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What is a Traditional Storyboard?

Storyboard Template: Traditional Storyboard Layout

A storyboard is a graphic organizer that uses images to tell a story. Originally, drawings on separate pieces of paper that told a story were pinned to a board to serve as reference for animators, filmmakers, and more. Walt Disney and Howard Hughes were some of the first to use this process. Check out this Wikipedia article for more information on the evolution of the storyboard! The traditional storyboard is a perfect start for digital storytelling, creating graphic organizers, and helping students visually reinforce their learning.


Traditional Storyboards Help You:

  • Organize Your Thoughts
  • Plan
  • Sequence
  • Tell a Story
  • Present Information


Breaking Down the Traditional Storyboard

When you open the Storyboard Creator for a new storyboard, the layout is our traditional storyboard layout. The linear direction of the cells is perfect for storytelling, explaining, and showing the passage of time.

Cell Layouts

All storyboard layouts can add an additional title and/or description. This gives the author a total of four different layout options and opens up new possibilities by adding another level of information. Check out the examples of all cell layouts in a traditional storyboard below!


Cell Layout Options



  • Cell Only
  • Cell and Title
  • Cell and Description
  • Cell, Title, and Description
Cell Layout Options

Examples of Each Cell Layout


Application: How can I use a Traditional Storyboard?

There are many uses for storyboards in the entertainment industry, the business world, and education. Here are a few ideas to get you started.


Entertainment IndustryBusiness WorldEducation
  • Plan for shots in a live-action video
    (commercial, vlog, TV show, film, etc.)
  • Pitch a product idea
  • Keep track of characters in a text
  • Plan a narrative for animation
  • Make "How-To" instructions
  • Summarize a text
  • Plan scenery for a stage production
  • Illustrate potential outcomes
  • Create a picture story
  • Plan or create a graphic novel or comic
  • Present ideas to peers and colleagues
  • Create an illustrated story


  • Classroom Use: How can I use a Traditional Storyboard in my Classroom?

    Storyboard That is an amazing tool for schools! The traditional storyboard layout is the original and most flexible layout. Below are examples across all subjects, and an additional section just for special education and IEPs.


    ELA

    History

    Foreign Language

    STEM

    • Plot Diagram
    • Character Map
    • Hero’s Journey
    • Narration of a Historical Event
    • Mini-Bio of Historical Figures
    • Summary of Important Documents
    • Dialogues
    • Plan for Film Project
    • Short Story
    • Explain Steps in an Experiment
    • Summarize Information
    • Instructions to Solve a Problem


    English Language Arts

    ELA and Storyboard That work wonders together. There are many ways you can make a book come alive with various activities using the traditional storyboard. Plus, students love coming up with their own stories and making visual presentations with the Storyboard Creator!


    Example Activities

    • Plot Diagram
    • Character Map
    • Hero’s Journey

    History

    With the combination of Photos For Class and the custom artwork from our artists, the traditional storyboard is an excellent medium for presenting historical information, important people, and current affairs.


    Example Activities

    • Narration of a Historical Event
    • Mini-Bio of Historical Figures
    • Summary of Important Documents

    Foreign Language

    Images are the same across languages! Integrating visual images with learning a new language can help reinforce vocabulary and syntax.


    Example Activities

    • Dialogues
    • Plan for a Film Project
    • Short Story

    STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

    Create your own comics to engage your students, or have your students make storyboards to explain concepts to other students.


    Example Activities

    • Explain Steps in an Experiment
    • Summarize Information
    • Instructions to Solve a Problem


    For more ideas on how to use storyboards in your classroom, look through some of our lesson plans for activities, template storyboards, and more!




    Applications for Special Education

    Storyboard That is a fun tool for everyone in the classroom, but may be particularly useful for students on IEPs and 504 plans. Graphic organizers serve as a way to structure or guide a student's thinking. The traditional storyboard makes scaffolding instruction easy and engaging!

    Storyboard That allows the creators to incorporate pictures, colors, and text into their graphic organizers. Not all students have stellar handwriting or drawing abilities. Incorporating a storyboard-style format into digital storytelling allows handwriting abilities and drawing talents to become irrelevant. All students end up with a graphic organizer they can look back on later and still be able to understand it.

    Educators can use Storyboard That to create their own customized digital assignments or print-outs. Here are a few additional ideas on when to use a traditional storyboard for special education:


    • Create visual vocabulary boards
    • Keep track of characters in a story
    • Use Storyboard That instead of a pencil and paper assignment
    • Tell a story or introduce a topic
    • Plan a piece of writing
    • Create boards for games, rewards, and communication needs

    Related Activities




    Image Attributions
    Find more storyboard activities like these in our Special Education Category!
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