Learning goals
We are learning to…
- show an understanding of the relationship between the message and purpose of a text, the form, the audience, and the creator.
- use effective listening skills by expressing interest, asking a variety of questions, and restating what we heard
- show an understanding of the relationship between images and graphics, and the text
- identify the topic, purpose and audience for simple texts we plan to create
- brainstorm and develop ideas about various topics using simple strategies and using resources, our own learning and our own experiences
Success criteria
I am able to…
- show an understanding of the relationship between images and graphics of a billboard advertisement for Big Top Academy, and use that understanding to create a clear message for an audience
- use effective listening skills by expressing interest, asking a variety of questions, and restating what I learned after watching a Big Top Academy performance or show
- identify the topic, purpose and audience for a billboard advertisement for Big Top Academy
- brainstorm using simple strategies and develop ideas about various topics using resources, our own learning, and our own experiences
What’s the message?
Explore the following advertisement. What do you notice? What do you wonder?
Three circus performers on aerial silks, all dressed alike. There are rows of star shapes placed around the advertisement. A banner reads: "Big Top Academy". Below the banner, the text says: "Come enjoy the show at the Performing Arts Centre on May 5th! Tickets sold at the door."
Press Advertisement to reveal a definition of the word.
Ads are messages that tell us about things like toys, movies, or fun events. They can appear in different ways, like in newspapers (print media), on TV (broadcast media), on the computer (digital media), or even on big signs outside (out-of-home media). Advertisements can also be called ads.
Advertisements
A poster with the word "AD" and a child sitting with headphones on. Next to the poster are four questions: Who is it for? What are they selling? Connection to the product? Whose point of view?
In the Minds On, we explored an advertisement.
The main purpose of advertisements is to grab people’s attention, to encourage people to buy a product, to invite people to attend an event, or to learn new information.
Advertisements or ads can be found in different kinds of media, such as:
- Print media (e.g., books, magazines)
- Broadcast media (e.g., television, radio)
- Digital media (e.g., websites, podcasts)
- Out-of-home media (e.g., billboards, posters)
Most media texts use one or more of the following to share a message:
- words
- sounds
- images
- shapes
Advertisements use different ways to try to get us to buy their product.
One way is to tell a story that gets the viewer to feel curious and ask questions. This helps people become interested.
The following advertisement is a billboard for a performance or show by the Big Top Academy performers.
It uses images, colours, and words.
But as a viewer, we need more information on what this ad is trying to tell us.
Three circus performers on aerial silks, all dressed alike. There are rows of star shapes placed around the advertisement. A banner reads: "Big Top Academy". Below the banner, the text says: "Come enjoy the show at the Performing Arts Centre on May 5th! Tickets sold at the door."
Press Billboard to learn more about billboard advertisements!
Billboards are put up in busy areas or along roads. They are large boards that show a picture sharing information about a product, place, show, or business.
These days, you may also notice digital billboards. Digital billboards are screens that show images that can be changed using a computer.
Billboards use images, shapes, and words to share information with the viewer.
Be an advertiser
Imagine that Big Top Academy has asked you to help them complete their billboard advertisement for the show. They want you to add:
- describing words
- fun details about their show
Adjectives
An adjective is a describing word that describes a noun.
A noun is a word that names a person, place, thing or idea.
For example, if we were describing a pineapple:
We can use any of the five senses to help us describe.
Our five senses can help us find describing words to use.
A slice of pizza with the words "smells" and "yummy". A piece of cake with the words "tastes" and "sweet". A mouse with the words "sounds" and "quiet". A cat with the words "feels" and "soft". A building with the words "tall" and "size".
Learning check!
For each sentence, select the missing adjective from the drop-down menu. Press Check Answer to see how you did.
Big Top Academy
Advertisers always do their research!
It’s important to know about the product or event before creating an ad that fits.
Let’s watch the following performance or show by Big Top Academy to get some ideas of what it is all about.
As you watch:
- think about how you feel (e.g., excited, happy, curious, or other feelings)
- think about any special words you might use to describe the show
- think about who is in the audience and who this show is for
You may also use the fillable and printable Word Web in your notebook or using the following document to record your thoughts. If you would like, you can use speech-to-text or audio recording tools.
Press Example to reveal a completed word web.
If possible, share your thoughts about the performance with a partner.
Putting it all together
Time to add information to your billboard plan for the Big Top Academy show.
Make sure you include:
- a title (e.g., Big Top Academy Show)
- adjectives or describing words
- pictures or shapes (e.g., stars)
- colour
Complete the fillable and printable Billboard Plan in your notebook or using the following document.
If you would like, you can use speech-to-text or audio recording tools to record your thoughts.
Press Word Bank to reveal adjectives that can be used for your billboard!
- cool
- fun
- great
- exciting
- amazing
- creative
Once complete, use the following checklist to check your billboard plan.
I added the following to my billboard plan to catch a viewer’s attention:
If possible, share your billboard plan with a partner. Are your billboard plans similar or different?
Adjective review
Let’s review what we learned about adjectives!
For each sentence, select the missing word from the drop-down menu. Press Check Answer to see how you did.
Reflection
How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity? Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.
I feel...
Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.