Activity Overview
Movie posters are a fun way for students to boil down the most important aspects of a novel. After reading Sounder, 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 Sounder.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify scenes, characters, items and /or animals appropriate to Sounder 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 Sounder, 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 Sounder.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify scenes, characters, items and /or animals appropriate to Sounder 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 Movie Poster Activity for Sounder
How to Lead a Class Discussion on Students’ Movie Posters
Facilitate a discussion where each student presents their poster to the class. Encourage students to explain their creative choices and the scene or theme they highlighted. This boosts speaking skills and allows classmates to appreciate different interpretations of the novel.
Ask open-ended questions about each poster
Prompt students with questions like, “What inspired your tagline?” or “How does your chosen scene capture the main theme?” This encourages deeper thinking and helps students practice supporting their ideas with evidence from the book.
Encourage peer feedback in a positive way
Guide students to give constructive compliments such as, “I liked how you showed the setting in your artwork.” This builds classroom community and helps students learn from each other’s creativity.
Connect poster elements back to key novel themes
Highlight how different posters reflect important themes or character development in Sounder. This reinforces literary analysis and deepens comprehension of the text.
Wrap up with a reflection activity
Have students write a short paragraph or discuss what they learned from viewing classmates’ posters. Reflection helps solidify understanding and celebrates their creative efforts.
Frequently Asked Questions about Movie Poster Activity for Sounder
What is a Sounder movie poster activity for students?
The Sounder movie poster activity is a creative lesson where students design a movie poster based on the novel Sounder. This project helps students identify key scenes, characters, and themes, and encourages them to visually summarize the story while practicing artistic and analytical skills.
How do I guide students to create a movie poster for Sounder?
To guide students, ask them to select important scenes, characters, or themes from Sounder, then arrange these elements on a poster. Include the book’s title, author, a catchy tagline, and a short critic’s review. Encourage creativity and have students present their choices to the class.
What should be included in a Sounder movie poster assignment?
A Sounder movie poster should include the book’s title and author, relevant characters or scenes, a creative slogan or tagline, and a brief critic’s review explaining why the story is compelling. Students can also use images or symbols that represent key themes or events.
Why is creating a movie poster an effective book project for elementary students?
Creating a movie poster helps elementary students synthesize important story elements, build visual literacy, and express comprehension in a hands-on, engaging way. It also develops presentation skills and creative thinking.
Are there templates available for a Sounder movie poster assignment?
Yes, you can find movie poster templates online or through educational resources to help students organize their ideas for the Sounder assignment. Templates can provide helpful frameworks for layout, titles, and review sections.
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