Springtime Storyboards: Telling Tales with Art

Ciara McNearly

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Springtime Storyboards: Telling Tales with Art

Narrative development & visual storytelling

In this lesson, students will create storyboards that depict a spring adventure, focusing on narrative development and visual storytelling. This lesson is important as it fosters both artistic skills and literacy, encouraging students to express their creativity while developing their ability to construct and convey stories visually.

Audience

Achievers (Ages 9-10)

Time

1 hour 15 mins

Approach

Narrative development & visual storytelling

Materials

Drawing paper, Colored pencils or markers, Storyboard template, Discussion questions, and Example storyboard

Step 1

Introduction

10 mins

Begin with a brief discussion about what a storyboard is and its purpose in storytelling.
Show an example storyboard to illustrate how images can tell a story.
Explain the day's activity: creating a storyboard of a spring adventure.

Step 2

Brainstorming Session

15 mins

Have students brainstorm ideas for their spring adventure story.
Encourage them to think about characters, setting, and plot.
Allow students to share their ideas with a partner or small group for feedback.

Step 3

Storyboard Planning

15 mins

Distribute storyboard templates to each student.
Guide students to plan their story by sketching out key scenes on the template.
Remind them to consider the sequence of events and how each scene connects to the next.

Step 4

Creating the Storyboard

25 mins

Provide drawing paper and colored pencils or markers.
Allow students to create detailed illustrations for each scene of their storyboard.
Encourage creativity and attention to detail in both the artwork and the narrative.

Step 5

Sharing and Discussion

10 mins

Have students present their storyboards to the class or in small groups.
Facilitate a discussion using prepared questions to reflect on the storytelling process and the stories created.

Step 6

Closure

5 mins

Recap the key elements of storytelling and visual narrative.
Encourage students to continue exploring storytelling through art in their own time.

Discussion

Storyboard Discussion

A discussion to reflect on the storytelling process and the stories created by students.

What was your favorite part of creating your storyboard?

Encourage students to share specific aspects they enjoyed, such as drawing or coming up with story ideas.

How did you decide on the sequence of events in your story?

Guide students to think about how they structured their story and the importance of sequence in storytelling.

What challenges did you face while creating your storyboard?

Help students identify any difficulties they encountered and discuss possible solutions or strategies.

Worksheet

Storyboard Template

A template to help students plan and organize their storyboard scenes.

Scene 1: Describe the setting and characters.

Think about where your story begins and who is involved.

Scene 2: What is the main event or action?

Consider what happens to move the story forward.

Scene 3: How does your story end?

Think about how you want to conclude your adventure.