Activity Overview
Movie posters are a fun way for students to boil down the most important aspects of a novel. After reading a book or play, students can 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. This example showcases the popular middle grade novel, The Stars Beneath Our Feet, but any story could be used!
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 your book that shows your understanding of the most important aspects of a novel.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify scenes, characters and/or items appropriate to your story 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.
- Save and exit when you're done.
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 or play, students can 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. This example showcases the popular middle grade novel, The Stars Beneath Our Feet, but any story could be used!
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 your book that shows your understanding of the most important aspects of a novel.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify scenes, characters and/or items appropriate to your story 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.
- Save and exit when you're done.
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 Facilitate a Gallery Walk for Student Movie Posters
Encourage students to share and discuss their posters in a gallery walk format to boost engagement and peer learning. A gallery walk allows students to showcase their creativity, gain feedback, and appreciate diverse interpretations of the text.
Arrange student posters around the room for easy viewing
Place completed posters on walls or tables so students can move freely and view each one. Ensure there is enough space between posters to prevent crowding and allow everyone a clear view.
Provide students with sticky notes or feedback forms
Give each student sticky notes or a simple feedback sheet to jot down positive comments, questions, or constructive suggestions about their peers’ work. This fosters a supportive classroom environment and encourages thoughtful reflection.
Model respectful feedback and discussion
Demonstrate how to offer specific, encouraging, and respectful feedback before the walk begins. Set clear expectations so students feel safe sharing their ideas and creativity.
Rotate students in small groups to view each poster
Organize students into small groups and have them rotate through the gallery, spending a few minutes at each poster. This ensures all posters receive attention and keeps the activity organized.
Facilitate a group reflection after the gallery walk
Lead a short discussion where students share what they noticed, learned, or were inspired by during the walk. This reinforces key themes and celebrates student effort.
Frequently Asked Questions about Movie Poster Project
What is a movie poster project for middle school students?
A movie poster project is a creative assignment where students design a poster for a novel or play they’ve read, highlighting key elements like setting, characters, themes, and a main scene. It encourages students to show their understanding through art and summary skills.
How do you create a book-themed movie poster in the classroom?
To create a book-themed movie poster, students identify important scenes or themes, select main characters and settings, and artfully arrange them on a poster. They should include the title, author, tagline, and a brief critic’s review to capture the essence of the story.
What should be included in a student-made movie poster for a novel?
A student-made movie poster should include the book’s title and author, main characters, setting, a significant scene or theme, a catchy tagline, and a short critic’s review explaining what makes the story compelling.
Why are movie poster projects effective for novel studies in grades 6-8?
Movie poster projects help middle school students analyze literature by summarizing essential story elements, fostering creativity, and encouraging them to present and justify their choices, deepening their understanding of the novel.
Are there templates available for classroom movie poster assignments?
Yes, movie poster templates are available to help students structure their designs and focus on essential elements like scenes, characters, and taglines, making the assignment more accessible and visually appealing.
More Storyboard That Activities
Middle School Projects
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
