ABSTRACT
We have seen how two distinct research traditions - the recent empirical research into teacher-pupil contact and the experimenter bias effect - have both contributed to a better understanding of the central problem of attitudes and learning. There is a third line of research which we must also consider. Classroom climate (or atmosphere) refers to the overall characteristic mood set by the teacher and the pupils in a particular classroom. We have all been to school and we can all understand what the terms mean. The two extracts which follow are taken from notes made in two primary school classrooms and are meant as a reminder of what the moment to moment reality can be like. In both classrooms a handwork lesson is going on and except for a few minutes towards the end of the second lesson only the boys of each class are present:
Room A All the boys cluster about the teacher to look at a book on the 'Wild West'. She tells them that they are going to make a model of the area shown in the book. There are going to be papier mache hills and cardboard waggons with cocktail-stick axles. A boy suggests using match-boxes and the teacher accepts this as a good idea. Some boys are finishing their English work. Others get on with a mural frieze with Wild Eill Hitchcock and other characters. Teacher organises them, 'You get out the paints and paint them while he's cutting out the waggons. That striped paper will do fine. Now, Douglas, will you cut out the flames to stick on here? You're going to make the fires. One here and one there. Now, let's clear this away. Take down the stuff about Barnaby Street and 'Pilgrim's
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Progress' there. Now we've got a space. You can draw all the guns they used and the clothes and things. Yes, and George, will - wait a minute - George, these will be better with longer ones. Yes, cut out those like Alan's doing. Now, John, - now one of you has got to make a mountain man. Who is going to do that? Alistair? Good. Right, I'll give you all a wee practice.
