Make a storyboard

What can we use if we don't have a ruler, darker pen, or tape for this storyboard?

Use a straight-edged book or a folded piece of paper instead of a ruler to 'Use your ruler and pencil to divide the page into four equal panels,' swap the darker pencil or pen for a fine-tip marker when you 'Trace over the best pencil lines,' and replace tape with glue or a paperclip when you 'Arrange the panels in order and use tape or glue to secure them.'

What should we do if the panels come out uneven or the ink smudges when finalizing drawings?

If panels are uneven when you 'divide the page into four equal panels,' re-measure and mark the center points before redrawing with a straight edge, and if ink smudges after you 'Trace over the best pencil lines' let the ink dry fully before you 'Erase extra pencil marks and smudges' or use a smear-proof pen.

How can this activity be adapted for younger or older children?

For preschoolers skip the 'Write a short story idea' and have them dictate captions while you make bold sketches for them to color, and for older kids expand the instruction to add more panels, detailed backgrounds during 'Add facial expressions and simple background details,' or use the 'Cut out each panel' step to build a flipbook or comic strip series.

What are simple ways to extend or personalize the finished storyboard?

Enhance your project by adding speech bubbles and sound effects in the one-sentence captions, gluing small photo clippings or fabric into the 'Color your panels' step for texture, or rearranging and taping panels after you 'Cut out each panel' to tell alternate versions of the same story before you 'Share your finished creation on DIY.org.'