Activity Overview
Movie posters are a fun way for students to boil down the most important aspects of a novel. After reading Al Capone Does My Shirts, students will create a movie poster that showcases the setting, characters and a chosen scene or overarching themes of the story. Students can include the title and author of the book, a catchy tagline, and a "critic's review" informing the audience why they should go to see the movie and briefly describing the compelling story.
To make this a class assignment, consider giving each student a different chapter or scene to focus on. When students complete their posters, they can be printed out and hung in the classroom. Students should be prepared to present on the choices they made during the creation process.
For additional templates to add to this assignment, check out our movie poster templates!
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a movie poster for the book Al Capone Does My Shirts.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify scenes, characters and/or items appropriate to Al Capone Does My Shirts and arrange them artfully on the poster. You may choose to showcase a particular scene in the book or an overarching theme.
- Add the title and author of the book as well as a catchy slogan or tagline.
- Add a "critic's review": one to three sentences describing why the audience should go to see this movie and what is compelling about the story.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Text | Includes Title, Author, catchy slogan and a 1-3 sentence critic's review that accurately describes the story and why people should go to see the movie. | Missing one element of text. | Missing two or more elements of text. |
| Illustrations | Illustrations depict a scene or theme of the story with clear visuals including an appropriate scene, character, items, etc. | Illustrations depict a scene or theme from the story but are unclear or incomplete. | Illustrations do not depict a scene or theme from the story. |
Activity Overview
Movie posters are a fun way for students to boil down the most important aspects of a novel. After reading Al Capone Does My Shirts, students will create a movie poster that showcases the setting, characters and a chosen scene or overarching themes of the story. Students can include the title and author of the book, a catchy tagline, and a "critic's review" informing the audience why they should go to see the movie and briefly describing the compelling story.
To make this a class assignment, consider giving each student a different chapter or scene to focus on. When students complete their posters, they can be printed out and hung in the classroom. Students should be prepared to present on the choices they made during the creation process.
For additional templates to add to this assignment, check out our movie poster templates!
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a movie poster for the book Al Capone Does My Shirts.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify scenes, characters and/or items appropriate to Al Capone Does My Shirts and arrange them artfully on the poster. You may choose to showcase a particular scene in the book or an overarching theme.
- Add the title and author of the book as well as a catchy slogan or tagline.
- Add a "critic's review": one to three sentences describing why the audience should go to see this movie and what is compelling about the story.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Text | Includes Title, Author, catchy slogan and a 1-3 sentence critic's review that accurately describes the story and why people should go to see the movie. | Missing one element of text. | Missing two or more elements of text. |
| Illustrations | Illustrations depict a scene or theme of the story with clear visuals including an appropriate scene, character, items, etc. | Illustrations depict a scene or theme from the story but are unclear or incomplete. | Illustrations do not depict a scene or theme from the story. |
How Tos about Al Capone Does My Shirts: Create a Movie Poster
How to Facilitate Peer Feedback on Movie Posters for Deeper Learning
Encourage students to exchange their movie posters in pairs or small groups. Peer feedback helps students reflect on their creative choices and learn from each other’s perspectives.
Guide students to use a feedback template
Provide a simple form with prompts like: What stands out most? Does the poster capture the book’s key themes? What could improve? This structure keeps feedback positive and focused.
Model giving constructive, specific feedback
Demonstrate how to point out strengths and offer gentle suggestions, such as: "I love your use of color to show mood. Maybe you could add a quote to highlight the main conflict."
Have students revise their posters based on feedback
Invite students to make at least one meaningful change to their poster. This step reinforces growth and shows that feedback is valuable.
Celebrate improvements in a gallery walk
Display all the posters and let students circulate, noticing how their peers’ work has evolved. Recognizing progress builds confidence and a sense of community.
Frequently Asked Questions about Al Capone Does My Shirts: Create a Movie Poster
What is the Al Capone Does My Shirts movie poster assignment?
The Al Capone Does My Shirts movie poster assignment asks students to design a creative poster that highlights the setting, characters, and a key scene or theme from the novel. Students include the book's title, author, a catchy tagline, and a brief critic’s review to summarize why the story is compelling.
How do students create a movie poster for Al Capone Does My Shirts?
Students start by choosing a scene or theme from Al Capone Does My Shirts, then arrange related images, the title, author, a slogan, and a critic’s review on the poster. They can use provided templates and are encouraged to present their design choices to the class.
What should be included in a student-made movie poster for a novel?
A student-made movie poster should feature the book title, author, main characters, a key scene or theme, a catchy tagline, and a short critic's review explaining what makes the story appealing.
Why use movie posters as a novel study activity in middle school?
Movie poster projects help middle school students synthesize important story elements, promote creativity, and encourage them to think critically about plot, themes, and character development in a fun, visual way.
Are there templates available for creating Al Capone Does My Shirts movie posters?
Yes, teachers and students can access movie poster templates to guide the design process and make the assignment easier and more engaging for everyone.
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