Shopping Around
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Approach:  One to one
ACCESS
Level: Year 4 and year 8
Focus: Comprehending literal meaning; appreciating the writer’s
use of language		  
Resources:
6 pictures of shop signs  
FRAME 392Kb
Questions/instructions:  

Shops have all sorts of interesting signs. They usually tell us something about the shops. I’m going to show you pictures of some shop signs. As you look at each picture try to do two things: read to me the words on the sign, then tell me what you think the sign means.  [Click on pictures below to enlarge.]

Show student each picture in order from 1 to 6. Say, “Here is picture number 1 (2, 3, etc.) ”. Ask the two questions for each sign (below). Don’t give help with reading words. Do give encouragement to try.

1. Read the words on the sign.
2. Tell me what you think the sign means.



% responses
2008 ('04)
y4
y8
Sign 1: Read words on sign accurately:    
all
90 (88)
98 (98)
most
9 (11)
2 (2)
few or none
1 (1)
0 (0)
 
Mentions:
shop is open
71 (73)
82 (81)
sells ice-cream (Deep South brand)
72 (70)
80 (79)
 
Sign 2:

 Read words on sign accurately:
all
53 (60)
81 (80)
most
43 (37)
19 (18)
few or none
4 (3)
0 (2)
  Mentions:
shop sells Subway sandwiches/rolls
27 (21)
34 (31)
tasty, nice to eat sandwiches
24 (28)
43 (32)
good idea to eat Subway (healthy, good, fresh)
29 (47)
64 (65)
 
Sign 3:
 Read words on sign accurately:
all
51 (54)
85 (85)
most
45 (42)
15 (15)
few or none
4 (4)
0 (0)

Mentions:
place to use computers (for email, internet, games)
36 (35)
68 (55)
fast, quick computer connection
23 (24)
62 (43)

Sign 4:
 Read words on sign accurately:
all
62 (51)
85 (93)
all (but ‘Appointment’ is read
as ‘Appointments’)
3 (6)
6 (2)
most
27 (33)
9 (5)
few or none
8 (10)
0 (0)

Mentions:
haircuts for men
66 (60)
78 (80)
just walk in (no appointment)
42 (42)
90 (87)
two people can have haircut at same time
25 (32)
31 (31)

Sign 5:
 Read words on sign accurately:
all
49 (51)
86 (87)
most
45 (41)
14 (11)
few or none
6 (8)
0 (2)
Mentions:
Bob buys other people’s things
7 (4)
36 (45)
 
Sign 6: Read words on sign accurately:
all (including Wellington City Council)
17 (17)
51 (46)
all (excluding Wellington City Council)
26 (22)
34 (37)
most
53 (57)
15 (17)
few or none
4 (4)
0 (0)
Mentions:
dogs not allowed
81 (83)
91 (93)
place (central city) not allowed
33 (31)
61 (71)
time not allowed (8am – 6pm) every day
35 (28)
71 (70)

Total score:
23–28
4 (6)
43 (36)
20–22
20 (15)
32 (36)
17–19
23 (25)
19 (20)
14–16
22 (28)
3 (8)
0–13
31 (26)
3 (0)
Subgroup Analysis [Click on charts to enlarge] :
Year 4
Year 8
Commentary:
More than 40% of year 4 and at least 85% of year 8 students read all words on these signs accurately. Substantially fewer students interpreted and explained the meanings of the signs. Year 4 students performed similarly in 2004 and 2008, but year 8 students did a little better in 2008 than 2004.