm for more work. First change into work clothes then out to the fields of whatever needed our attention, like hoeing corn or picking worms or topping tobacco, etc. Then later in the day start on the usual chores to be done. About dark it was time for the evening meal and everyone was always ready for the country food. No questions asked or time lost, just enjoy what was on the table.
_Carlis