Ray Carver and the SRA Box

When I was third grade at St. Margaret Mary’s School in the late 1960s, we used to have “the SRA box” in the corner. The SRA box had dozens of color-coded sheets, each sheet had a little story and a few questions at the end. We’d read a story, answer the questions, Mrs. Ortolani would grade our paper and we’d move on to the next story.

As one progressed through the colors, the stories got harder. It was a big deal to move up a color and being competitive little strivers, we were well aware of our color standing relative to our peers.

Turns out, “SRA” stands for Science Research Associates. This week’s issue of the New Yorker reports that short story writer Raymond Carver was writing for SRA at the same time I was reading.

It’s odd to think I was reading Raymond Carver in third grade and I don’t remember any stories being about a man drinking alone late in to the night as his wife periodically calls from various places to taunt, recriminate and apologize. But maybe Mrs. Ortolani put those stories aside.

2 Comments

  1. Posted 1/31/2009 at 12:01 am | Permalink

    I remember SRA from the early-to-mid ’60s — there was something particularly delectable about reaching “Olive” … I felt like I’d really made it then. Had no idea of the history.

  2. Anita Wirth
    Posted 12/21/2009 at 4:24 pm | Permalink

    I want a set of the old SRA box for my classroom. I would love to hear of any teacher willing to sell their old box. The new sets are watered down versions.

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