In Phaedra Mastrocola’s art class, fourth grade artists are discovering that posters are far more than decoration, they are powerful tools of communication.

As an introduction to their spring unit on Public Art & Advertising Design, students began by deconstructing several iconic historical posters, including I Want You for the U.S. Army (Uncle Sam), We Can Do It (Rosie the Riveter), and the Hope poster from Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign. Through close observation and discussion, students identified the essential elements of effective poster design: color, image, text, and composition.

They also learned about the practical side of poster-making. Historically, many posters were created using lithography or screen printing and often featured limited color palettes, frequently three colors or fewer, due to cost and technical constraints. This limitation, they discovered, often made designs bolder, clearer, and more impactful.

Building on this foundation, students visited Poster House for a guided tour of The Future Was Then: The Changing Face of Fascist Italy. The trip offered meaningful connections to their social studies curriculum on immigration, coming on the heels of their visit to the Tenement Museum and ahead of their upcoming exploration of Ellis Island. By examining the same historical era through visual culture, students gained a broader understanding of how art and politics intersect.

During the tour, students engaged with clear, age-appropriate discussions about propaganda and fascism while analyzing posters within their historical context. They explored commercial advertisements for products such as Fiat cars and discovered how these designs carried political messaging, portraying Italy as strong, modern, and full of promise.

The section focused on Benito Mussolini sparked particularly thoughtful discussion, as students questioned why he was depicted in particular poses, what qualities the posters aimed to highlight, and why a government might want to present a leader as powerful and visionary. These conversations led to meaningful insights about how visual propaganda can influence public opinion and shape national identity.

Through careful analysis and critical thinking, BC’s fourth graders are learning not only how to design powerful posters, but also how to thoughtfully interpret the messages images convey.

View the Field Trip Photo Gallery Here