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:
Craft questions that spark curiosity and encourage critical thinking. Use open-ended prompts about the digestive process or real-life scenarios so students are motivated to participate and share their ideas.
Demonstrate effective discussion skills by role-playing with sample answers and respectful rebuttals. Students learn to express opinions and disagree politely, promoting a positive classroom environment.
Encourage students to reference class materials or textbooks when making arguments. This builds their ability to support claims with scientific evidence and strengthens understanding of the digestive system.
Observe student interactions and give timely feedback on communication and teamwork. Highlight positive behaviors, such as listening actively and including all voices.
Wrap up the lesson by having students answer a quick question about the digestive system or reflect on a peer's idea. This provides instant insights into their learning and identifies misconceptions to address next time.
A discussion storyboard is a visual tool that helps students share and evaluate different ideas about the digestive system in a structured, respectful way. It encourages collaboration, critical thinking, and helps address misconceptions at the start of a science unit.
To set up a collaborative storyboard, enable collaboration in your assignment settings, show an example storyboard, and have students add their own ideas using characters and speech bubbles. Guide students to discuss and explain their reasoning together, either digitally or on printed storyboards.
Discussion storyboards help students critique, explain, and defend their ideas about the digestive system. They foster deeper understanding, communication skills, and engagement by letting students visualize and debate concepts.
Use discussion storyboards, pair or group discussions, and have students create or extend storyboards with their own opinions. These strategies help students share prior knowledge, ask questions, and clear up misunderstandings about the digestive system.
Yes! With Real Time Collaboration, students can work together on the same storyboard, adding their ideas, characters, and arguments at once. It boosts teamwork and speeds up the activity, especially when using digital tools like Storyboard That.