As you build classroom community during the first few weeks of school it is always interesting to learn about what your students did over their summer vacation. In this activity, students will create a poster advertisement for their favorite summer spot. Teachers can show students current and vintage advertisements to brainstorm the types of catchy headlines and imagery to use. Students will think of their favorite place they went to over the summer: it could be the beach or pool, a national park or an amusement park, a friend's house or their own home! When encouraging students to share, it is important to recognize that some students may travel while others may stay close to home in the summertime. This example purposefully uses a place that is typically available to anyone over the summer no matter their circumstances or where they live: the public library. Students will use the creator to add scenes, characters and items, a headline, and short description that advertises why their chosen spot is a great place to visit in the summer!
For additional templates to add to this assignment, see our travel poster templates and template gallery.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a poster advertising your favorite summer spot!
Student Instructions:
Requirements: Headline, short description, and images of your favorite summer spot!
Display the finished travel posters around the room and invite students to walk around and view each other's work. This promotes classroom community and gives students a chance to celebrate their peers' creativity.
Provide students with sticky notes and ask them to leave encouraging or thoughtful comments on at least three posters. This fosters a supportive learning environment and helps students practice giving constructive feedback.
Gather the class after the walk and lead a discussion about what they learned about their classmates’ favorite summer spots. This builds empathy and helps students make new connections with peers.
Ask students to locate their chosen summer spots on a classroom map or share interesting facts about those places. This activity links personal experiences to curriculum content in a meaningful way.
The 'My Favorite Summer Spot Travel Poster' is a back-to-school activity where students create a poster advertising their favorite place they visited over the summer. The lesson helps build classroom community and encourages students to share personal summer experiences through creative design and writing.
Start by showing current and vintage travel ads to inspire students. Ask them to choose a summer spot—like the beach, park, or library—and create a poster with a catchy headline, brief description, and images. Encourage inclusion of scenes, symbols, or maps, and remind students to highlight what makes their chosen place special.
Offering inclusive options ensures all students can participate, regardless of travel opportunities. By suggesting places like the public library or a local park, every student can share meaningful experiences, fostering equity and a sense of belonging in the classroom.
Students should include a headline, a short description of their favorite summer spot, and engaging images or illustrations. Adding scenes, characters, symbols, maps, or items helps make the poster more appealing and informative.
You can find travel poster templates and a template gallery on Storyboard That. These resources help students get started quickly and provide creative inspiration for their summer spot posters.