Figure 1.-- Here the boys had only a few minutes in the afternoon after games. They are amusing themselves in their common room with favorite games, not all electronic. |
|
The schools varied as to how much free time and when the children had free time activities. Opportunities for free time occurred at various times during the day which affected the activities involved. Short periods before lunch and dinner might be used for short games of ping pong or pool, depending on school rules. For the most part free time during weekdays was mostly in the evening after dinner. This mean that free time for the younger children was very limiited because of their early bed times. The oldr boys if prep was not required could persue a range of activities. Often some boys grvitated toward the available computers which were becoming more available. Some schools had gyms which were made available. Some children enjoyed board games. Chess was popula, but most schools had a variety of games available. Soe even had a games room. Others might read the newspapers or work on a research assignment. Several schools had model rooms where the children could work on various projects. During the summer boys might work in the computer nets or enjoy a variety of outdoor games.
The morning is primarily devoted to class work. Very little time is devoted to free time in the morning. This is the primary time for classroom academic activities. The morning tends to be very structured with little or no free time. The major exception of course is the morning break (recess) that the children all eagerly look forward to as the moring progresses. There may be a little time just before lunch as the children finish with their classes and assemble at various locations.
Afternoon free time varies from school to school. Normally the children have some free time after games in the afternoon. Short periods after games or activity might be available for free time. before lunch and dinner might be used for various pursuits. This may be only a few minutes after games. Here the children may chat, play a quick game, have a look at a popular magazine, or pursue a range of other activities. At some schools the children assemble in a commons room with ping pong rables, pool tables, or other diversions. This varies depending on the facilities and school rules. The afternoon is quite varied from school to school. Afternoons are often devoted to games. Some schools have various activity programs on some afternoon days to vary the program. At some schools an hour or more may be scheduled for free time in the afternoon. This is especially the case in the summer tem with longer days and nicer weather. There is also afternoon prep. Some schools may schedule classess or prep in the afteroon, but free time was also common. Some schools provided a range of free time activities in the afternoon which the children were free to choose. Other schools had a more organized approach. And other schools putb more emphasis on prep. This was largely determined by the philosophy of the headmaster and the atmpsphere he sought to create.
There may also be free time in the evening after dinner. For the most part free time during weekdays was mostly in the evening after dinner. This mean that free time for the younger children was very limiited because of their early bed times.
Some schools use this time for prep, but free time was also often scheduled. And this can vary seasonally. Often more free time is scheduled during the summer when the days are longer. Here more time is available for the older children as bed times are staggered by age. The older boys if prep was not required could persue a range of activities. Often some boys grvitated toward the available computers which were becoming more available. Some schools had gyms which were made available. Some children enjoyed board games. Chess was popula, but most schools had a variety of games available. Soe even had a games room. Others might read the newspapers or work on a research assignment. Several schools had model rooms where the children could work on various projects. During the summer boys might work in the computer nets or enjoy a variety of outdoor games. The free time in the evening tended to be more small group activities with friend than the more organized approach in the afternoon.