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:
Engaging students with hands-on activities helps them visualize scientific concepts. Creating a model of Earth's layers reinforces understanding and makes learning memorable!
Collect materials like colored clay or playdough (four colors), plastic knives, and paper plates. These items allow each student to build their own Earth model and explore its structure tactilely.
Instruct students to roll a small ball for the inner core, add a layer for the outer core, then shape the mantle and finally cover with a thin crust. Explain the purpose of each layer as they build.
Have students carefully cut their models in half. Label each section using toothpicks and sticky notes, encouraging them to recall key facts about each layer’s properties.
Lead a class discussion about how the model compares to the real Earth. Address common misconceptions, such as the thickness of the crust or temperatures inside the Earth, to deepen understanding.
A discussion storyboard is a visual tool that prompts students to share and critique ideas on a science topic, such as the structure of the Earth. Teachers can use it at the start of a unit to identify prior knowledge, address misconceptions, and spark meaningful classroom discussions.
To set up a collaborative storyboard, enable Real Time Collaboration in the assignment’s “Edit Assignment” tab. Students can then work together on the same storyboard, adding characters, arguments, and opinions in real time for an interactive group activity.
Discussion storyboards encourage deeper thinking, improve communication and problem-solving skills, and help students evaluate different viewpoints. They also allow students to practice formal debate and reinforce their understanding of scientific concepts.
Start with a storyboard that presents common misconceptions about the Earth's structure. Have students critique each viewpoint, discuss as a group, and update their storyboards to reflect accurate scientific understanding, helping dispel misunderstandings.
Yes! Students can design their own discussion storyboards on any Earth science topic. This promotes creativity, ownership of learning, and deeper engagement with concepts like the structure of the Earth.