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 student comprehension by reviewing their storyboard contributions and follow-up discussions. Look for clear explanations, accurate use of vocabulary, and thoughtful engagement with peers' ideas to gauge learning progress.
Give specific, constructive feedback on each student's speech bubble or explanation. Highlight strengths and suggest ways to deepen reasoning or clarify misconceptions for future discussions.
Facilitate a brief peer review session where students exchange storyboards and offer positive comments and suggestions. This empowers students to reflect on their own thinking and learn from classmates.
Use quick formative checks—like exit tickets or think-pair-share—after the storyboard activity. This helps you identify remaining misconceptions about sound and tailor upcoming lessons accordingly.
Showcase exemplary storyboards or insightful arguments with the class. Recognizing effort and improvement motivates students and reinforces a positive classroom culture around science discussions.
A discussion storyboard activity for sound involves students visually mapping out their ideas and arguments about sound concepts. This strategy encourages students to critique, discuss, and collaborate on scientific viewpoints, helping them clarify misconceptions and deepen understanding.
Begin the lesson with a discussion storyboard that presents a problem or question about sound. Allow students to share their ideas visually and explain their reasoning, which helps you spot and address any misconceptions early in the unit.
To set up a collaborative discussion storyboard, enable the collaboration feature in your assignment settings, show students an example storyboard, and guide them to add their own characters, names, and ideas to individual cells. Ensure you establish discussion rules for respectful participation.
Real-time collaboration allows students to work together on the same storyboard simultaneously. This boosts communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills while saving time and making the activity more engaging.
You can have students add extra cells to analyze who is correct and why, create storyboards explaining and correcting misconceptions, or design their own storyboards to share with peers. These variations deepen understanding and encourage peer teaching.