:Coat of Arms
Trend task
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Approach: One to one Level: Year 4 and year 8 
Focus: Symbols associated with national identity
Resources: Picture
Questions/instructions:
Show student picture.

Here is the New Zealand Coat of Arms. It can be found on a New Zealand passport and in other important places. This Coat of Arms is an official design to represent our country. It tells people something about our country.


% responses
2005 (01)
y4
y8
1. What do the things and people on the Coat of Arms tell you about our country?
Relates features to NZ history, character, place in the world:
3 or more features related appropriately
17
63
 
2 features related appropriately
21
18
1 feature related appropriately
33
15
any other response
29
4
2. Do you think it should be changed?
yes
18
15
 
no
82
85
3. What are your reasons for saying that?      
Argument for point of view:
substantial, well-expressed argument
1
4
 
moderate argument
10
22
limited argument
54
55
no argument
35
19
Ask the next question if the student says there should be changes.
4. Describe to me the changes you would make to the Coat of Arms.
Nature of change (if any):
major redesign
1
1
 
add one or more elements
10
11
no clear ideas for change
6
2
answer to question 2 was “No”
83
86
Rating of ideas for change (if any):
strong
1
1
 
moderate
5
8
weak or no clear ideas
11
5
answer to question 2 was “No”
83
86
Total score:
5–6
5
21
 
4
13
37
3
19
20
2
21
15
0–1
42
7
Commentary:
About 63 percent of year 8 students, compared to 17 percent of year 4 students, could relate three or more features of the Coat of Arms to New Zealand history, character or place in the world. More than 80 percent of both levels of students thought the current Coat of Arms should be retained. Overall, 40 percent more year 8 than year 4 students scored four or more.
 
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