
Citizenship at School : School Discipline (silent, 1920s)
“Citizenship at School – School Discipline” is a silent educational film from the early 1920s exploring progressive methods of school discipline. Set in a classroom adorned with blackboards, wooden desks, and a picture of President Warren Harding, the film depicts two misbehaving boys. One boy, Emilie, agrees to pay for a broken window and is released from punishment, while the other, George, is banned from the school tennis courts and tasked with writing an apology letter for his poor “deportment.” George quickly complies, earning the committee’s approval and regaining tennis privileges. Unusually progressive for its time, the film highlights non-violent disciplinary measures, such as discussion, accountability, and student involvement through an advisory committee. The period-appropriate attire—boys in formal coats and ties, girls in sack dresses—adds historical charm to this quaint depiction of early educational ideals.
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