Pre-Writing Assignment #3

To begin my research on this photograph, I first looked back at what info we were already given. The only bit of historical info to spring off on is that it is from October of 1940. The only other thing we know is that it was found under the categories of children singing and also classroom.

One thing I mentioned in the previous post is that the schools were segregated during this time, and we are proven that fact by looking at the picture and seeing only white children. Schools were similar in the 1940's as they are today. Although this appears to be a music class, I did some research on elementary schools and classes in general during this time period to set the stage for school overall during the 1940's.

The subjects were similar to ours today, but the teachers and classrooms were more formal and strict, different to our fun, colorful elementary school rooms today. Boys and girls played on different playgrounds during recess in most schools. To see all the kids together in this image is nice. They all seem to get along as you don't see anyone fighting. They all look pretty focused on what I assume is the teacher off to the side except for the one little girl. After the war, it was proven that people stayed in school longer to get more of an education than they did before the war.

As far as the clothing worn to school during the 1940s, the children didn't have uniforms but they dressed in nice clothing. The boys often wore clothes that were a little less fancy than a suit and the girls were almost always in dresses.



After learning more about the time period of when this image was taken, you begin to feel more knowledgeable. When you first look at a picture, you usually make up a story as to what it is and you form an opinion on it. But once you research it and know more about the time period of the picture and about the subjects in the picture, your views may change from your preconceived ideas. For me and this image, I feel more connected to the children knowing what they have just gone through with the war and I feel sympathetic towards them but also heart warmed to still see smiles on their faces.

Works Cited

"American Elementary Schools in the 1940's." 1940s Education. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Oct. 2009.
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"Farming in the 1940s." Wessels Living History. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Oct. 2009.
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"School Clothes: United States Individual Experiences." Historical Boys Clothing. N.p., 1 July 2008.
Web. 4 Oct. 2009. .