Flash Cards

Instructive playing cards were made in England from the early 1700s. Card playing was frowned upon in most Victorian schoolrooms, but special instructive cards found a place in some schools. By the twentieth century, flash cards were used to relieve the monotony of drill in arithmetic. Sometimes, they were carefully graduated to accommodate the increasing skills of children. In the 1960s, advocates of educational reform encouraged students to think more abstractly, reworking the presentation used in flash cards to meet the standards of the “New Math” of that era.

In the early twentieth century, progressive educators sought more efficient ways to teach arithmetic. Some used flash cards. This is set of flash cards for arithmetic drill. Each of the sixty numbered cards has eight multiplication problems written on it.
Description
In the early twentieth century, progressive educators sought more efficient ways to teach arithmetic. Some used flash cards. This is set of flash cards for arithmetic drill. Each of the sixty numbered cards has eight multiplication problems written on it. The first six problems on each card concern multiplying two 3-digit numbers; the last two show the product of a three-digit and a four-digit number. This is the tenth in a group of 13 drill sets intended for students in grades three through eight. It was designed for fifth graders.
The cards fit in a cardboard box along with two leaflets. The first lists the drill sets for each grade, and describes checking procedures for students and teachers. The second describes which cards were to be used which day of the week for how long in various grades.
According to the box, the cards were “A systematic, economical and thorough arrangement of numbers for acquiring accuracy and rapidity in the fundamental operations.” This set sold for sixty cents and was distributed by J. L. Hammett Company of Newark, N. J. and Cambridge, Ma. One leaflet has copyright date 1915, the other 1934. William Silas Maxson (1867-1937) worked as principal of schools in Somerset, Ky.; Chicago, Ill.; and the following towns in New York: Alfred, Yonkers, Sackets Harbor and White Plains. He retired in 1926 from a White Plains elementary school. A 1917 textbook mentions the cards.
Referencs:
Louis W, Rapeer, ed., Teaching Elementary School Subjects, New York: Scribners, 1917, pp. 26, 31.
]New York Times, August 19, 1937, p. 20.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1934
maker
J. L. Hammett Co.
ID Number
2009.0017.91
accession number
2009.0017
catalog number
2009.0017.91
This toy is designed to teach preschool children letters and numbers. The set includes nine cards for digits and 26 cards for letters of the alphabet.
Description
This toy is designed to teach preschool children letters and numbers. The set includes nine cards for digits and 26 cards for letters of the alphabet. The top of each card shows either a number written out in letters and a corresponding number of objects (e.g., the number "ONE" and one pencil) or a capital letter and a familiar object whose name begins with that letter (e.g., B and a blackboard). On the lower part of the card are a scattered array of either digits (e.g., 1, 3, 7) or small letters (e.g., b, m, d). A red plastic stand with an array of holes in it fits over the bottom of a card. It reveals only the digit or letter that corresponds to the picture above.
A mark on the remnant of the cover of the box reads: ASSORTED PICTURE FLASH CARDS. A second mark reads: No. 301. A third mark reads: BAR-ZIM MANUFACTURING CO., JERSEY CITY, N.J. A fourth mark reads: U.S. PAT. NO. 2,971,268. Individual cards are marked: THE (/) ROMPER (/) ROOM.
The design of the cards is based on a patent of Harry Zimmerman of New York, N.Y., (#2,971,268, applied for December 29, 1959, and granted February 14, 1961).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1961
maker
Bar-Zim Toy Manufacturers
ID Number
2005.0055.10
catalog number
2005.0055.10
accession number
2005.0055
From the 1950s, particularly after the launch of the Sputnik satellite in 1958, American mathematicians and mathematics educators introduced a variety of reforms in mathematics teaching dubbed “The New Math.” This set of flash cards reflects the way of presenting subtraction prob
Description
From the 1950s, particularly after the launch of the Sputnik satellite in 1958, American mathematicians and mathematics educators introduced a variety of reforms in mathematics teaching dubbed “The New Math.” This set of flash cards reflects the way of presenting subtraction problems that emerged.
The set consists of fifty cards, printed with subtraction problems on each side. The problems are written crosswise, with a box for the answer. The solution is printed in red in the upper left corner on the back. Another card lists basic subtraction facts (vertically), and three cards give work sheets and directions.
A mark on the paper box reads: MILTON BRADLEY (/) NEW MATH (/) FLASH CARDS (/) SUBTRACTION. Another mark reads: [copyright] 1965. A third mark reads: 4592.
These and several other sets of flash cards were donated by elementary school teacher Marjorie A. Naidorf.
Compare 2005.0055.06, 2005.0055.07, 2005.0055.08, and 2005.0055.09.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1965
maker
Milton Bradley Company
ID Number
2005.0055.06
catalog number
2005.0055.06
accession number
2005.0055
From the 1950s, particularly after the launch of the Soviet Sputnik satellite in 1958, American mathematicians and mathematics educators introduced a variety of reforms in mathematics teaching that went under the name “The New Math.” This set of flash cards reflects the way of pr
Description
From the 1950s, particularly after the launch of the Soviet Sputnik satellite in 1958, American mathematicians and mathematics educators introduced a variety of reforms in mathematics teaching that went under the name “The New Math.” This set of flash cards reflects the way of presenting addition problems that emerged.
The set includes 50 cards showing sums of one digit numbers. A sum is written out horizontally on each side of each card. The sides are numbered from 1 to 50 on one side and from 50 to 100 on the other. A "sliding number cover" fits over a card to cover one term in the "number sentence." The child is to figure out the answer. A window in the back of the cover reveals the correct answer written on the back of the card. In addition to these cards, there is a card listing "Basic Addition Facts" (written vertically, with answers) and "Basic Addition Combinations" (written vertically, without answers). Four cards give tips and instructions for teachers and parents.
A mark on the top of the box reads: NEW MATH (/) ADDITION (/) FLASH CARDS. A second mark reads: ED-U-CARDS. Another mark reads: [copyright]1966 ED-U-CARDS MFG. CORP., L.I.C., N.Y.
Compare 2005.0055.06, 2005.0055.07, 2005.0055.08, and 2005.0055.09.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1966
maker
Ed-U-Cards Manufacturing Corporation
ID Number
2005.0055.08
catalog number
2005.0055.08
accession number
2005.0055
From the 1950s, particularly after the launch of the Sputnik satellite in 1958, American mathematicians and mathematics educators introduced a variety of reforms in mathematics teaching dubbed “The New Math.” This set of flash cards reflects the way of presenting addition and sub
Description
From the 1950s, particularly after the launch of the Sputnik satellite in 1958, American mathematicians and mathematics educators introduced a variety of reforms in mathematics teaching dubbed “The New Math.” This set of flash cards reflects the way of presenting addition and subtraction problems that emerged.
The set consists of flash cards showing sums written out horizontally on one side and differences written out horizontally on the other. A blank square indicates where the answer is to go. The cards are numbered from 1 to 81, with several missing and some duplicates. One unnumbered card may be card one. The cards are cut off at one corner, like punch cards. Another card lists on one side "Basic Addition Facts" for sums as large as 9 + 9, and "Basic Subtraction Facts" on the reverse side. Two further cards provide explanation.
An explanation card for a similar set of flash cards for teaching multiplication and division is included, but none of these cards. Seven further cards, apparently from another set, give sums and differences written vertically.
A mark on the cardboard box holding the cards reads: MILTON BRADLEY COMPANY (/) SPRINGFIELD (/) MASSACHUSETTS. Another mark reads: NEW MATH(/)FLASH CARDS. Another mark reads: ADDITION-SUBTRACTION. A further mark reads: [copyright] 1965. The set has the maker’s number: 7020.
Compare 2005.0055.06, 2005.0055.07, 2005.0055.08, and 2005.0055.09.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1965
date received
2003
maker
Milton Bradley Company
ID Number
2005.0055.07
catalog number
2005.0055.07
accession number
2005.0055
From the 1950s, particularly after the launch of the Sputnik satellite in 1958, American mathematicians and mathematics educators introduced a variety of reforms in mathematics teaching dubbed “The New Math.” This set of flash cards reflects the way of presenting arithmetic probl
Description
From the 1950s, particularly after the launch of the Sputnik satellite in 1958, American mathematicians and mathematics educators introduced a variety of reforms in mathematics teaching dubbed “The New Math.” This set of flash cards reflects the way of presenting arithmetic problems that emerged.
The set consists of 50 flash cards showing products of one-digit numbers. A product is written out horizontally on each side of each card. The sides are numbered from 1 to 50 on one side and from 50 to 100 on the other. A "sliding number cover" fits over a card to cover one term in the "number sentence." The child is to figure out the answer. A window in the back of the cover reveals the correct answer written on the back of the card. In addition to these cards, there is a card listing "Basic Multiplication Facts" (written vertically, with answers) and "Basic Multiplication Combinations" (written vertically, without answers). Four cards give tips and instructions for teachers and parents.
A mark on the cardboard box holding the flash cards reads: NEW MATH (/) MULTIPLICATION (/) FLASH CARDS. Another mark reads: [copyright]1966 ED-U-CARDS MFG. CORP., L.I.C., N.Y. A third mark reads: No. 263.
Compare 2005.0055.06, 2005.0055.07, 2005.0055.08, and 2005.0055.09.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1966
maker
Ed-U-Cards Manufacturing Corporation
ID Number
2005.0055.09
accession number
2005.0055
catalog number
2005.0055.09

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