Activity Overview
Let students do some teaching! Have students create a storyboard that teaches how to do something for the winter holidays. This could be how to make a certain kind of holiday decoration, how to choose a gift for someone, how to wrap a present, how to make a great cup of hot chocolate, or anything else they'd like to teach!
The storyboard must include all the steps needed to complete the task. The steps can be directed to the reader using the imperative mood, or students can tell a pseudo-story like the example of “How to Play the Dreidel” below!
The dreidel is a top most often used during the Hanukkah season.
- Every player starts with the same number of game pieces. The game pieces can be candy, pennies, nuts, dried fruit, or chocolate coins referred to as "gelt".
- Each player puts one game piece into the pot at the start of the round.
- The first player spins the dreidel. What he does next is based on the side of the dreidel facing up after it stops spinning.
- There are four sides to a dreidel and each has a Hebrew letter. The letters come from "Nes Gadol Hayah Sham" (a great miracle happened there), which refers to the miracle of the oil.
- Jimmy spins and the dreidel lands with the "shin" letter facing up. Jimmy has to put one of his game pieces into the pot in the middle.
- For Jakob's turn, the dreidel lands on "nun". "Nun" stands for "nothing", so Jakob doesn't give or get any gelt.
- Becky gets "gimel", which stands for all. Becky gets to take everything in the middle!
- Whenever the pot is empty, everyone needs to put one piece in again. If a player cannot put a piece in when they need to, that player is "out".
- It's Jimmy's turn again, and he spins to "he", for half. He takes half of the pieces in the pot. Since there is an odd number, he takes half of the amount rounded up: two pieces.
- The game is over when all but one player is "out"!
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In each description, write the steps of how to do something (play a game, bake cookies, etc.).
- Illustrate each description using appropriate scenes, characters, items, and dialogue.
- Save and Exit
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Events | Each of the cells represents a different part of the story. The cells are in order from beginning to end. | One cell is out of order, or the storyboard is missing important information. | Important information is missing and/or two or more cells are out of order. |
| Images | Cells include images that accurately show events in the story and do not get in the way of understanding. | Most images show the events of the story, but some are incorrect. | The images are unclear or do not make sense with the story. |
| Descriptions | Descriptions match the images and show the change over time. | Descriptions do not always match the images or mention the importance of the event. | Descriptions are missing or do not match the images. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Spelling and grammar is mostly accurate. Mistakes do not get in the way of understanding. | Spelling is very inaccurate and hinders full understanding. | Text is very difficult to understand. |
Activity Overview
Let students do some teaching! Have students create a storyboard that teaches how to do something for the winter holidays. This could be how to make a certain kind of holiday decoration, how to choose a gift for someone, how to wrap a present, how to make a great cup of hot chocolate, or anything else they'd like to teach!
The storyboard must include all the steps needed to complete the task. The steps can be directed to the reader using the imperative mood, or students can tell a pseudo-story like the example of “How to Play the Dreidel” below!
The dreidel is a top most often used during the Hanukkah season.
- Every player starts with the same number of game pieces. The game pieces can be candy, pennies, nuts, dried fruit, or chocolate coins referred to as "gelt".
- Each player puts one game piece into the pot at the start of the round.
- The first player spins the dreidel. What he does next is based on the side of the dreidel facing up after it stops spinning.
- There are four sides to a dreidel and each has a Hebrew letter. The letters come from "Nes Gadol Hayah Sham" (a great miracle happened there), which refers to the miracle of the oil.
- Jimmy spins and the dreidel lands with the "shin" letter facing up. Jimmy has to put one of his game pieces into the pot in the middle.
- For Jakob's turn, the dreidel lands on "nun". "Nun" stands for "nothing", so Jakob doesn't give or get any gelt.
- Becky gets "gimel", which stands for all. Becky gets to take everything in the middle!
- Whenever the pot is empty, everyone needs to put one piece in again. If a player cannot put a piece in when they need to, that player is "out".
- It's Jimmy's turn again, and he spins to "he", for half. He takes half of the pieces in the pot. Since there is an odd number, he takes half of the amount rounded up: two pieces.
- The game is over when all but one player is "out"!
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In each description, write the steps of how to do something (play a game, bake cookies, etc.).
- Illustrate each description using appropriate scenes, characters, items, and dialogue.
- Save and Exit
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Events | Each of the cells represents a different part of the story. The cells are in order from beginning to end. | One cell is out of order, or the storyboard is missing important information. | Important information is missing and/or two or more cells are out of order. |
| Images | Cells include images that accurately show events in the story and do not get in the way of understanding. | Most images show the events of the story, but some are incorrect. | The images are unclear or do not make sense with the story. |
| Descriptions | Descriptions match the images and show the change over time. | Descriptions do not always match the images or mention the importance of the event. | Descriptions are missing or do not match the images. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Spelling and grammar is mostly accurate. Mistakes do not get in the way of understanding. | Spelling is very inaccurate and hinders full understanding. | Text is very difficult to understand. |
How Tos about Write a How-To Story
Create a festive classroom display for student how-to storyboards
Showcase student work by setting up a dedicated bulletin board or wall space for their winter holiday how-to storyboards. This builds pride and encourages peer learning.
Gather and organize student storyboards
Collect finished storyboards and have students write their names clearly. Group them by topic (e.g., decorations, recipes, games) for easy display and browsing.
Add creative borders and titles
Frame the display with colorful borders or holiday-themed decorations. Create a big, eye-catching title like “How-To Holiday Headquarters!” to draw attention.
Invite students to present their how-to guides
Encourage students to share their storyboards with the class or small groups. This promotes confidence and lets students learn new skills from each other.
Rotate displays to feature new storyboards
Keep the display fresh by swapping in new storyboards weekly or as students create more guides. This ensures every student gets a chance to shine.
Frequently Asked Questions about Write a How-To Story
What is a how-to storyboard activity for winter holidays?
A how-to storyboard activity for winter holidays is a creative classroom project where students design illustrated step-by-step guides teaching how to do something seasonal—like making decorations, wrapping gifts, or preparing a holiday treat. This helps students practice sequencing, writing clear instructions, and using visuals to support learning.
How can students create a storyboard to teach a holiday skill?
To create a storyboard, students pick a holiday skill—such as making a craft or playing a game—then break it down into clear steps. Each step is written out and illustrated with scenes, characters, and dialogue. The storyboard should guide someone through the process from start to finish.
What are some easy holiday how-to topics students can teach?
Easy holiday how-to topics include making paper snowflakes, wrapping a present, choosing a thoughtful gift, preparing hot chocolate, or teaching how to play a traditional holiday game like dreidel. These activities are simple and relatable for K-12 students.
Why is teaching with storyboards effective in the classroom?
Storyboards make lessons engaging by combining writing, sequencing, and art. They help students organize ideas, communicate instructions visually, and develop presentation skills. This method also supports different learning styles and encourages creativity.
What steps should students follow to complete a how-to storyboard assignment?
Students should: 1) choose a topic; 2) outline each step needed; 3) write clear, concise instructions; 4) illustrate each step with scenes and relevant items; 5) use dialogue if helpful; and 6) review their storyboard to ensure it’s easy to follow and complete.
More Storyboard That Activities
Winter Holiday Classroom Activities
![Winter Holiday Classroom Activities - The Story of [Insert Holiday Here]](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/storyboard-cells/5496923/cell-col-2-row-1-w400.png "Winter Holiday Classroom Activities - The Story of [Insert Holiday Here]")
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