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What things didn't students use to have?
School in Ancient Times
In Greece, 2,500 years ago, only the sons of rich people
went to school, and they started around the age of seven.
Students first learned to read and write syllables and then
words, and then they copied famous sayings. They wrote on
wax tablets with a stylus, which was like a pen. After they
learned to read and write, they used to study Greek poetry
and historical works. Music was an important part of their education, and so was physical
training. Girls stayed at home with their mothers and learned how to keep the house.
In ancient Rome, boys and girls from wealthy families received a bilingual education.
They had to study Greek and Latin. Students usually had classes outside, if the weather
was good, or in the teacher's house. Teachers used to beat students who didn't pay attention
or who were lazy.
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In ancient China, many children never got a chance to go to school. With the Han dynasty
(206 B.C.-220 A.D.), the emperor paid for free education. Only boys were allowed to study.
They typically used to start school when they were about six years old, and there was one
teacher for the whole school. There weren't any math or science lessons. Students learned to
read and write, and they used to memorize pages of the great Chinese philosopher Confucius.
His teachings stressed the importance of duty, family, and hard work. Boys used to work very
hard to pass the government tests. Students with the highest scores could get a job
in the government. Around 500 A.D., girls also began to learn how to
read and write in Buddhist temples, which were spreading in China.
