What did schools look like in 1840 - 1950?

Answer 1

Depends on the decade and the country.

In 1840 USA, most schools were one classroom, one teacher, and quite tiny.

By 1950, there were usually several classrooms and several teachers using a system that put children in school by grades.

In 1840, if you lived in Northern USA, you may have had a public education where both rich and poor children went to the same school. If you lived in the Southern USA, there was no public education, and most rich, privileged male children went to military boarding school.

In 1950, if you lived in Northern USA, schools would be nonsegregated. If you lived in Southern USA, schools would be segregated.

The building a school was in would probably have been made out of wood in the 1840s. A school built in 1950 would have been more likely made of brick.

Even back in the 1840s, schools had bells, but you would have to ring the bell by pulling a rope, unlike today when bells are automated. By 1950s, some schools would have even had an intercom system.

Most schools would have used a chalkboard in both the 1840s and 1950s.

In the 1840s, classroom aides would have been created by the teacher, as there were no magazines for the purchase school aides from at the time. By the 1950s, you may have seen posters on the walls, that a teacher had gotten from a school aide store or a magazine.