Also see How To Boards, Sequencing article, and our Sequencing Activities blog post.
We give and get instructions all of the time. Whether it is a tutorial on a website, a recipe for dinner, or directions to the post office, instructions are all around us. We go through various processes too, as do many natural phenomena. Life cycles, routines, photosynthesis, digestion - processes are everywhere! Instructions and processes are so much more easily understood when accompanied by visuals. When we storyboard a process or create a sequential diagram, we can focus on discrete steps, cause and effect, and sequence.
Storyboarding makes us internalize meaning, focus on the essence of what we need to say, and display it visually. It also provides common visuals for a group of people. People can have different impressions or personal biases that affect thought patterns (see our article on the Ladder of Inference), so presenting information visually and verbally communicates ideas in a better way.
By breaking down a process, we can focus on three important things: What is the end goal or purpose? What are the individual steps? What are potential setbacks that can be easily avoided? There are many processes that can be storyboarded. Here are a few ideas for various subjects and grade levels. Storyboards can be created by teachers for students, or they can be created by students to showcase learning.
Processes can be very clearly explained or demonstrated and all students SEE the process in the same way. In addition, storyboards can be referred to at a later time for reinforcement, reteaching, or review. Having a visual record is really useful! Print out comic strips, create a shared folder on the school network, or otherwise make the storyboarded process available. For example, put a long division comic in a math notebook or folder that students can reference when doing independent work.
If you're looking for another step or an alternative assignment, you can create graphic organizer worksheets to use in your class! These worksheets can be customized and printed out for students to fill out with a pencil, or they can be completed in the Storyboard Creator like a digital worksheet. You can even create multiple versions for those students who might need a little extra help, and keep them on hand for future use! Find plenty of templates to work from or just start with a blank canvas.
Check out all these different examples of processes. Notice the different layouts and approaches. Variations on the traditional layout make for a more engaging experience. Depending on the purpose of the storyboard diagram, have a character say what to do with speech bubbles, or narrate with titles, descriptions, or both! Show either a realistic situation or do an explanation for more abstract ideas.
Get the most out of Storyboard That with these great features!
During your 14-Day free trial, you and your students will have full access to all the classroom features.
Easily find that perfect photo thanks to integration with Photos for Class.
After your storyboard is created easily export it to high resolution storyboard cells, PDF, slideshow, and so much more!
Quickly turn any storyboard into a presentation to receive immediate feedback!
Check out the rest of our Lesson Plans!
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