Schoolchildren in the 19th century were expected to remain completely silent during lessons, except during periods of mandatory recitation, when students were all expected to participate actively. Although modern schools also expect children to remain silent during teaching periods, the degree of silence and the strictness of its enforcement were greater in the 19th century than today.
The formalities of public education were also much greater in a 19th-century schoolroom than in today's modern classrooms. In addition to the formal Mr./Mrs./Ms. titles that students are still expected to use when addressing their instructors, students were generally required to stand when speaking to their instructor and were strictly prohibited from speaking unless permitted to do so.
Because of the limited resources in most 19th-century schools, sharing was an important element of school etiquette during this period. Since paper was so expensive, students were given slate tablets and chalk to use for writing so that the slate could be cleaned and reused. Students would typically have to share their tablets with one or more other students. Additionally, because of the limited space within 19th-century schoolhouses, desks were also frequently shared.
School punishment during the 19th century gradually progressed from harsh corporal punishment to a more moral, non-physical form of discipline. Earlier punishments included paddlings and other forms of physical punishments intended to inflict pain. As societal attitudes toward punishment changed, later 19th-century teachers sought to instill discipline through techniques such as shaming and social ostracism.