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Maths History

The history of school slates and chalk maths

Explore how children practised arithmetic before exercise books, tablets and whiteboards.

Quick answer

Children have been learning maths for thousands of years, long before tablets and whiteboards. Before paper and pens, they used slates and chalk, or even sand and sticks, to practice their arithmetic.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will understand how children in the past learned maths and how these old methods connect to the maths you do today. Success signs:
  • You can explain what slates and chalk were used for
  • You can show how old maths methods are still useful today
  • You can give one example of how maths was practised before paper
  • You can compare old and new ways of learning maths

Why this matters

Learning about how maths was done in the past helps you understand why we do things the way we do. It shows how clever people have always needed to count, measure, and solve problems. It also helps you appreciate the tools we have today, like tablets and whiteboards, and how they build on older methods.

How it works

In the past, children didn’t have paper or books. They used special tools to write and practice maths. These tools were:
  1. Slates – flat pieces of stone or wood with a smooth surface
  2. Chalk – a stick of soft stone that leaves marks on the slate
  3. Sand trays – containers with sand where children drew maths with sticks
  4. Abacuses – beads on rods to help with counting and adding

Examples you can see

Let’s imagine you are a child in ancient Rome or medieval Europe. You might use a slate and chalk to practice your addition like this: Example 1: Adding with slates and chalk
  • You write 5 + 3 = ? on your slate
  • You use chalk to draw the numbers and the equals sign
  • You count on your fingers or use a stick to help
  • You write the answer: 8
Example 2: Counting with an abacus
  • You have 10 beads on one row
  • You move 4 beads to one side
  • You move 3 more beads to the same side
  • You count the beads you moved: 4 + 3 = 7
Example 3: Drawing in sand
  • You use a stick to draw 3 groups of 4 stars in the sand
  • You count all the stars: 4 + 4 + 4 = 12

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Ancient School Challenge You are a student in an ancient school! Your teacher gives you a slate and a piece of chalk. You must solve these problems: 1st time: Write 6 + 4 = ? on your slate 2nd time: Draw 5 groups of 3 stars in the sand 3rd time: Count the stars and write the answer: 5 x 3 = ? 4th time: Use your chalk to write 9 - 2 = ? 5th time: Solve 7 + 8 = ? using the abacus 6th time: Draw 2 rows of 6 dots on your slate 7th time: Count all the dots and write the answer: 2 x 6 = ? 8th time: Use your slate to show 10 - 5 = ? 9th time: Draw 4 groups of 2 circles in the sand 10th time: Count all the circles and write the answer: 4 x 2 = ?

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking that slates and chalk were only used in ancient times
    Why it happens: Children think all old methods are gone
    Fix: Slates and chalk are still used in some schools today, especially in rural areas
  • Mistake: Believing that old methods were harder than today's
    Why it happens: Children think modern tools are better
    Fix: Old methods helped build strong mental maths skills and memory
  • Mistake: Thinking you can't do multiplication with sand and sticks
    Why it happens: Not understanding that groups are the same
    Fix: Show 3 groups of 4 with sticks, then count all the sticks

Parent and carer guide

Parents and carers can help by:
  • Discussing how maths was done in the past with children
  • Encouraging children to try writing maths with chalk on a slate or drawing in sand
  • Comparing old and new methods of learning maths
  • Reading short stories about ancient maths or famous mathematicians
  • Using this as a chance to talk about how tools change over time
This activity helps children see that the way they learn maths now is built on ideas from long ago. It also helps them appreciate the tools they have today.

Practice questions

  1. What were two old tools used for writing maths?
  2. How many groups of 3 are there in 12?
  3. What is 5 + 7?
  4. What is 6 x 4?
  5. What is 15 - 9?
  6. How many stars are in 3 groups of 5?
  7. What is 8 + 8?
  8. What is 9 x 2?
  9. What is 10 - 3?
  10. How many circles are in 4 groups of 2?
Answers:
  1. Slates and chalk
  2. 4 groups
  3. 12
  4. 24
  5. 6
  6. 15
  7. 16
  8. 18
  9. 7
  10. 8

FAQ

What was a slate used for?

A slate was a flat piece of stone or wood that children used to write on with chalk. It was reusable and could be cleaned and used again.

How did people count before calculators?

People used their fingers, counting sticks, beads on an abacus, or even drawing marks in sand or on slates to help them count and calculate.

Did children always use slates and chalk?

No, in different places and times, children used different tools. Some used sand trays, others used counting boards or abacuses.

Are slates and chalk still used today?

Yes, some schools still use slates and chalk, especially in places where electricity or modern resources are limited.

Why did people use slates instead of paper?

Slates were reusable, which made them cheaper and more environmentally friendly than paper. They also lasted a long time.