Week Two Visual Assignment: Susan MuirFree Public Education: Preparing Youth for Their Future

Social reformers saw a need and obligation to educate all students equally, despite their economic background. More parents were working and the duties of preparing children fell upon the teachers. These duties included educating for the future as well as taking on the daily routines such as teaching proper washing and nutrition.

“If poverty was caused by idleness, idleness by ignorance, and ignorance by the lack of schooling, then surely the community as a whole would benefit from investing in the education of the underclasses.” Learning Module 2: Creating the Educational State

Figure 1. Arts Centre Puppets. From City of Toronto Archives: Fonds 200, Series 372, Subseries 2, item 21. May 1, 1934, https://gencat4.eloquent-systems.com/webcat/request/DoMenuRequest?SystemName=City+of+Toronto+Archives&UserName=wa+public&Password=&TemplateProcessID=6000_1580_11104&bCachable=1&MenuName=City+of+Toronto+Archives&eloquentref=toronto. Public Domain.

The promise of schooling for all children included preparing youth

for their duties as contributing members of society.

Week Two Visual Assignment: Susan MuirFree Public Education: Preparing Youth for Their Future

Figure 2. School milk program .From City of Toronto Archives: Series 372, Subseries 32, Item 711 April 27, 1923,https://gencat4.eloquentsystems.com/webcat/request/DoMenuRequest?SystemName=City+of+Toronto+Archives&UserName=wa+public&Password=&TemplateProcessID=6000_1580_11104&bCachable=1&MenuName=City+of+Toronto+Archives&eloquentref=toronto. Public Domain.

Figure 3. Children learning how to blow their nose. From City of Toronto Archives: Fonds 123, Item 62, July 29, 1913,http://www.blogto.com/city/2012/09/back_to_school_in_toronto_vintage_edition/ https://gencat4.eloquentsystems.com/webcat/request/DoMenuRequest?SystemName=City+of+Toronto+Archives&UserName=wa+public&Password=&TemplateProcessID=6000_1580_11104&bCachable=1&MenuName=City+of+Toronto+Archives&eloquentref=toronto. Public Domain.

Week Two Visual Assignment: Susan MuirFree Public Education: Preparing Youth for Their Future

Figure 4. ‘Little Mothers’ Class. Toronto Board of Education. Fonds 200, Series 372, Subseries 11, Item 60 July 29, 1913, https://gencat4.eloquent-systems.com/webcat/request/DoMenuRequest?SystemName=City+of+Toronto+Archives&UserName=wa+public&Password=&TemplateProcessID=6000_1580_11104&bCachable=1&MenuName=City+of+Toronto+Archives&eloquentref=toronto. Public Domain.

Figure 5. Board of Education visiting an outdoor classroom. Toronto Board of Education. Fonds 200, Series 372, Subseries 11, Item 116 [ca. 1913] 29, 1913, https://gencat4.eloquent-systems.com/webcat/request/DoMenuRequest?SystemName=City+of+Toronto+Archives&UserName=wa+public&Password=&TemplateProcessID=6000_1580_11104&bCachable=1&MenuName=City+of+Toronto+Archives&eloquentref=toronto. Public Domain.

During the latter 1800’s, early 1900’s, schools continued to be an important instrument in the socialization of children, public schools also took on many roles once seen as a parent’s job. Governments were devoting time and money to regulating mass education. This free compulsory education was the promise to prepare all children of becoming contributing members of society. Teachers not only taught about math, history, and language; education also included

School Inspections: Boards of Education would often visit the

schools

Week Two Visual Assignment: Susan MuirFree Public Education: Preparing Youth for Their Future

educating specific gender roles such as child care for woman and chair caning for boys. The poor were now being taught the same education as the middle class, creating equal opportunities and a safer more harmonious society. This time of economic progress, the education system played a key role in maintaining social.