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:
Let students see and touch the difference between compounds and mixtures by setting up simple experiments using common items like salt, pepper, sand, and water. Hands-on activities help students build deeper understanding and retain concepts more effectively.
Collect items such as salt, sugar, baking soda, iron filings, sand, pepper, and water. Make sure each group has the materials needed to create their own mixtures and observe how they interact. Everyday items make setup quick and budget-friendly.
Instruct students to mix two or more ingredients (like sand and iron filings), then challenge them to separate the mixture using magnets, filters, or water. This hands-on problem-solving reinforces the concept that mixtures can be physically separated, unlike compounds.
Demonstrate creating a compound by mixing baking soda and vinegar to produce carbon dioxide. Explain that a new substance is formed with different properties. Discuss the chemical change they observe, highlighting how it differs from mixtures.
Lead a discussion or have students fill out a chart comparing what they observed about mixtures and compounds. Encourage students to use their evidence from the experiments to explain the differences. Reflection deepens understanding and connects hands-on learning to classroom concepts.
A discussion storyboard is a visual tool that helps students express, critique, and build on each other's ideas about compounds and mixtures. It prompts students to analyze different viewpoints and encourages respectful, collaborative discussion in science lessons.
Students can use Real Time Collaboration features in digital storyboard tools to work together on the same discussion storyboard. This allows multiple students to add their ideas, characters, and arguments, promoting teamwork and deeper understanding of compounds and mixtures.
Discussion storyboards help students think critically, practice respectful debate, and clarify misconceptions about science concepts like compounds and mixtures. They also improve communication and problem-solving skills in a collaborative setting.
To create a collaborative assignment, first enable collaboration in your digital storyboard platform (like Storyboard That) under the "Edit Assignment" tab. Then, share the assignment so students can add their characters, names, and ideas to the storyboard together.
Yes, by reviewing students' responses and arguments in a discussion storyboard, teachers can spot and address misconceptions about compounds and mixtures early in the unit, guiding students toward accurate understanding.