Computer Science
Grade 3
20 min
Creating a Storyboard: Visualizing the Story
Students create a visual representation of their story using a simple storyboard format.
What you'll learn
- Draw at least 3 pictures to show the beginning, middle, and end of a simple story on a storyboard template.
- Explain to a partner what happens in each of the pictures on their storyboard.
- Identify the characters and setting in their own storyboard.
- Arrange their storyboard pictures in the correct order to tell the story.
Tutorial Preview
1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify the key parts of a storyboard: scenes, choices, and paths.
Draw a storyboard with at least one choice point and two different paths.
Use arrows to correctly show the flow of a story from one scene to another.
Explain how a choice in a story is like an 'IF...THEN' conditional statement.
Label storyboard scenes with numbers and short descriptions.
Plan a simple digital story with a beginning, a choice, and two possible endings.
Have you ever wished you could choose what happens next in a story or a video game? 🦸♂️ Let's learn how to be the boss of our own story!
Today, we will learn how to create a storyboard, which is like a comic strip map for our story. This map helps us plan all the exciting choices and different endings befor...
2
Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
StoryboardA plan for a story made of pictures in boxes, like a comic strip. It shows what happens in order.A page with six boxes drawn on it. The first box shows a cat, the second shows the cat climbing a tree, and so on.
SceneOne single box or moment in your storyboard. It shows one action or event.A single drawing of a character opening a treasure chest.
Branching NarrativeA story that has choices. The choices you make change what happens next and can lead to different endings.A story where you can choose to go into the spooky castle OR the sunny field. Each choice leads to a different adventure.
Choice PointA special scene in the story where the character (or the person reading) has to make a decision.A scene where a knight stands in front of two doors, a red one...
3
Core Syntax & Patterns
Number Every Scene
1, 2, 3...
Always put a number in the corner of each box. This helps you and others follow the story in the right order, even when there are branches.
Arrows Show the Path
Scene A → Scene B
Always use arrows to connect your scenes. An arrow shows which scene comes next. For a choice, you will have two or more arrows pointing away from the choice scene.
Diamond for a Choice
Draw a ◊ for decisions
When you get to a part of the story where the reader has to make a choice, draw the question in a diamond shape. This makes it easy to see where the story branches.
4 more steps in this tutorial
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Challenging
A branching story has a starting point and two choices. The first choice has 2 possible outcomes. The second choice, on a different path, also has 2 possible outcomes. What is the maximum number of different endings this story could have based on this plan?
A.2
B.4
C.3
D.1
Challenging
In your story, a player can only open a magic door IF they found a blue gem earlier. How could you best show this requirement on your storyboard?
A.Draw the magic door with a blue handle
B.Only draw the path where the player finds the gem
C.Use a different color for the arrows leading to the door
D.On the 'magic door' panel, add a note like: 'Condition: Must have blue gem'
Challenging
You look at a friend's storyboard and see that one choice leads to a very long, exciting path with 10 panels, while the other choice leads to a path with only 2 panels that says 'The End'. What might be a problem with this design for a player?
A.The story is too hard to understand
B.The drawings are probably not very good on the short path
C.player might feel their choice was 'wrong' or less fun
D.The story will be too slow on the long path
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Frequently asked questions
What grade level is "Creating a Storyboard: Visualizing the Story"?
Creating a Storyboard: Visualizing the Story is a Grade 3 Computer Science lesson on ExcelOS.
What will I learn in Creating a Storyboard: Visualizing the Story?
You'll be able to: Draw at least 3 pictures to show the beginning, middle, and end of a simple story on a storyboard template; Explain to a partner what happens in each of the pictures on their storyboard; Identify the characters and setting in….
Is "Creating a Storyboard: Visualizing the Story" free to practice?
Yes. You can read the tutorial preview for free, and signing up for a free ExcelOS account unlocks the full tutorial and all practice questions with instant feedback.
How many practice questions are included with Creating a Storyboard: Visualizing the Story?
This lesson includes 27 practice questions across multiple difficulty levels, each with instant feedback and explanations.