Activity Overview
Movie posters are a fun way for students to boil down the most important aspects of a novel. After reading Inside Out and Back Again, 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 Inside Out and Back Again.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify scenes, characters, items and /or animals appropriate to Inside Out and Back Again 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 introduction.
- 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 Inside Out and Back Again, 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 Inside Out and Back Again.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify scenes, characters, items and /or animals appropriate to Inside Out and Back Again 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 introduction.
- 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 Inside Out and Back Again Movie Poster
Plan a Class Gallery Walk for Movie Posters
Arrange students’ finished posters around the classroom or hallway for a gallery walk experience. This lets students see peers’ work and sparks discussion about different interpretations.
Set Clear Expectations for Poster Presentations
Explain what makes a strong presentation, like speaking clearly, referencing poster details, and sharing creative choices. Review these expectations before presentations begin.
Assign Peer Review Roles During the Gallery Walk
Give each student or group a peer review checklist. Encourage them to note specific strengths and one suggestion for improvement on each poster they visit.
Facilitate a Reflective Class Discussion
Lead a whole-class conversation about common themes, creative ideas, and insights gained from the posters. Celebrate unique approaches and thoughtful connections to the novel.
Frequently Asked Questions about Inside Out and Back Again Movie Poster
What is the Inside Out and Back Again movie poster activity for middle school students?
The Inside Out and Back Again movie poster activity is a creative assignment where students design a poster based on the novel, highlighting the setting, characters, key scenes, or themes. It helps students summarize and interpret the story visually, often including a title, author, catchy tagline, and a critic’s review.
How do you create a movie poster for Inside Out and Back Again in the classroom?
To create a movie poster for Inside Out and Back Again, students choose significant scenes or themes, add the book’s title and author, craft a catchy slogan, and write a brief critic’s review. Teachers can assign different chapters or scenes to each student and display finished posters in the classroom.
What elements should be included in a student-made movie poster for a novel?
A student-made movie poster should feature the title and author, compelling visuals of characters or scenes, a tagline, and a short critic’s review explaining why the story is engaging.
Why use movie poster projects to teach novels like Inside Out and Back Again?
Movie poster projects engage students in visual storytelling and critical thinking, helping them synthesize key story elements. They also encourage creativity and allow students to demonstrate understanding in a unique, memorable way.
Where can I find templates for student movie poster assignments?
You can find movie poster templates for student assignments online or by exploring educational resource websites. Many platforms offer customizable templates that make it easy for students to get started on their projects.
More Storyboard That Activities
Inside Out and Back Again
Testimonials
“By using the product, they were so excited and they learned so much...”–K-5 Librarian and Instructinal Technology Teacher
“I'm doing a Napoleon timeline and I'm having [students] determine whether or not Napoleon was a good guy or a bad guy or somewhere in between.”–History and Special Ed Teacher
“Students get to be creative with Storyboard That and there's so many visuals for them to pick from... It makes it really accessible for all students in the class.”–Third Grade Teacher
© 2025 - Clever Prototypes, LLC - All rights reserved.
StoryboardThat is a trademark of Clever Prototypes, LLC, and Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
