The teacher taught many grades. There were students of different ages. Everyone was expected to behave at school.
Here are some of the rules -
- respect and obey the teacher
- accept the punishments the teacher gives you
- do not call the classmates names or fight
- do not disturb others as they are working
- be silent; do not talk unless necessary
- feet flat on the floor, hands on the desk
- raise your hand if you wish to speak
- when given permission to speak, stand up by your desk, then speak
- do not leave your seat without permission
- no more than one student may go to the washroom
- go quietly in and out of the classroom
- do your duties if told to
Extra duties : bring in firewood, bring in water for washing and for drinking, straighten out benches and tables, sweep, dust,
tidy up the classroom, clean the blackboards and brushes, empty the ashes from the wood stove
Bad behavior : there were many punishments including a rap on the palm of the hand with a ruler or a leather strap; standing in the corner;
standing on one foot for a long time; missing recess.
Often extra chores were given to those who misbehaved. These chores were done before or after school. If a child misbehaved at school, parents would also punish them at home.
