Wesley,
Even I got rapped across the knuckles. Once I remember was because I (and everyone else in the class) failed a 100 word surprise spelling test of words we had never seen before and I have not seen since. I was a straight A student and still failed. Go figure.

Actually, one beating (across the back of the legs with a pointer/cane) every time she made a mistake on a multiple division problem led to threat of a lawsuit when Elaine Pity's mother decided it was extreme. It was horrifying to watch and went on for about five minutes.

When Sister Blister got really bored or really mad she used the metal side of the ruler across the knuckles - it cut. I never endured that but my brothers did. And if you flinched, you got two more.

My younger brother was decked by a nun and knocked unconcious in the third grade. They made him promise not to tell my parents and in return he got little extras.

Add that to the priest who was banging little boys and I have to admit I don't have fond memories of my early school days.