My early Catholic childhood education dates back to the mid 50s. The classrooms were packed (50+) and assigned to one nun for the entire year. As an adult, I can appreciate how daunting a task it must have been for these women to maintain order, much less instruct their charges. I still have some of my 'Composition' books from when I attended SHS in Cambria Heights, NY. At age 5, I was placed in grade 1 (insufficient number to establish a Kindergarten class). The good sisters used the Jesuit system of rote - repeat, repeat, repeat. On day 1 of my 1st grade Composition book, the assignment was to write the number 1, 100 times. At the top of the page, 'Sister' placed a stamp for 'good work'. The other pages are much like the first one insofar as repetitive practice of what was learned throughout the year.
Ironically, my boss (I am the most senior in the office) occasionally pulls out some Encyclopaedia books that date to 1952, and quizzes the staff. I am usually the one who comes up with the correct response. It amazes both him and me :-). My best guess is that the Jesuit system of rote .... WORKS!. We learned the basics and were graded not only on our work, but also on our penmanship. It would be refreshing to see the Educational System today, adopt a similar approach, rather than bog down youthful minds with minutiae.