- The curriculum in 1910 was heavily focused on basic subjects such as reading, writing, arithmetic, history, geography, and civics.
- It also included practical subjects like agriculture, home economics, and manual training, which were designed to prepare students for their future careers.
- High school students might also study subjects like algebra, geometry, foreign language, physics, chemistry, and biology.
- Physical education was also part of the curriculum, and it typically consisted of calisthenics, marching, and sports like baseball, basketball, and track.
Teaching methods:
- Teaching methods were largely based on rote memorization and recitation, with students expected to learn facts and figures by heart.
- Classrooms were typically structured with the teacher at the front of the room lecturing to the students, who sat in rows and were expected to be quiet and attentive.
- Corporal punishment was commonly used to discipline students, and it was often administered for minor infractions like talking out of turn or failing to complete an assignment.
- Students were expected to be respectful and obedient to their teachers, and they were not encouraged to question or challenge the information they were being taught.
School day and year:
- The school day typically began at 8 am and lasted until 4 pm, with a break for lunch.
- Students attended school for six days a week, and the school year typically lasted from September to June.
- Some rural areas had schools that were only open for a few months out of the year, to accommodate students who were needed to help with farm work.
School attendance:
- School attendance was not compulsory in many states in 1910, and as a result, many children did not attend school at all.
- Child labor laws were also lax at this time, so many children were forced to work long hours in factories or on farms instead of attending school.
- Children from wealthy families were more likely to attend school than children from poor families, and there were significant disparities in educational opportunities for different social classes.
In spite of these challenges, the early 20th century saw significant progress in education. School enrollment rates were rising, and the quality of education was improving, as more teachers were being trained and more schools were being built. These improvements would continue in the coming decades, and they would eventually lead to a more educated and prosperous society.