Section 1 P108-111
What does the signmaker do when people thank him?
What does this tell you about the signmaker?
He says he couldn't have done it without Norman's help.
He is modest.
Why does everyone believe the sign that says "No School Today"?
People do whatever the signmaker's sign say.
People trust the signmaker's signs.
Read aloud the three signs on p.116 and look at the illustrations. Talk about why Norman's signs are funny.
The signs tell people to do silly things.
What happens after the townspeople realise that they have been tricked?
They become angry and tear down the signs.
What does Norman do after he puts up the new signs?What does this tell you about how he is feeling now?
He returns all his presents and clears away the garbage at the grocery store.
Very sorry, ashamed.
What do you do if you are someone's assistant?
How does Norman help the signmaker?
You help them.
He cuts wood, mixes colours, paints simple signs, and cleans brushes.
What happened after Norman sees the children go home from school?
He looks around for another idea for a sign.
Look at the illustrations on pp. 117-119. Why does the author not write about what the townpeople are doing.
The illustration shows people doing silly things, and the signs in the pictures explain what they are doing.
What will happen in Norman's town without signs?
Trouble starts for the townspeople.
Why does Norman pack his things?
He is leaving the signmaker's shop for good because he is ashamed of what he has done.
On p.114, what does Norman's sign tell the children to do? Tell how you know?
The illustration shows children swimming in the fountain, and the sign says Open for Swimming.
They think he made the signs that have caused so much trouble.
The town is in danger without the signmaker and his signs.
Look at the picture on p.125. What is Norman's last sign? What effect does it have?
his last sign asks people not to blame the signmaker. People forgive the signmaker and Norman.
What does the signmaker do when he must go out of town?
What does the signmaker think about Norman?
He asks Norman to lock up the shop.
The signmaker things he can trust Norman to take care of the shop.
Since the signmaker is the person who usually paints all their signs, they assume he is the one who has tricked them. They don't know that it was Norman.
What do you think the townpeople learn about following signs?
They learn that it is foolish to follow signs without thinking, and that they must decide for themselves what to do.
Think about the two signs that Norman has made so far.
What kinds of signs do you think Norman will make while the signmaker is away?
signs that tell people to do what Norman wants
Ideas in symbols
brush: the symbol of Norman's decision to do something on his own without asking the signmaker.
What does cleaning the brushes stand for at the end of the story?
Cleaning the brushes is a symbol of Norman's wish to wash away his bad decision and make a fresh start, to do what the signmaker asks of him.