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:
Facilitate a class discussion by grouping students together and setting clear expectations. Whole-class debriefs help students synthesize ideas and reinforce respectful communication.
Establish ground rules together, such as listening respectfully and letting everyone speak. Clear rules foster a safe environment for sharing and help students stay focused.
Ask questions like "Why do you agree with this idea?" or "What evidence supports your thinking?" Open-ended questions encourage deeper thinking and richer discussion.
Prompt students to add to or respectfully challenge their peers' points. This strategy promotes collaborative learning and critical thinking skills.
Conclude by highlighting main takeaways and addressing any misunderstandings. Summarizing ensures everyone leaves with a clearer grasp of the topic.
A discussion storyboard is a visual tool that helps students express and evaluate ideas about natural disasters in science class. It guides collaborative discussions, supports critical thinking, and dispels misconceptions through structured prompts and visuals.
Begin by showing students the example storyboard and prompting them to analyze different viewpoints on a natural disaster scenario. Have them add their own ideas and arguments, then discuss who they think is correct and why. This approach surfaces prior knowledge and questions early in the unit.
Collaboration boosts communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills. Working together on storyboards helps students learn from each other, deepens understanding, and makes the activity faster and more engaging.
To enable real-time collaboration, go to the assignment's "Edit Assignment" tab and switch on the collaboration option. This lets multiple students work on the same storyboard simultaneously for a more interactive lesson.
Try having students add a new cell to explain who they agree with and why, create storyboards showing and correcting misconceptions, or design their own discussion problems for peers. These variations deepen learning and foster peer teaching.