Storyboard That Offers ELA Teacher Guides

Storyboard ThatStoryboard That has launched its first guides designed to help teachers use storyboards as an educational tool in an ELA unit.

Each teacher guide is focused on a specific unit like Greek Mythology, a famous literary work like Macbeth or an American classic like “The Raven.” Every guide contains at least seven detailed, Common Core-aligned activities with starter templates that teachers can use.

The company chose the activities based on feedback from teachers during the two years that Storyboard That has been in classrooms. Each activity comes with an extended lesson plan if a teacher wants to learn more.

The activities in the teacher guides include the following: 

  • Story/Plot Mapping is designed to help break down the story into the beginning, middle and end (or to find the narrative arc for high school students).
  • Character Mapping allows students to compile a detailed list of traits and interactions to help keep characters straight and watch them evolve.
  • Visual Vocabulary Boards show vocabulary in context with an image.
  • Symbolism guides students to pull out and see the elements of symbolism on a storyboard, bringing to life elements they may have missed while reading.
  • Conflict helps students visually depict elements of characters’ struggles in a story.

About the Author

Christopher Piehler is the former editor-in-chief of THE Journal.

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