Use Storyboard That to get students thinking about stories. Give them a prompt to work with, or start a storyboard for them to finish. There are many amazing scenes and characters on Storyboard That to stir up imagination! The prompt for the example below is: “The snow kept coming down…”
Depending on the level of your students, you may want to enforce a narrative arc, or you may just want the story to make sense sequentially. This particular activity is good for expanding “quick write” ideas, or boiling down a story idea to its major points. It is also good to get stuck students started. Present several finished stories to see the different directions students took!
Stick with eight cells or less to avoid long and complicated stories. A fun, but challenging, alternative would be to have one student or one group complete one cell of the storyboard, and then pass the storyboard on. Similar to passing a story stick or writing a class story, this will challenge students to make sense of the previous cells and channel their creativity!
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a story! Use the starting prompt, "The snow kept coming down!", or use a prompt from your imagination.
Adapt storyboard prompts and requirements to meet the needs of students with varied reading and writing abilities. Offer sentence starters, vocabulary lists, or visual supports for students who may need help, and provide extension options for advanced learners to deepen engagement.
Provide a selection of story starters so students can choose one that sparks their interest or matches their comfort level. This increases motivation and helps every student begin writing with confidence.
Allow students to work with different numbers of storyboard cells or adapt the layout. Some students may benefit from fewer cells to focus on main ideas, while others might enjoy adding detail with more scenes.
Pair students intentionally—mixing strengths and learning styles—to encourage support and creativity. Peers can help each other brainstorm, plan, and revise, making the activity more inclusive and dynamic.
Encourage students to use pictures, symbols, or audio recordings in their storyboards. This supports English language learners and students who express ideas better visually or verbally, ensuring everyone can participate fully.
A winter holiday story starter is a creative writing prompt designed to inspire students to write stories set during the winter holidays. These starters, like “The snow kept coming down…”, help spark ideas and get students engaged in storytelling.
You can use Storyboard That by giving students a seasonal prompt and letting them create storyboards with scenes and characters. This visual approach helps students quickly organize and expand their ideas into complete winter-themed stories.
Begin with a simple prompt like “The snow kept coming down…” and let students build their own narratives. You can start a storyboard for them to finish, or have each student add to a collaborative story, making the activity fun and accessible.
Storyboards make writing more interactive by combining text and visuals. They help students organize their thoughts, encourage creativity, and support those who struggle with traditional writing—all while making holiday lessons engaging.
Collaborative storyboard activities encourage teamwork, creativity, and critical thinking. Passing a storyboard between students or groups helps them interpret others’ ideas, adapt creatively, and build class community during holiday lessons.