Figure 1.--Here we see a German boy, probably still in Volkschule, intently completing his home work / Hausaufgaben in 1916. Notice the drop down pannel father has fixed. He is doing his work on his slate. Note how he has used his pencil case to prop his book open. There is also an open tin box of chalk to the left. His satchel is on the window still to the right. Besides showing a boy doing his school work, the image here is also interesting because it shows what was in the school satchel.

German schools have varied over time as to the home work. The German term is " Hausaufgaben ". Another word is Schularbeiten, meaning school work. The plural version here is commonly used because students usually have work on more than one subject. The age and grade level of the children is a factor in homewoek. After the first 4 years of primary school (Grundschule/Volkschule), children attend different types of schools with varying academic programs. The more intensive academic programs involved more home work. We do not have much information on the extent to which home work was assigned over time. We do not have a lot of information on this, but the satchels the children wore back and forth from school was one indicator that home work was being assigned. A German reader tells us, "In former days in primary school a Hausaufgabe (this is the singular form) was typically to write a chalk board full of letters, of words, in higher grades of a short text copied from the "Lesebuch" or "Fiebel" (reeading book). In maths to write down the multipliers of, e.g., 5 (i.e, 10, 15, 20, ...), in higher grades the results of a chapter of the "Rechenbuch" (calculation book). And in the gymnasium, to write a short essay about a topic, given by the teacher, in foreign languages to translate a foreign text, maybe 1 to 2 pages, into German and to note new foreign words with their meaning in the "Vokabelbuch" for learning, or in maths and sciences, an exercise report about some class work - on paper, 1 to 5 full pages." Educators have differed over the importance and value of home work. More constant has been the chidren's attitude toward home work. Our German reader tells us, "For some pupils, thehome work assignments were hard work. Hence, in modern times, it is minimized, e.g., no tasks given from Friday to Monday to have a free weekend for fun without assigned tasks. Time has changed!" Another variable is the parents ability or interest in helping the children. Also children had different home situatons where they could do their home work. And thanks for the German penchant for photography, we have images of boys doing their homework an the spaces prepard for them.

Chronology

German schools have varied over time as to the home work.

Terminology

The German term is " Hausaufgaben " which is closest to the English homework. Another word is Schularbeiten, meaning school work. Aeader tells us, "Most people call home work Schulaufgaben instead of Hausaufgaben. I think that makes more sense." Most people call home work Schulaufgaben instead of Hausaufgaben. I think that makes more sense. The plural version here is commonly used because students usually have work on more than one subject.

Age and Grade Level

The age and grade level of the children is a factor in homewoek. After the first 4 years of primary school (Grundschule/Volkschule), children attend different types of schools with varying academic programs. The more intensive academic programs involved more home work. We do not have much information on the extent to which home work was assigned over time. We do not have a lot of information on this, but the satchels the children wore back and forth from school was one indicator that home work was being assigned. A German reader tells us, "In former days in primary school a Hausaufgabe (this is the singular form) was typically to write a chalk board full of letters, of words, in higher grades of a short text copied from the "Lesebuch" or "Fiebel" (reeading book). In maths to write down the multipliers of, e.g., 5 (i.e, 10, 15, 20, ...), in higher grades the results of a chapter of the "Rechenbuch" (calculation book). And in the gymnasium, to write a short essay about a topic, given by the teacher, in foreign languages to translate a foreign text, maybe 1 to 2 pages, into German and to note new foreign words with their meaning in the "Vokabelbuch" for learning, or in maths and sciences, an exercise report about some class work - on paper, 1 to 5 full pages."

Value

Educators have differed over the importance and value of home work.

Children's Attitudes

More constant has been the chidren's attitude toward home work. Our German reader tells us lookimg back, "For some pupils, the home work assignments were hard work. Hence, in modern times, it is minimized, e.g., no tasks given from Friday to Monday to have a free weekend for fun without assigned tasks. Time has changed!"

Home Situations

Another variable is the parents ability or interest in helping the children. Here middle-class children had substantial advantages. Perents were both more interested and more capable to support, incourage, and assist their children. Also children had different home situatons where they could do their home work. And thanks for the German penchant for photography, we have images of boys doing their homework an the spaces prepard for them. Here readers should understand that German living standards were lower than in America. Living standards in Germany were among the highest in Europe. The British had the highest living standards, but all weee below that of America. This all was reflected in food, clothing, and living spaces. With smaller homes and apartments boys there were less likely to have work spaces set aside for home work. We note some middle-class boys did have spaces forvtheir work. Drop down desks seem an efficent use of the available space. We suspect that more commonly the children used the kitchen or dining room table. Probably working-class fmilies in small apartments did not have kitchen tables.

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Created: 1:24 AM 3/2/2008
Last updated: 12:41 PM 5/10/2015