Discipline was key in order to keep harmony in the classroom. In the event that a child stepped out of line, punishment was necessary. Dealing with misbehavior was part of the job for school teachers in the schoolhouse.

The job of the teacher to discipline their students did not drastically change that much from the 1870's to the 1940's. Punishments from around these time periods were usually meant to humiliate the student. They opted for these type of punishments instead of more corporal punishment, even though that style of punishment was also used. Here are some of the ways in which teachers would discipline their students:

• The student would put his/her nose in a circle on the blackboard and stand there. He/She would also sit apart from the other classmates.
• He/She would stand in a corner with one arm outstretched, while holding an object.
• The student would sit with the boys or girls depending on the student's opposite gender.
• If the student was a boy, he would be forced to wear a girl's bonnet.
• Both boys and girls would be forced to wear a dunce cap.
• Sometimes the student would be forced to stay inside during recess.

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