MSN recently published an article called "11 Ways School Was Different in the 1800s" detailing eleven differences in the school system between school now and school in the late 1800s. The introduction to this article says "Taking a look at what American schools were like in the 1800s might just convince today's kids how much tougher it could be-and just how good they've got it." I agree with this statement and think that once people read some of the ways school they will be very thankful for how things are now.
The first difference is that one room schoolhouses were the norm in rural areas- which most of us probably know. It also adds that room would be heated by a wood stove.
There was no transportation to get to school. In the 1800s, the schoolhouse was considered to be within walking distance if you lived within 5 miles or so of the school. Now, there are many people that live further away that five miles thanks to the car.
At some schools, boys and girls entered through different doors. This is crazy to think of now, but back then things were much more segregated.
The fourth difference is that the school year was much shorter back then. Back then, students went to school for around 130 days. (Now, it is 180 days.) This was because students would need to help their families with harvesting crops. Also, school days usually lasted from 9:00 am to 2:00 or 4:00.
The next difference is that students did not have any fancy school supplies. They would often use only a slate and some chalk.
Another difference is that students would help the teacher teach. The older students would often help a teacher with the younger students. We still have this to a degree, with our mentoring program.
Students would memorize their work. In order to show the teacher what you had learned, you would recite your lessons as a class. As the students were reciting their lessons, the teacher would help them with things like pronunciation.
The most profound difference is that teachers sometimes lived with their students' families. The teachers would often live in the worst parts of the house and find snow in their beds.
The ninth difference is in the discipline. Punish might entail detention, suspension, expulsion, or lashing. Some school had rules regarding punishment, others did not.
Another one was that no lunch was provided by the school, even if the families could afford it. For a drink, every student would drink out of the same tin cup that would be filled using a bucket older boys would fill.
In order to graduate, students would take an exam at the end of eighth grade. Some may choose to continue schooling, but many did not.
Questions:
1. Which of these differences do you like more now?
2. Is there one that you would like more in the 1800s? Why?
My Opinion:
I am very glad that my teachers do not live with me. I need a break from school after 3:30 so I'm very glad I do not have to sleep in the same house as my teacher. I think many people might say that they wish school was still 130 days, but that has evolved because not as many people are farmers anymore. It also means that our schooling is much more important and inclusive now.
Here is the link to the original article.
Replies
Very interesting story and well done! Teachers living with students families? No way!
I like that we do not have as severe punishment as it is now at school and that we diont have to memorize all of our lessons. I would love to have shorter days but they probably didn't have as much to learn as we do now and we probably get a lot more done.
I'm thankful that my teachers don't live with me and that there is less severe punishment now. I like the shorter days better but they probably didn't get as much done as we do now.
To some degree, I'm glad that the teachers and administrators are not allowed to physically reprimand us, but I also think that students might disregard teachers because they think the teachers cannot do anything to them. I also like the shorter days, and I imagine we probably do get a lot more learned that they did, especially because they quit schooling at the eighth grade.
I agree, I need a break after school. But the whole part about having a teacher sleep in the same house wouldn't work for me. There are teachers I do like and others i'm not. But I think I would like a shorter school year because in the end it doesn't matter were still learning just a shorter time.
I also think I need a break after school, but it didn't really explain much about having a teacher live with you. I don't think the students would be learning the whole time, but it would be weird living with your teacher whether it was in a professional or personal manner. I also think the shorter school year would be nice, but I think our education has evolved so much since then. They barely went to school at all. If they went from kindergarten to eighth grade with 130 days each year that is 1170 days. If we go from kindergarten through 12th grade (not including college) at 180 days each, that is 2340 days.
I like that they don't do lashings anymore. I have been in my fair share of trouble at school I would of hated to be lashed when I did. I'm content with your school system now of days but I wish that some kids wouldn't fall through the crack in your school system.
I think it's good that the school doesn't do lashings anymore, but I think they need to be tougher than they are now. Schools just let students do whatever without any real punishment, and some students don't have parents at home to tell them what's right and wrong, so sometimes the school needs to show the students what to do.
I would say either memorizing my work or having teachers living with me. Just the thought of teacher living in my house is not good. There are some teachers I get along with, and some that I do not. I would like a shorter school year because in the end of the year, no one cares anymore.
I am also very glad I don't have to memorize my work now! I'd rather learn it and be able to explain it in different ways than have it memorized and have no idea what it means. I also agree with the teacher comment. Some teachers are okay (for 48 minutes) but I definitely would not want to live with them.
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