Discussion storyboards are a great way to get your students talking about their ideas in science! They allow students to critique and evaluate different viewpoints in a respectful and cooperative manner. This activity can be used at the start of the topic to identify what students already know about the topic, what questions they have and dispel any misconceptions students may have. The discussion storyboard can be downloaded as a Power Point presentation, printed or displayed digitally and serve as a visual guide that students can refer to as they progress through the unit.
Teachers may wish for students to work together on the discussion storyboard which is possible with Storyboard That's Real Time Collaboration feature! With Real Time Collaboration, students can work on the same storyboard at the same time which is perfect for this lesson! As teachers know, collaborating on assignments allows students to think on a deeper level while increasing their communication and problem-solving skills. Collaboration can also help cut down on the time it takes to complete a storyboard. While there is no set limit to the number of users who can work on a storyboard at once, we recommend five users or fewer for optimal performance. All of our assignments default to individual. To make this lesson collaborative, teachers must enable collaboration for the assignment within the "Edit Assignment" tab.
Teachers can begin by showing students the example discussion storyboard and ask them to look at the problem presented in the first cell. The following cells show four students who all have an idea about the problem in front of them. Students should think about whom they think is the most correct and be prepared to explain why that person is correct. In the collaborative storyboard, students can find a character within the Creator that looks like themselves, add it to a cell along with their name in the bottom text box and their argument in the speech bubble.
After students have created their storyboard, they can further discuss their ideas. This discussion can be carried out in a range of different formats. Students could discuss in pairs, small groups, or even in a teacher-led, entire class setting. It is important to agree on a list of discussion rules with students before they start so everybody gets a chance to participate. Students will also be able to practice adapting their speech to a formal debating context and can demonstrate their grasp of formal English.
Here are some other ideas to use these discussion storyboards in your lessons.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
After previewing the example discussion storyboard that shows four students who all have an idea about the problem in front of them, you will create your own discussion storyboard with your peers.
Student Instructions:
Establishing ground rules before discussions encourages respectful participation and helps every student feel valued. Involve students in creating a short list of rules, like listening without interrupting, using kind language, and backing up opinions with evidence. Display these rules in the classroom as a reminder during activities.
Show students how to offer feedback that is both supportive and helpful. Use sentence starters such as “I agree with you because…” or “Have you considered…?” Practice as a class so students feel confident providing input during storyboarding.
Give each student a specific role—like facilitator, summarizer, or questioner—to keep group conversations focused and fair. Rotating roles each session lets everyone build different communication skills and ensures all voices are heard.
Provide sentence frames such as “One idea is…”, “I disagree because…”, or “My evidence is…”. This supports students of all levels in clearly expressing ideas and reasoning during science discussions and storyboarding.
Lead a quick class reflection on what went well and how everyone followed the discussion rules. Invite students to share what they learned about acids and bases, and how their thinking changed. This reinforces respectful communication and deepens understanding.
A discussion storyboard for acids and bases is a visual tool where students share, critique, and refine their understanding of the topic by representing different viewpoints in storyboard cells. It helps identify prior knowledge, address misconceptions, and encourages collaborative learning.
Start your lesson by showing an example discussion storyboard about acids and bases. Let students review each viewpoint, select which is most accurate, and add their own ideas in the storyboard. This process sparks inquiry and highlights misconceptions early in the unit.
Real-time collaboration lets students work together on the same storyboard, boosting communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills. It also saves time and helps students learn from their peers' perspectives.
To make your storyboard lesson collaborative, go to the "Edit Assignment" tab and enable the collaboration feature. This allows multiple students to contribute to the same storyboard in real time.
Yes! Discussion storyboards are effective for surfacing and correcting misconceptions. By comparing different student ideas, teachers and peers can clarify misunderstandings and reinforce accurate scientific concepts about acids and bases.