Activity Overview
Movie posters are a fun way for students to boil down the most important aspects of a novel. After reading a book students will create a movie poster that showcases the setting, characters, a chosen scene or overarching themes of the story. This example showcases the popular upper elementary novel The Wild Robot but teachers and students can use this activity for any story they wish! 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. Students can elaborate further and include more writing by describing the story as well.
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.
Teachers, don't forget, you can add as many templates as you wish to provide students with choice! 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 a book..
Student Instructions:
- Identify scenes, characters, items and /or animals appropriate to your book 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 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 a book students will create a movie poster that showcases the setting, characters, a chosen scene or overarching themes of the story. This example showcases the popular upper elementary novel The Wild Robot but teachers and students can use this activity for any story they wish! 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. Students can elaborate further and include more writing by describing the story as well.
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.
Teachers, don't forget, you can add as many templates as you wish to provide students with choice! 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 a book..
Student Instructions:
- Identify scenes, characters, items and /or animals appropriate to your book 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 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 Movie Poster Project
How to Lead a Peer Review for Student Movie Posters
Encourage students to give and receive feedback by organizing a structured peer review. This boosts critical thinking and helps students improve their work before final presentation.
Set clear peer review guidelines
Explain what makes helpful feedback, such as focusing on strengths and offering specific suggestions for improvement. Clear guidelines ensure feedback stays positive and constructive.
Pair or group students strategically
Assign partners or small groups to review each other's posters. Mix skill levels for balanced perspectives and supportive learning.
Provide a feedback form or checklist
Distribute a simple checklist with questions like: Does the poster show key story elements? Is the design creative? Is the tagline compelling? This helps students focus their reviews.
Model giving feedback before students begin
Demonstrate how to offer kind, specific feedback by reviewing a sample poster as a class. This sets expectations and builds students' confidence.
Facilitate sharing and reflection
Allow time for students to discuss feedback with their peers and reflect on what changes they want to make. This step encourages thoughtful revision and deeper learning.
Frequently Asked Questions about Movie Poster Project
What is a movie poster project for the classroom?
A movie poster project is a creative classroom activity where students design a poster for a book they've read, highlighting key elements like setting, characters, themes, and scenes. It helps students summarize and showcase their understanding of the story in a visual, engaging way.
How do I create a book-themed movie poster with my students?
To create a book-themed movie poster, have students choose important scenes or themes from a story, then design a poster including the title, author, main characters, a catchy tagline, and a critic’s review. Let them use templates for guidance and encourage creativity with art and descriptions.
What should be included in a student movie poster project?
A student movie poster project should include the book title, author, main characters, setting, a key scene or theme, a creative slogan or tagline, and a short critic's review explaining why others should read or watch the story.
Why are movie poster projects effective for teaching novels in elementary school?
Movie poster projects are effective because they encourage creativity, comprehension, and critical thinking. Students must distill the book's main ideas, practice summarizing, and express their understanding visually, making learning memorable and fun.
Where can I find templates for book movie poster assignments?
You can find movie poster templates for classroom assignments online, through educational resource websites, or by using the templates provided with this activity. Templates help students get started and offer design inspiration for their posters.
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