In School
Find out about the school day for children in the homes. What lessons did they have and what was the schoolroom like?
Read the fact file, look at some original
photographs then print the sources and try the worksheet.
What do you think?
- How would you feel if you had to do 'drill' as part of your modern
P.E. lessons?
- What modern day activities would you introduce into the school timetable?
- Think of some of the games you played as a young child. Are they
very different from those mentioned in the fact file?
Printable worksheets and source material:
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- Children in the smaller homes went to the local school but
the larger homes had their own schoolroom.
- School started at 9 o'clock and finished at about 4.15 but
their lunch break was 1 ½ hours or more, which is longer than
most schools have today. The main meal of the day 'dinner' was
at lunch time.
- The subjects taught were the 3 R's, which were, Reading wRiting
and aRithmetic. Being a good speller with neat handwriting was
very important.
- Some more practical things were taught. Boys even learnt to
darn their socks! Look at the extra photographs
and at the section about preparing
for work.
- PE was called drill (see the photo)
and the children had to march and do exercises all together.
- At playtime some of the homes had swings and see-saws in the
yard or the children might have played with marbles and jacks
or sticks and hoops.
- When the children were 14 they finished their schooling and
prepared for work.
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