Once the Nazi Party came to power, they took over and influenced the education system during the time that I was growing up. Private schools were closed and any teacher that did not support Nazism was replaced by the Nazi officials. If anyone, (including students such as I) were suspicious of the ways of a teacher, we could report the teacher to the SS Gestapo. I later realized that this was what had most likely happened to Mrs. Fischer. Throughout the war, over 90% of the teachers in Germany had joined the Nazi Teachers' Association. There were few male teachers, as most males had been drafted into the war. But with the teachers that did teach, Nazi ideology had to be incorporated into their lesson plans.
It was common for a kid to start Volksschule (Primary/People's school) at around age 6 or 7. You would attend Volksschule for four years. Classes were often separated by gender but not always such as at my school. After four years, the girls took a test to enter middle school (which was a six year program.) The boys would also take a test and (depending upon the school program) would go to a secondary school which was similar to a grammar school. If a boy went to such a school, it was for eight years but the boy could leave school a year early if it meant joining the military program. (That was what Heinz did when he decided to sign up.) During the war, class sizes increased and it was not uncommon to see 50 children in a classroom and many times there were more benches than desks!
At the beginning of each day, when the teacher entered the classroom, we would stand up and salute the teacher. (If we ran into the teacher outside of school, it was also expected that we salute them there.) We would then turn to the portrait of the Fuhrer (which was at the front of the classroom) and give the "Heil Hitler" salute. We did this at the beginning of each lesson. Uniforms were not required but we were all expected to dress respectably. Us girls usually wore a long pleated skirt or dress. We were only expected to wear our Hitler Youth uniforms on special occasions such as April 20th (Hitler's birthday) and November 9th (Beer Hall Putsch remembrance.)
In 1935, all Jewish children were expelled from public schools and Jewish teachers were fired. While I was only there to see the Polish children banned, I was not in school yet to see any Jewish children vanish. Heinz was in school but I had never thought about asking him.
History- We were taught about the Aryan "Master" Race and how German's today were not as powerful because our genes had been mixed in with other ethnicities. World War I was explained to us as the work of spies (Jewish and Marxist.) The Treaty of Versailles (which limited our government) was explained that the rest of the nations and countries were jealous and afraid of Germany's power. Overall, History had been taught to us differently than it is taught to my great grandchildren now.
Biology- Explained Nazi racial beliefs. We studied the different types of races and compared them to the Aryan race. From the age we started school, we began being brain washed. We were taught the problems of heredity and that inter-racial marriage could do nothing but cause a decline in the pureness of our race.
Geography- Along with History, Geography emphasized the "injustice" of the Treaty of Versailles.They taught and showed the land that this Treaty had taken away from Germany. Us students took a great part in Geography because many teachers would have a large map on one of the classroom walls and, depending on how the teacher wanted it done, we would mark/tack the map.
Science/Physics- The art and study of weapon making and how you would use them. The boys would be taught about shooting the weapons, bridge building, gasses, and many other aspects that would prepare them for when they were to join the military. Us girls would study about domestic science. We would learn how to be the perfect wife and mother.
P.E.- The importance of physical activity increased during the Third Reich. But I cannot compare it to anything previous because that was all I had known. We were given fitness tests and they were so important that if you failed them you could be expelled from your school. If you were not expelled, you would be the laughing stock of your school.
Writing- A great emphasis was also put on our writing and how we spelled. I guess since we were the future, we had to show how smart and educated we were.
Other Studies- Right before I joined school, Religious studies were common but in 1935, they were dropped. Race studies started to be imported into the curriculum.
Groups- In the 1930's there were many groups to be in. I was even given the choice of being in a religious group. But since my family was not a very religious one, I did not join. I wanted to join the Hitler Youth, as did many other kids my age.
It was common for a kid to start Volksschule (Primary/People's school) at around age 6 or 7. You would attend Volksschule for four years. Classes were often separated by gender but not always such as at my school. After four years, the girls took a test to enter middle school (which was a six year program.) The boys would also take a test and (depending upon the school program) would go to a secondary school which was similar to a grammar school. If a boy went to such a school, it was for eight years but the boy could leave school a year early if it meant joining the military program. (That was what Heinz did when he decided to sign up.) During the war, class sizes increased and it was not uncommon to see 50 children in a classroom and many times there were more benches than desks!
At the beginning of each day, when the teacher entered the classroom, we would stand up and salute the teacher. (If we ran into the teacher outside of school, it was also expected that we salute them there.) We would then turn to the portrait of the Fuhrer (which was at the front of the classroom) and give the "Heil Hitler" salute. We did this at the beginning of each lesson. Uniforms were not required but we were all expected to dress respectably. Us girls usually wore a long pleated skirt or dress. We were only expected to wear our Hitler Youth uniforms on special occasions such as April 20th (Hitler's birthday) and November 9th (Beer Hall Putsch remembrance.)
In 1935, all Jewish children were expelled from public schools and Jewish teachers were fired. While I was only there to see the Polish children banned, I was not in school yet to see any Jewish children vanish. Heinz was in school but I had never thought about asking him.
History- We were taught about the Aryan "Master" Race and how German's today were not as powerful because our genes had been mixed in with other ethnicities. World War I was explained to us as the work of spies (Jewish and Marxist.) The Treaty of Versailles (which limited our government) was explained that the rest of the nations and countries were jealous and afraid of Germany's power. Overall, History had been taught to us differently than it is taught to my great grandchildren now.
Biology- Explained Nazi racial beliefs. We studied the different types of races and compared them to the Aryan race. From the age we started school, we began being brain washed. We were taught the problems of heredity and that inter-racial marriage could do nothing but cause a decline in the pureness of our race.
Geography- Along with History, Geography emphasized the "injustice" of the Treaty of Versailles.They taught and showed the land that this Treaty had taken away from Germany. Us students took a great part in Geography because many teachers would have a large map on one of the classroom walls and, depending on how the teacher wanted it done, we would mark/tack the map.
Science/Physics- The art and study of weapon making and how you would use them. The boys would be taught about shooting the weapons, bridge building, gasses, and many other aspects that would prepare them for when they were to join the military. Us girls would study about domestic science. We would learn how to be the perfect wife and mother.
P.E.- The importance of physical activity increased during the Third Reich. But I cannot compare it to anything previous because that was all I had known. We were given fitness tests and they were so important that if you failed them you could be expelled from your school. If you were not expelled, you would be the laughing stock of your school.
Writing- A great emphasis was also put on our writing and how we spelled. I guess since we were the future, we had to show how smart and educated we were.
Other Studies- Right before I joined school, Religious studies were common but in 1935, they were dropped. Race studies started to be imported into the curriculum.
Groups- In the 1930's there were many groups to be in. I was even given the choice of being in a religious group. But since my family was not a very religious one, I did not join. I wanted to join the Hitler Youth, as did many other kids my age.