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:
Plan a simple classroom debate on food chains using your discussion storyboard as a guide. This encourages critical thinking and respectful argumentation among students.
Choose which students will represent different viewpoints or organisms within the food chain. Clear roles help students focus their research and participation.
Establish guidelines for respectful discussion, time limits, and how to respond to opposing ideas. Rules keep debates productive and fair for all students.
Encourage students to reference their storyboard cells when making points. Visuals support their claims and keep the class engaged.
Discuss what students learned from the debate and how their thinking changed. Reflection reinforces learning and builds communication skills.
A food chains discussion storyboard is a visual activity where students share and debate ideas about food chains using illustrated storyboards. It encourages students to critique, collaborate, and identify misconceptions while building communication and critical thinking skills.
Teachers can use discussion storyboards by presenting a problem related to food chains, then asking students to represent their viewpoints in storyboard cells. This process helps students analyze different perspectives, justify their thinking, and learn through peer discussion.
Real-time collaboration lets students work on the same storyboard together, fostering deeper thinking, teamwork, and improved communication. It also helps students complete tasks more efficiently and learn from each other's ideas.
To enable collaboration, go to the “Edit Assignment” tab and turn on real-time collaboration. This allows multiple students to contribute to one storyboard, making group work more interactive and engaging.
You can have students add new cells to explain reasoning, create storyboards to address misconceptions, or design their own discussion prompts. These approaches make lessons interactive and help students deepen their understanding of food chains.