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:
Assess students’ grasp of solar system concepts by observing their participation and the arguments presented in their storyboard cells. Look for accurate use of vocabulary, logical reasoning, and ability to explain ideas clearly. Use a simple rubric focusing on scientific accuracy, clarity of explanation, and respectful engagement with peers.
Check that students use correct solar system facts and terminology when expressing their opinions. Note any misconceptions for follow-up discussion. This ensures students are building a solid science foundation.
Encourage students to explain why they hold their viewpoint and justify it with evidence. Pay attention to their reasoning and coherence as they present or discuss their storyboard cell.
Watch how students engage with each other’s ideas: Are they listening, asking questions, and responding thoughtfully? Promote positive, constructive dialogue to build confidence and communication skills.
Create a checklist or rubric with categories like accuracy, clarity, and collaboration. Share criteria with students ahead of time so expectations are clear and feedback is meaningful.
A discussion storyboard activity for the solar system is a visual and interactive lesson where students share and critique ideas about space topics using storyboards. It encourages collaboration, critical thinking, and helps identify students’ prior knowledge and misconceptions about the solar system.
Enable Real Time Collaboration within Storyboard That by editing the assignment settings. This lets students work together on the same storyboard, fostering teamwork, communication, and efficient lesson completion in your science class.
Begin by showing an example storyboard and discussing the problem. Then, have students select characters, add their names and ideas, and collaborate on the storyboard. Finally, facilitate group or class discussions based on their completed storyboards.
Collaboration promotes deeper thinking, better communication, and improved problem-solving skills. In a science discussion storyboard, working together helps students consider different viewpoints and builds a respectful, interactive classroom culture.
Students can add extra cells to explain their reasoning, create storyboards to teach correct concepts, or design their own discussion prompts to share with peers. These extensions deepen understanding and encourage creative expression.