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:
Encourage students to reflect on their learning by setting aside quiet time after the storyboard activity for each student to jot down what new ideas they learned and any questions that remain. This helps solidify understanding and promotes metacognition.
Lead a whole-class review of the storyboards and ask students to spot any scientific misunderstandings or errors. Discuss these as a group to clarify concepts and build a growth mindset in your classroom.
Ask students to relate their classification arguments to situations outside of school, such as classifying animals at the zoo or sorting items at home. This makes learning relevant and helps students see the value of scientific thinking beyond the classroom.
Pair students or small groups to review each other's storyboards and offer constructive feedback on the clarity and accuracy of arguments. This builds communication skills and encourages respectful, evidence-based discussion.
End the lesson with a simple exit ticket where students write one thing they learned and one question they still have about classification. Use these responses to inform your next lesson and address any lingering confusion.
A classification discussion storyboard is a visual activity where students share, critique, and evaluate different viewpoints about a science topic. It helps students identify what they know, raise questions, and clarify misconceptions through collaborative discussion and visual storytelling.
Enable Real Time Collaboration on your storyboard assignment so students can work together live. Students each contribute their ideas, represented by unique characters, and discuss their reasoning, fostering deeper understanding and communication.
Discussion storyboards let students express and defend their ideas visually and verbally, making it easier for teachers to spot and address misconceptions. Students learn by explaining their thinking and considering alternative viewpoints.
Set clear discussion rules so everyone participates respectfully. Use small groups or pairs for focused dialogue, and encourage students to explain their reasoning using formal language and evidence from the storyboard.
After copying the blank template, add your specific problem and possible solutions to align with your lesson goals. Students can then use the template to create and discuss their own responses.