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:
Empower your students by arranging a structured debate where they use their discussion storyboards to argue and defend their ideas. This method deepens understanding while sharpening communication skills.
Establish ground rules and assign roles like moderator, speakers, and timekeeper. Clear expectations help maintain order and ensure everyone participates respectfully.
Encourage each student to review their storyboard cell and gather supporting evidence for their viewpoint. This reinforces content knowledge and prepares them for effective participation.
Lead the debate by prompting students to present, challenge, and respond to each other’s ideas. Model and reinforce respectful language throughout the activity.
After the debate, discuss what went well and what could be improved. Encourage students to share what they learned or how their ideas evolved.
A discussion storyboard is a visual teaching tool that helps students share and critique ideas about the Earth and Moon. It presents a problem, shows different viewpoints, and encourages students to evaluate and discuss which answer is most accurate, promoting critical thinking and collaboration.
Start by presenting students with a discussion storyboard containing a science problem and multiple student viewpoints. Ask students to pick which answer they think is correct and explain why. This process reveals what students know, what confuses them, and helps address misconceptions early in the unit.
1. Enable collaboration in your assignment settings. 2. Show students an example storyboard. 3. Have students choose a character, add their name, and share their idea in a speech bubble. 4. Allow students to work together in real time, then discuss as a group or class.
Collaboration helps students think deeper, strengthens communication and problem-solving skills, and allows for peer learning. Working together on discussion storyboards also saves time and makes science lessons more engaging and interactive.
Yes! Students can design their own discussion storyboards by choosing a problem related to Earth and Moon, creating viewpoints, and sharing them with peers. This encourages creativity, deeper understanding, and active participation in science lessons.