Want to combine language skills, graphic design skills, and engineering skills in a way that will keep your students thinking and engaged?

Here’s a 2 to 3 hour activity which is fun and hands-on, takes critical thinking skills and building skills, and refers to real-world experiences in advertising and economics. It’s perfect for upper elementary GATE and made to order for our 21st Century Learners—combining language, engineering, and graphic design. As always, these activities help meet Common Core State Standards or Next Generation Science Standards as well.

Our goal is to construct a billboard which will catch a motorist’s eye as they pass at 60 miles an hour. You’ll tailor the message of the billboard to the content of your classroom. We do a lot with advertising and engineering in my classroom, but this activity can be used as an introduction to both of these areas or even as an independent project.

I use this activity with my 5th grade GATE students, and I believe you will find it is most appropriate for 4th-7th grades.
You’ll need craft sticks, glue, large notecards or cardstock, and markers to get going. I estimate the cost to be less than 50 cents per student.