Designing a Field Code: Environmental values in primary school

Abstract

This article discusses an analysis of classroom transcriptions in the 4th grade (9 to 10 years of age) about the elaboration by pupils of a behaviour code for a field trip. Data collection involved classroom recording and observation, and analysis of students' productions. Classroom conversation was analysed in terms of triadic or true dialogue. The purpose of the study was to characterise good teaching practices in environmental education and to document, to some extent, the path from claim to behaviour or action. Results show how the pupils are able to create and justify their own rules, how they cope with conflicts and which environmental values are sustained by them.