Education in the 1930s
By: Alec and Imyrri
How were schools like in the 1930s?
Schools were tough in the 1930s, the way they punished kids was different, the way they taught kids was different as well. The education that the kids received was not great considering the level of teachers that were hired. Most schools did not have enough money to pay for good, well-trained teachers so they settled for second best. Of course the result of that, mediocre education. The schools were usually a one room school that taught a variety of ages throughout the day or even, all at the same time!
How did the teachers treat kids?
Back in the 1930s the teachers could be physical with the kids unlike in modern times. As said in the article The Bumb, the author states that, " If a child stepped out of line, so to speak, he/she would be hit with a ruler, paddle, or switch." The teachers could put them in timeout as well the author later states in the article. Needless to say, you did not want to step out of line if you were in a normal 1930s school.
How were the conditions of the schools in the 1930s?
The condition of most schools were usually bad unless the school was recently made. For one, air conditioning units were very expensive so lots of schools did not have them there for, there was no air conditioning in the summer, and not heating in the winter, so depending on how hot or cold it was outside, the temperature was relatively the same in the school. Some schools could also have cracks in the walls which could lead to bugs and other critters finding there way into the school.
Was it common for kids to go to school in the 1930s?
For the most part it was about 50/50 when it comes to the amount of kids who went to school, against the amount of kids that did not. The kids that did not go to school were either working to pay for family needs, or getting home schooled which was also common in the 1930s.
How did kids get to school every day?
Almost every kid in the 1930s either rode there horse to school, or walked. In the article, Farming in the 1930s, Herman Goertzen stated that, " He like most others, rode his horse to grade school every morning. When he got to school, he slapped his horse on the rump, and the horse trotted back to the farm. After school, Herman walked home, about a mile and a half." You were either fortunate enough to have a horse that you could ride, or you made the commute every morning to school and back, whether it be one mile, or five.
True or False!
1. Teachers could not punish there kids physically.
2. Kids would either ride a horse or walk to school every day.
3. Most schools did not have any air conditioning in them so it was very hot in the summer inside and outside of the schools.
4. The teachers in the 1930s were very well trained and were paid lots of money.
What time did schools start and end on an average day?
With the state that the school was in made the time it started and ended differ, but for the most part, schools would start at 8/9 a.m. and end some time around 12/2 p.m. in the afternoon. The reason these schools ended so early is so the kids can go back home and work for the rest of the day. There was no time to rest if you were a young boy or girl in the 1930s!
What did kids get taught in the 1930s?
Kids got taught math and some other subjects but for the most part, they were taught how to read and write. That was a very important skill to have and if you knew how to read and write, it gave you a much larger variety of jobs you could get in the future. As the author of this article states," One of the main goals of education, of course, was and to teach the students how to read, and the 1930s was a vibrant time for literature for both children and adults."
POP QUIZ!!!!!!!!!!!!
1. What were the two main types of transportation kids used to get to school?
2. Why couldn't schools hire great teachers?
3. What did schools NOT have that made them uncomfortable?
4.What was the most important skill that schools tried to teach there kids?
5. What (general) times did schools start and end?
6. Was it common for kids to go to school or not go to school?