Rural schoolhoues changed dramatically in the 1940's due to the 20th century progressive movements. Education was becoming more standardized in the 1940's, and rural schools were being pressured to change their curriculums. http://www.enotes.com/1940-education-american-decades |
Here is a sample of a Second Grade Reading Seatwork page from the 1940's.Click to view larger image |
Click to view larger image |
World War II was the primary cause for the nation-wide change in educational standards. A number of draftees were rejected by the army because they were illiterate. The public was unhappy about the unsteady education of past generations, and had a national movement to reform schools. http://www.bookrags.com/history/america-1940s-education/ Controversy in what to include in curriculum continues even in today's school systems. Click here to learn more about the on-going debate over the intelligent design and how it is presented in schools. |
| 1940's curriculum included subjects such as reading, grammar, arithmetic, social studies, and science. Click here to take a quiz containing common subject material from the 1940's! |
Here is a sample of third grade arithmetic from the Master Key Arithmetic by Frank L. Clapp. Click to view larger image |
Courtesy of the Johnson County Historical Society unless otherwise noted