organisation
 : Stamps
Approach: Station
84k
Resources: None

Questions / instructions:
Imagine that a new set of postage stamps is to be made, and that each stamp will have a picture of something which is specially New Zealand. The stamps would show what is really important and special to New Zealand, and not other countries.

  • On the stamps, write down your ideas of what the pictures would show.
  • Write one idea on each stamp — don't draw any pictures
  • The teacher is happy to help with spelling.
  % responses
y4
y8



 
Number of stamp ideas:
9
6–8
3–5
0–2
49
14
26
11
73
16
8
3
Categories of ideas used:
flowers/trees
birds/animals/fish
Mäori people
specific NZers
other people
Mäori culture/art/legends
NZ flag/map/symbols/icons
natural attractions
named cities/towns
building structures
rural life
sports events/teams
snapshots of NZ life
25
65
9
23
13
10
34
23
9
31
5
12
27
38
76
14
33
9
26
47
54
22
44
14
41
28
Number of stamps with distinctly Mäori flavour:
more than 2
1–2
0
1
16
83
4
32
64
Number of stamps judged important/special to NZ:
7–9
4–6
1–3
0
3
11
52
34
20
32
39
9

Commentary:
This task sought to investigate students' ideas about symbols and images that represent distinctive or unique features of the country and society within which they live. At year 8 about half of the students showed the ability to identify four or more strong ideas, whereas about 14 percent of year 4 students show similar ability. Very few students gave prominence to symbols or images that are distinctively Mäori.
 
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