I had one like that when I was his age, but it was for metal shop.  Our school district required that in 6th grade, all girls take shop and all boys take sewing.  I don't remember what the girls had to make but I think it was things like bird houses that we boys had to make in 4th grade shop, and we boys had to learn how to make a shop apron like this when we took sewing.  I had that apron I made for over 20 years and I loved it.