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:
Clarify what students should achieve by the end of the discussion, such as identifying misconceptions or explaining why a particular viewpoint is correct. Setting goals keeps students focused and gives the activity purpose.
Demonstrate how to share ideas, listen actively, and respond to others' arguments based on a sample cell. This helps students understand expectations for respectful, evidence-based conversation.
Give each student a role—like speaker, summarizer, questioner, or evidence-finder—to ensure everyone contributes. Structured roles boost engagement and accountability.
Walk around the classroom, asking open-ended questions and encouraging students to back up their claims with evidence. Active teacher involvement fosters higher-level thinking and keeps discussions on track.
Lead a whole-class or small group reflection where students share what they learned, new questions, or shifts in their thinking. This reinforces learning and helps students process the discussion.
A discussion storyboard is a visual tool that helps students share and debate their ideas about states of matter. It presents a problem and different viewpoints, allowing students to explain their reasoning and learn from each other in a structured, engaging way.
Start your lesson by having students fill out a discussion storyboard with their initial thoughts and questions on the topic. Reviewing their responses helps you quickly spot and address misconceptions before moving deeper into the unit.
Real-time collaboration lets students work together on the same storyboard, boosting communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. It encourages teamwork and helps students complete assignments more efficiently.
To make your storyboard assignment collaborative, go to the Edit Assignment tab and enable the collaboration setting. This allows multiple students to work on the same storyboard at once.
Try having students add a new cell to explain which answer is correct and why, create storyboards teaching a concept to peers, or design their own scenarios for classmates to discuss. These approaches deepen understanding and foster engagement.