Top 30+ Things You Can’t Find In Schools Anymore, For Better Or For Worse

Dodgeball, Passing notes in class, Gel pens, SpaceMaker pencil boxes, Vintage chalk holders, Library check-out cards, Wall pencil sharpeners, Microsoft WordArt, AV carts, Trapper Keepers, Crayola Magic Scent crayons, Climbing rope in gym class, Cursive writing, Analog clocks, Paper cutters, Thermoses, Lisa Frank everything, Crayola Twistables crayons, Card catalogs, Projectors with plastic sheets, Metal lunchboxes, Mr. Sketch scented markers, Typing games, Pull Down Maps, Hard plastic lunch boxes, Chalkboards, Compasses and protractors, Traditional Desks, Gym Uniforms

Gen Z is growing up in a completely different time, making schools very different from how they were back in the day. Millennials, Gen X, and Boomers will definitely relate to these 30 things that have changed in schools."

Dodgeball

Dodgeball, Passing notes in class, Gel pens, SpaceMaker pencil boxes, Vintage chalk holders, Library check-out cards, Wall pencil sharpeners, Microsoft WordArt, AV carts, Trapper Keepers, Crayola Magic Scent crayons, Climbing rope in gym class, Cursive writing, Analog clocks, Paper cutters, Thermoses, Lisa Frank everything, Crayola Twistables crayons, Card catalogs, Projectors with plastic sheets, Metal lunchboxes, Mr. Sketch scented markers, Typing games, Pull Down Maps, Hard plastic lunch boxes, Chalkboards, Compasses and protractors, Traditional Desks, Gym Uniforms

Many schools banned it because it was an aggressive sport and didn’t “support a positive school climate”.

Passing notes in class

Dodgeball, Passing notes in class, Gel pens, SpaceMaker pencil boxes, Vintage chalk holders, Library check-out cards, Wall pencil sharpeners, Microsoft WordArt, AV carts, Trapper Keepers, Crayola Magic Scent crayons, Climbing rope in gym class, Cursive writing, Analog clocks, Paper cutters, Thermoses, Lisa Frank everything, Crayola Twistables crayons, Card catalogs, Projectors with plastic sheets, Metal lunchboxes, Mr. Sketch scented markers, Typing games, Pull Down Maps, Hard plastic lunch boxes, Chalkboards, Compasses and protractors, Traditional Desks, Gym Uniforms

Before texting, this was your chance to tell your friend about gossip you heard in the hallways.

Gel pens

Dodgeball, Passing notes in class, Gel pens, SpaceMaker pencil boxes, Vintage chalk holders, Library check-out cards, Wall pencil sharpeners, Microsoft WordArt, AV carts, Trapper Keepers, Crayola Magic Scent crayons, Climbing rope in gym class, Cursive writing, Analog clocks, Paper cutters, Thermoses, Lisa Frank everything, Crayola Twistables crayons, Card catalogs, Projectors with plastic sheets, Metal lunchboxes, Mr. Sketch scented markers, Typing games, Pull Down Maps, Hard plastic lunch boxes, Chalkboards, Compasses and protractors, Traditional Desks, Gym Uniforms

These were perfect for leaving secret admirer notes in lockers.

SpaceMaker pencil boxes

Dodgeball, Passing notes in class, Gel pens, SpaceMaker pencil boxes, Vintage chalk holders, Library check-out cards, Wall pencil sharpeners, Microsoft WordArt, AV carts, Trapper Keepers, Crayola Magic Scent crayons, Climbing rope in gym class, Cursive writing, Analog clocks, Paper cutters, Thermoses, Lisa Frank everything, Crayola Twistables crayons, Card catalogs, Projectors with plastic sheets, Metal lunchboxes, Mr. Sketch scented markers, Typing games, Pull Down Maps, Hard plastic lunch boxes, Chalkboards, Compasses and protractors, Traditional Desks, Gym Uniforms

This one was an easy way to keep your school supplies organized.

Vintage chalk holders

Dodgeball, Passing notes in class, Gel pens, SpaceMaker pencil boxes, Vintage chalk holders, Library check-out cards, Wall pencil sharpeners, Microsoft WordArt, AV carts, Trapper Keepers, Crayola Magic Scent crayons, Climbing rope in gym class, Cursive writing, Analog clocks, Paper cutters, Thermoses, Lisa Frank everything, Crayola Twistables crayons, Card catalogs, Projectors with plastic sheets, Metal lunchboxes, Mr. Sketch scented markers, Typing games, Pull Down Maps, Hard plastic lunch boxes, Chalkboards, Compasses and protractors, Traditional Desks, Gym Uniforms

This was a rockstar in music class when your teacher wanted to write out music on the chalkboard.

Library check-out cards

Dodgeball, Passing notes in class, Gel pens, SpaceMaker pencil boxes, Vintage chalk holders, Library check-out cards, Wall pencil sharpeners, Microsoft WordArt, AV carts, Trapper Keepers, Crayola Magic Scent crayons, Climbing rope in gym class, Cursive writing, Analog clocks, Paper cutters, Thermoses, Lisa Frank everything, Crayola Twistables crayons, Card catalogs, Projectors with plastic sheets, Metal lunchboxes, Mr. Sketch scented markers, Typing games, Pull Down Maps, Hard plastic lunch boxes, Chalkboards, Compasses and protractors, Traditional Desks, Gym Uniforms

These check-out cards gave you away because each book had them on its back with the names of everyone who had borrowed it from the library.

Wall pencil sharpeners

Dodgeball, Passing notes in class, Gel pens, SpaceMaker pencil boxes, Vintage chalk holders, Library check-out cards, Wall pencil sharpeners, Microsoft WordArt, AV carts, Trapper Keepers, Crayola Magic Scent crayons, Climbing rope in gym class, Cursive writing, Analog clocks, Paper cutters, Thermoses, Lisa Frank everything, Crayola Twistables crayons, Card catalogs, Projectors with plastic sheets, Metal lunchboxes, Mr. Sketch scented markers, Typing games, Pull Down Maps, Hard plastic lunch boxes, Chalkboards, Compasses and protractors, Traditional Desks, Gym Uniforms

Mechanical ones are way better. These ones were not trustworthy; you either got your pencil sharpened unevenly, or the metal part would detach and all the pencil shavings would spill on the floor.

Microsoft WordArt

Dodgeball, Passing notes in class, Gel pens, SpaceMaker pencil boxes, Vintage chalk holders, Library check-out cards, Wall pencil sharpeners, Microsoft WordArt, AV carts, Trapper Keepers, Crayola Magic Scent crayons, Climbing rope in gym class, Cursive writing, Analog clocks, Paper cutters, Thermoses, Lisa Frank everything, Crayola Twistables crayons, Card catalogs, Projectors with plastic sheets, Metal lunchboxes, Mr. Sketch scented markers, Typing games, Pull Down Maps, Hard plastic lunch boxes, Chalkboards, Compasses and protractors, Traditional Desks, Gym Uniforms

Before Canva existed, this was the go-to tool to create cool designs using different types of fonts.

AV carts

Dodgeball, Passing notes in class, Gel pens, SpaceMaker pencil boxes, Vintage chalk holders, Library check-out cards, Wall pencil sharpeners, Microsoft WordArt, AV carts, Trapper Keepers, Crayola Magic Scent crayons, Climbing rope in gym class, Cursive writing, Analog clocks, Paper cutters, Thermoses, Lisa Frank everything, Crayola Twistables crayons, Card catalogs, Projectors with plastic sheets, Metal lunchboxes, Mr. Sketch scented markers, Typing games, Pull Down Maps, Hard plastic lunch boxes, Chalkboards, Compasses and protractors, Traditional Desks, Gym Uniforms

The joy students used to feel when a substitute teacher rolled in an AV cart into the classroom can’t be found these days. Nothing was better than a movie day during class.

Trapper Keepers

Dodgeball, Passing notes in class, Gel pens, SpaceMaker pencil boxes, Vintage chalk holders, Library check-out cards, Wall pencil sharpeners, Microsoft WordArt, AV carts, Trapper Keepers, Crayola Magic Scent crayons, Climbing rope in gym class, Cursive writing, Analog clocks, Paper cutters, Thermoses, Lisa Frank everything, Crayola Twistables crayons, Card catalogs, Projectors with plastic sheets, Metal lunchboxes, Mr. Sketch scented markers, Typing games, Pull Down Maps, Hard plastic lunch boxes, Chalkboards, Compasses and protractors, Traditional Desks, Gym Uniforms

Instead of carrying an iPad, we had to carry all the notes written on pieces of paper or notebooks, and this was the way to do it in an organized way.

Crayola Magic Scent crayons

Dodgeball, Passing notes in class, Gel pens, SpaceMaker pencil boxes, Vintage chalk holders, Library check-out cards, Wall pencil sharpeners, Microsoft WordArt, AV carts, Trapper Keepers, Crayola Magic Scent crayons, Climbing rope in gym class, Cursive writing, Analog clocks, Paper cutters, Thermoses, Lisa Frank everything, Crayola Twistables crayons, Card catalogs, Projectors with plastic sheets, Metal lunchboxes, Mr. Sketch scented markers, Typing games, Pull Down Maps, Hard plastic lunch boxes, Chalkboards, Compasses and protractors, Traditional Desks, Gym Uniforms

These are now considered collectibles, but were once the coolest school supply ever.

Climbing rope in gym class

Dodgeball, Passing notes in class, Gel pens, SpaceMaker pencil boxes, Vintage chalk holders, Library check-out cards, Wall pencil sharpeners, Microsoft WordArt, AV carts, Trapper Keepers, Crayola Magic Scent crayons, Climbing rope in gym class, Cursive writing, Analog clocks, Paper cutters, Thermoses, Lisa Frank everything, Crayola Twistables crayons, Card catalogs, Projectors with plastic sheets, Metal lunchboxes, Mr. Sketch scented markers, Typing games, Pull Down Maps, Hard plastic lunch boxes, Chalkboards, Compasses and protractors, Traditional Desks, Gym Uniforms

Luckily, this is not a thing anymore. If you were not the athletic type, this would’ve been your nightmare.

Cursive writing

Dodgeball, Passing notes in class, Gel pens, SpaceMaker pencil boxes, Vintage chalk holders, Library check-out cards, Wall pencil sharpeners, Microsoft WordArt, AV carts, Trapper Keepers, Crayola Magic Scent crayons, Climbing rope in gym class, Cursive writing, Analog clocks, Paper cutters, Thermoses, Lisa Frank everything, Crayola Twistables crayons, Card catalogs, Projectors with plastic sheets, Metal lunchboxes, Mr. Sketch scented markers, Typing games, Pull Down Maps, Hard plastic lunch boxes, Chalkboards, Compasses and protractors, Traditional Desks, Gym Uniforms

Some teachers might still teach it in elementary school, but the truth is, this art is almost gone forever. People used to write their names in cursive on everything they owned, but now everything is digital.

Analog clocks

Dodgeball, Passing notes in class, Gel pens, SpaceMaker pencil boxes, Vintage chalk holders, Library check-out cards, Wall pencil sharpeners, Microsoft WordArt, AV carts, Trapper Keepers, Crayola Magic Scent crayons, Climbing rope in gym class, Cursive writing, Analog clocks, Paper cutters, Thermoses, Lisa Frank everything, Crayola Twistables crayons, Card catalogs, Projectors with plastic sheets, Metal lunchboxes, Mr. Sketch scented markers, Typing games, Pull Down Maps, Hard plastic lunch boxes, Chalkboards, Compasses and protractors, Traditional Desks, Gym Uniforms

Each day, more kids can’t read an analog clock, resulting in schools replacing them with digital clocks so kids can know the time.

Paper cutters

Dodgeball, Passing notes in class, Gel pens, SpaceMaker pencil boxes, Vintage chalk holders, Library check-out cards, Wall pencil sharpeners, Microsoft WordArt, AV carts, Trapper Keepers, Crayola Magic Scent crayons, Climbing rope in gym class, Cursive writing, Analog clocks, Paper cutters, Thermoses, Lisa Frank everything, Crayola Twistables crayons, Card catalogs, Projectors with plastic sheets, Metal lunchboxes, Mr. Sketch scented markers, Typing games, Pull Down Maps, Hard plastic lunch boxes, Chalkboards, Compasses and protractors, Traditional Desks, Gym Uniforms

Scissors? Nah, let’s have a tray with a giant machete in the classroom to cut paper quicker.

Thermoses

Dodgeball, Passing notes in class, Gel pens, SpaceMaker pencil boxes, Vintage chalk holders, Library check-out cards, Wall pencil sharpeners, Microsoft WordArt, AV carts, Trapper Keepers, Crayola Magic Scent crayons, Climbing rope in gym class, Cursive writing, Analog clocks, Paper cutters, Thermoses, Lisa Frank everything, Crayola Twistables crayons, Card catalogs, Projectors with plastic sheets, Metal lunchboxes, Mr. Sketch scented markers, Typing games, Pull Down Maps, Hard plastic lunch boxes, Chalkboards, Compasses and protractors, Traditional Desks, Gym Uniforms

If it was cold, you knew your mom was going to add a thermos with soup or hot cocoa in your lunchbox.

Lisa Frank everything

Dodgeball, Passing notes in class, Gel pens, SpaceMaker pencil boxes, Vintage chalk holders, Library check-out cards, Wall pencil sharpeners, Microsoft WordArt, AV carts, Trapper Keepers, Crayola Magic Scent crayons, Climbing rope in gym class, Cursive writing, Analog clocks, Paper cutters, Thermoses, Lisa Frank everything, Crayola Twistables crayons, Card catalogs, Projectors with plastic sheets, Metal lunchboxes, Mr. Sketch scented markers, Typing games, Pull Down Maps, Hard plastic lunch boxes, Chalkboards, Compasses and protractors, Traditional Desks, Gym Uniforms

Notebooks, binders, pencil cases, and other neon items were every girl’s dream when it came to school supplies.

Crayola Twistables crayons

Dodgeball, Passing notes in class, Gel pens, SpaceMaker pencil boxes, Vintage chalk holders, Library check-out cards, Wall pencil sharpeners, Microsoft WordArt, AV carts, Trapper Keepers, Crayola Magic Scent crayons, Climbing rope in gym class, Cursive writing, Analog clocks, Paper cutters, Thermoses, Lisa Frank everything, Crayola Twistables crayons, Card catalogs, Projectors with plastic sheets, Metal lunchboxes, Mr. Sketch scented markers, Typing games, Pull Down Maps, Hard plastic lunch boxes, Chalkboards, Compasses and protractors, Traditional Desks, Gym Uniforms

Having these crayons set the status back in the day. Everyone wanted to sit next to the one with them.

Card catalogs

Dodgeball, Passing notes in class, Gel pens, SpaceMaker pencil boxes, Vintage chalk holders, Library check-out cards, Wall pencil sharpeners, Microsoft WordArt, AV carts, Trapper Keepers, Crayola Magic Scent crayons, Climbing rope in gym class, Cursive writing, Analog clocks, Paper cutters, Thermoses, Lisa Frank everything, Crayola Twistables crayons, Card catalogs, Projectors with plastic sheets, Metal lunchboxes, Mr. Sketch scented markers, Typing games, Pull Down Maps, Hard plastic lunch boxes, Chalkboards, Compasses and protractors, Traditional Desks, Gym Uniforms

Having to go through all these cards to find the book or paper you were looking for was a waste of time. Let’s all be thankful for the Internet.

Projectors with plastic sheets

Dodgeball, Passing notes in class, Gel pens, SpaceMaker pencil boxes, Vintage chalk holders, Library check-out cards, Wall pencil sharpeners, Microsoft WordArt, AV carts, Trapper Keepers, Crayola Magic Scent crayons, Climbing rope in gym class, Cursive writing, Analog clocks, Paper cutters, Thermoses, Lisa Frank everything, Crayola Twistables crayons, Card catalogs, Projectors with plastic sheets, Metal lunchboxes, Mr. Sketch scented markers, Typing games, Pull Down Maps, Hard plastic lunch boxes, Chalkboards, Compasses and protractors, Traditional Desks, Gym Uniforms

When displaying math problems or vocabulary words, teachers would use a projector with plastic sheets on which they could write and then clean.

Metal lunchboxes

Dodgeball, Passing notes in class, Gel pens, SpaceMaker pencil boxes, Vintage chalk holders, Library check-out cards, Wall pencil sharpeners, Microsoft WordArt, AV carts, Trapper Keepers, Crayola Magic Scent crayons, Climbing rope in gym class, Cursive writing, Analog clocks, Paper cutters, Thermoses, Lisa Frank everything, Crayola Twistables crayons, Card catalogs, Projectors with plastic sheets, Metal lunchboxes, Mr. Sketch scented markers, Typing games, Pull Down Maps, Hard plastic lunch boxes, Chalkboards, Compasses and protractors, Traditional Desks, Gym Uniforms

Metal lunchboxes were plain but functional. They kept your lunch from spilling and even helped keep it warm.

Mr. Sketch scented markers

Dodgeball, Passing notes in class, Gel pens, SpaceMaker pencil boxes, Vintage chalk holders, Library check-out cards, Wall pencil sharpeners, Microsoft WordArt, AV carts, Trapper Keepers, Crayola Magic Scent crayons, Climbing rope in gym class, Cursive writing, Analog clocks, Paper cutters, Thermoses, Lisa Frank everything, Crayola Twistables crayons, Card catalogs, Projectors with plastic sheets, Metal lunchboxes, Mr. Sketch scented markers, Typing games, Pull Down Maps, Hard plastic lunch boxes, Chalkboards, Compasses and protractors, Traditional Desks, Gym Uniforms

Who hasn’t sniffed on these while doing some art projects?

Typing games

Dodgeball, Passing notes in class, Gel pens, SpaceMaker pencil boxes, Vintage chalk holders, Library check-out cards, Wall pencil sharpeners, Microsoft WordArt, AV carts, Trapper Keepers, Crayola Magic Scent crayons, Climbing rope in gym class, Cursive writing, Analog clocks, Paper cutters, Thermoses, Lisa Frank everything, Crayola Twistables crayons, Card catalogs, Projectors with plastic sheets, Metal lunchboxes, Mr. Sketch scented markers, Typing games, Pull Down Maps, Hard plastic lunch boxes, Chalkboards, Compasses and protractors, Traditional Desks, Gym Uniforms

Typing games were a big thing in class, so people could practice what today seems like a skill we've all developed.

Pull Down Maps

Dodgeball, Passing notes in class, Gel pens, SpaceMaker pencil boxes, Vintage chalk holders, Library check-out cards, Wall pencil sharpeners, Microsoft WordArt, AV carts, Trapper Keepers, Crayola Magic Scent crayons, Climbing rope in gym class, Cursive writing, Analog clocks, Paper cutters, Thermoses, Lisa Frank everything, Crayola Twistables crayons, Card catalogs, Projectors with plastic sheets, Metal lunchboxes, Mr. Sketch scented markers, Typing games, Pull Down Maps, Hard plastic lunch boxes, Chalkboards, Compasses and protractors, Traditional Desks, Gym Uniforms

Back in the day, there were maps on top of the chalkboard that teachers could pull down so students could see where things took place. Now they’ll just Google it and display an image on the board through a projector.

Hard plastic lunch boxes

Dodgeball, Passing notes in class, Gel pens, SpaceMaker pencil boxes, Vintage chalk holders, Library check-out cards, Wall pencil sharpeners, Microsoft WordArt, AV carts, Trapper Keepers, Crayola Magic Scent crayons, Climbing rope in gym class, Cursive writing, Analog clocks, Paper cutters, Thermoses, Lisa Frank everything, Crayola Twistables crayons, Card catalogs, Projectors with plastic sheets, Metal lunchboxes, Mr. Sketch scented markers, Typing games, Pull Down Maps, Hard plastic lunch boxes, Chalkboards, Compasses and protractors, Traditional Desks, Gym Uniforms

Having a lunchbox that represented you was one of the coolest things ever.

Chalkboards

Dodgeball, Passing notes in class, Gel pens, SpaceMaker pencil boxes, Vintage chalk holders, Library check-out cards, Wall pencil sharpeners, Microsoft WordArt, AV carts, Trapper Keepers, Crayola Magic Scent crayons, Climbing rope in gym class, Cursive writing, Analog clocks, Paper cutters, Thermoses, Lisa Frank everything, Crayola Twistables crayons, Card catalogs, Projectors with plastic sheets, Metal lunchboxes, Mr. Sketch scented markers, Typing games, Pull Down Maps, Hard plastic lunch boxes, Chalkboards, Compasses and protractors, Traditional Desks, Gym Uniforms

They have been replaced by whiteboards or even Smart Boards. They were dusty, impractical, and when the teacher accidentally scratched them with their nails, it was super painful.

Globes

Dodgeball, Passing notes in class, Gel pens, SpaceMaker pencil boxes, Vintage chalk holders, Library check-out cards, Wall pencil sharpeners, Microsoft WordArt, AV carts, Trapper Keepers, Crayola Magic Scent crayons, Climbing rope in gym class, Cursive writing, Analog clocks, Paper cutters, Thermoses, Lisa Frank everything, Crayola Twistables crayons, Card catalogs, Projectors with plastic sheets, Metal lunchboxes, Mr. Sketch scented markers, Typing games, Pull Down Maps, Hard plastic lunch boxes, Chalkboards, Compasses and protractors, Traditional Desks, Gym Uniforms

Before Google Maps existed, this was the resource teachers had to show students far-off places.

Compasses and protractors

Dodgeball, Passing notes in class, Gel pens, SpaceMaker pencil boxes, Vintage chalk holders, Library check-out cards, Wall pencil sharpeners, Microsoft WordArt, AV carts, Trapper Keepers, Crayola Magic Scent crayons, Climbing rope in gym class, Cursive writing, Analog clocks, Paper cutters, Thermoses, Lisa Frank everything, Crayola Twistables crayons, Card catalogs, Projectors with plastic sheets, Metal lunchboxes, Mr. Sketch scented markers, Typing games, Pull Down Maps, Hard plastic lunch boxes, Chalkboards, Compasses and protractors, Traditional Desks, Gym Uniforms

Having to draw a perfect circle in geometry class was a pain, but these two made it easier.

Traditional Desks

Dodgeball, Passing notes in class, Gel pens, SpaceMaker pencil boxes, Vintage chalk holders, Library check-out cards, Wall pencil sharpeners, Microsoft WordArt, AV carts, Trapper Keepers, Crayola Magic Scent crayons, Climbing rope in gym class, Cursive writing, Analog clocks, Paper cutters, Thermoses, Lisa Frank everything, Crayola Twistables crayons, Card catalogs, Projectors with plastic sheets, Metal lunchboxes, Mr. Sketch scented markers, Typing games, Pull Down Maps, Hard plastic lunch boxes, Chalkboards, Compasses and protractors, Traditional Desks, Gym Uniforms

These are slowly fading into oblivion. Each student used to have their own desk with a tan top and a ridge to hold their pencil. Now, some schools are implementing standing desks and even tables.

Gym Uniforms

Dodgeball, Passing notes in class, Gel pens, SpaceMaker pencil boxes, Vintage chalk holders, Library check-out cards, Wall pencil sharpeners, Microsoft WordArt, AV carts, Trapper Keepers, Crayola Magic Scent crayons, Climbing rope in gym class, Cursive writing, Analog clocks, Paper cutters, Thermoses, Lisa Frank everything, Crayola Twistables crayons, Card catalogs, Projectors with plastic sheets, Metal lunchboxes, Mr. Sketch scented markers, Typing games, Pull Down Maps, Hard plastic lunch boxes, Chalkboards, Compasses and protractors, Traditional Desks, Gym Uniforms

Changing for gym class was way easier with those unisex t-shirts.

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