Students began this project by viewing a variety of real print and online advertisements, and explored the use of language, humor, photographs, and design, to gain insight on what makes certain advertising strategies successful. Students then designed their own collection of ads for real and fictitious businesses and products. Each ad was created as a PowerPoint slide. Students developed skills in creativity, design, and persuasion. They learned and practiced the effective use of text in headlines, text boxes, speaking and thinking bubbles; text effects, Word Art styles, position, and rotation; working with photos, picture effects, cropping, and other modifications; layering objects; inserting and formatting shapes with outlines, fills, and textures; selecting slide design themes; using dark on light and light on dark when working with text, graphics, and backgrounds; visual appeal and strategic placement and emphasis of elements; and much more. The goals of the project were presented in the authentic context of students being “hired” for a summer internship at an advertising company. They were to prove their skills in the use of technology, creativity, and design in order to be considered for a full-time position.

1. By Mrs. Brown’s 4th Graders
Created in Technology Class with Ms. Rothfeld
May 2013

2. Dear Viewer,
The fourth graders and I would like to share with you one of our favorite projects of the
school year: student-created advertisements. The students began by viewing real print and
online advertisements, and explored the use of language, humor, photographs, and
design, to gain insight on what makes certain advertising strategies successful. Students
then designed their own collection of ads for real and fictitious businesses and products.
Each ad was created as a PowerPoint slide. Students developed skills in
creativity, design, and persuasion. They learned and practiced the effective use of text in
headlines, text boxes, speaking and thinking bubbles; text effects, Word Art
styles, position, and rotation; working with photos, picture effects, cropping, and other
modifications; layering objects; inserting and formatting shapes with outlines, fills, and
textures; selecting slide design themes; using dark on light and light on dark when working
with text, graphics, and backgrounds; visual appeal and strategic placement and emphasis of
elements; and much more.
The goals of the project were presented in the authentic context of students being “hired”
for a summer internship at an advertising company. They were to prove their skills in the use
of technology, creativity, and design in order to be considered for a full-time position.
The following slide show displays what each student chose as his or her best work. Included
are an introduction and closing with a message from “Specialty Advertising,” the fictitious
company at which students were aiming to secure a job.
Liat Rothfeld
K-4 Technology Teacher

3. To the 4th Graders in Mrs. Brown’s
class at Hillel Day
School, Farmington Hills, Michigan

4.  After reviewing your submissions, we have
reconsidered our offer. Originally, we had planned on
only accepting four of you for a full time job at our
company. However, we were not expecting the level
of talent and creativity that you showed in designing
your advertisements. We feel our company can
benefit from all of your skills in
technology, humor, design, and thinking outside the
box. We would like to offer each and every one of
you a job at our company. With your help, Specialty
Advertising will reach new levels of success.
Sincerely yours,
L.R.
Director, Specialty Advertising

5. Funny-games.biz
Mommy, are
they done
destroying
our homes?
No, the
y are
not.
Have you seen what we are doing to them? Donate money
to Anacare and save them.
Hannah G

6. Need a good doctor?
bookscape.co.uk/images
UGH, my
back hurts!
Where can I
go to get it
fixed?
Come to BLAST PAIN. No surgery, no drugs!
Call (248) 879-1100
STOP LIVING IN PAIN!!!!!
BLAST PAIN!!!
Alexis

7. Unleash the SPEED!
Funnytreat.com
Boy do I
wish for
that zebra
to SLOW
DOWN!
LEAVE ME
ALONE, Y
OU
LIONESS
YOU!!!!!!
Emily S

8. Then call FRED’S FANS and experience coolness that
you couldn’t get anywhere else!
Robert

9. Come to……..Paradise Hotel!
We like the
hotel and so
will you!  It has all
my
vacation
needs for
a great
price!
Hannah W

10. Need a home?
funnyphotos.net.au
CallCurtisBuildingCompanyat555-9823
Does anyone
have some
money?
Julia

11. STOP MONKEYING AROUND!
cbox.cz/davidbraunstein
Get Safari Internet! Isabel

12. DO YOU NEED GLASSES?
i44.photobucket.com
Yes sir. I don’t
want to get hit.
Ahhhhhhhhhhh!
So come on
down to
GEORGE’S
GLASSES
SHOP. They are
really cheap.
David N

13. Don’t stand around waiting for Dad…
Buy
HUGGIES
DIAPERS!
248-686-8968
Call
Now!
Casie

14. Get ready for the game!
cbox.cz/davidbraunstein
CallTom’sSportsGearat1-800-768-9016.
Avery

15. GOT BAD PAWS?
bookscape.co.uk/images
I really need
some snow
shoes. And a
HOT burrito.
Oh forget it.
There are no
food trucks in
Antarctica!
SAL’SSNOW
DEPARTMENTSTORE.
1-800-456-775
#WINTERWONDERLAND
Li-Li

16. This is way better than a
ferrari!
bookscape.co.uk/images
Call1-800-this–is-way
better-than-a-ferrari!!!!!
Nathan

17. Looking for a new home?
funnyphotos.net.au
Yeah, this place is
cold and wet.
Hey mom! You know we can
always go to LookingFor
Homes.com. There's great
offers and walk ins are
welcome. Just go to Rodent
Street and look for the address
34529, or call 248-823-6233.
Shay

18. Anything is possible!
Funnytreat.com
Dalia

19. Need glasses?
bookscape.co.uk/images
Where am I
going!?
I can’t see!
DirectOptical:483-2261
Julia