Search
https://www.test.storyboardthat.com/lesson-plans/the-digestive-system/discussion-starter
Activity Overview
Template and Class Instructions
Rubric
Activity Overview Accordion Arrow

Activity Overview


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.


Students Can Collaborate!

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.


Getting Started

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.


Post Activity Discussion

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.


More Ideas!

Here are some other ideas to use these discussion storyboards in your lessons.

  1. Students add another cell on the end of the example you’ve given them to explain whom they think is correct and why.
  2. Students create a storyboard to describe why a student is incorrect, and then "teach" the concept.
  3. Students create their own discussion storyboards to share with peers on the current topic.

Note that the template in this assignment is blank. After clicking "Copy Activity", add your desired problem and solutions to match the needs of your students.

Template and Class Instructions Accordion Arrow

Template and Class Instructions

(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:

  1. Find a character in the Creator to represent you. You can choose a character that looks like you or any character you wish!
  2. Drag the character down to one of the cells. Edit the colors and pose.
  3. Add your name in the text box below.
  4. Add your idea to the speech bubble. You may wish to include additional text and images to explain your opinion and why you believe it is correct.
  5. Remember to work on your cell only and do not disturb your classmates' work.
  6. Be prepared to present and discuss your opinion further after the storyboard is finished!

Lesson Plan Reference


Rubric Accordion Arrow

Rubric

(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)


Discussion Storyboard
Read the discussion storyboard showing the students looking at a problem. Add a cell to the end of the storyboard and describe who you think is correct and why.
Proficient Emerging Beginning
Who do you think is correct?
You have selected a person you believe to be correct and explained why.
You have selected the person you believe to be correct.
You have not selected a person you believe to be correct.
Evidence of Effort
Work is well written and carefully thought out.
Work shows some evidence of effort.
Work shows little evidence of any effort.


Activity Overview


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.


Students Can Collaborate!

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.


Getting Started

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.


Post Activity Discussion

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.


More Ideas!

Here are some other ideas to use these discussion storyboards in your lessons.

  1. Students add another cell on the end of the example you’ve given them to explain whom they think is correct and why.
  2. Students create a storyboard to describe why a student is incorrect, and then "teach" the concept.
  3. Students create their own discussion storyboards to share with peers on the current topic.

Note that the template in this assignment is blank. After clicking "Copy Activity", add your desired problem and solutions to match the needs of your students.

Template and Class Instructions

(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:

  1. Find a character in the Creator to represent you. You can choose a character that looks like you or any character you wish!
  2. Drag the character down to one of the cells. Edit the colors and pose.
  3. Add your name in the text box below.
  4. Add your idea to the speech bubble. You may wish to include additional text and images to explain your opinion and why you believe it is correct.
  5. Remember to work on your cell only and do not disturb your classmates' work.
  6. Be prepared to present and discuss your opinion further after the storyboard is finished!

Lesson Plan Reference


Rubric

(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)


Discussion Storyboard
Read the discussion storyboard showing the students looking at a problem. Add a cell to the end of the storyboard and describe who you think is correct and why.
Proficient Emerging Beginning
Who do you think is correct?
You have selected a person you believe to be correct and explained why.
You have selected the person you believe to be correct.
You have not selected a person you believe to be correct.
Evidence of Effort
Work is well written and carefully thought out.
Work shows some evidence of effort.
Work shows little evidence of any effort.


How Tos about The Digestive System Discussion

1

How to create engaging digestive system discussion questions for students

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.

2

Model how to facilitate respectful science discussions

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.

3

Guide students in using evidence from science texts

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.

4

Monitor group collaboration and provide feedback

Observe student interactions and give timely feedback on communication and teamwork. Highlight positive behaviors, such as listening actively and including all voices.

5

Assess understanding with quick exit tickets

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.

Frequently Asked Questions about The Digestive System Discussion

What is a discussion storyboard for teaching the digestive system?

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.

How do I set up a collaborative digestive system storyboard activity in my classroom?

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.

Why use discussion storyboards to teach the digestive system?

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.

What are some easy ways to get students talking about the digestive system?

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.

Can students work together in real time on a digestive system storyboard?

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.




Testimonials

“By using the product, they were so excited and they learned so much...”
–K-5 Librarian and Instructinal Technology Teacher
“I'm doing a Napoleon timeline and I'm having [students] determine whether or not Napoleon was a good guy or a bad guy or somewhere in between.”
–History and Special Ed Teacher
“Students get to be creative with Storyboard That and there's so many visuals for them to pick from... It makes it really accessible for all students in the class.”
–Third Grade Teacher
*(This Will Start a 2-Week Free Trial - No Credit Card Needed)
https://www.test.storyboardthat.com/lesson-plans/the-digestive-system/discussion-starter
© 2025 - Clever Prototypes, LLC - All rights reserved.
StoryboardThat is a trademark of Clever Prototypes, LLC, and Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office