Activity Overview
Movie posters are a fun way for students to boil down the most important aspects of a novel. After reading Where the Red Fern Grows, 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 Where the Red Fern Grows .
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify scenes, characters, items and /or animals appropriate to Where the Red Fern Grows 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 Where the Red Fern Grows, 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 Where the Red Fern Grows .
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify scenes, characters, items and /or animals appropriate to Where the Red Fern Grows 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 Where the Red Fern Grows Movie Poster
How to Facilitate Thoughtful Peer Feedback on Student Movie Posters
Encourage students to exchange movie posters with a partner or small group. Structured peer feedback helps students reflect on their creative choices and gain new perspectives.
Guide students in giving specific compliments first
Ask students to identify one thing they really liked about their peer's poster, such as the use of color, tagline, or depiction of a character. This builds confidence and sets a positive tone for feedback.
Prompt students to suggest one improvement
Invite students to share one specific suggestion for making the poster even stronger, like adding a detail from the story or clarifying the setting. Constructive advice helps students revise with purpose.
Model respectful language for feedback exchanges
Demonstrate how to phrase suggestions kindly, such as “I wonder if…” or “Have you considered…?” Respectful language encourages open discussion and a growth mindset.
Wrap up with reflection and revision time
Allow students a few minutes to reflect on the feedback they received and make changes to their posters. Reflection supports deeper learning and creative confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions about Where the Red Fern Grows Movie Poster
What is a Where the Red Fern Grows movie poster assignment?
A Where the Red Fern Grows movie poster assignment asks students to design a creative poster that highlights key elements of the novel, such as its setting, characters, themes, and memorable scenes. This activity helps students summarize the story visually and encourages deeper understanding.
How can I guide students to create an effective movie poster for Where the Red Fern Grows?
To help students create a strong movie poster, encourage them to choose a meaningful scene or theme, include the book’s title and author, add a catchy tagline, and write a short critic’s review. Remind them to focus on the novel’s main characters and setting, and to be creative with their design choices.
What should be included on a Where the Red Fern Grows movie poster?
A movie poster for Where the Red Fern Grows should feature the title and author, key characters, a significant scene or theme, a catchy tagline, and a brief critic’s review explaining why the story is compelling.
Why is making a movie poster a good lesson for middle school students?
Creating a movie poster helps middle school students think critically about the novel, practice summarizing important details, and express their understanding visually. It also develops skills in analysis, creativity, and presentation.
Are there templates or resources to help students design a Where the Red Fern Grows movie poster?
Yes, there are movie poster templates available that can guide students in arranging elements like images, titles, and taglines. These resources make the assignment more accessible and help students focus on content and creativity.
More Storyboard That Activities
Where the Red Fern Grows
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
