Your assignment is to create a 10 box (frame) comic strip which encourages people to
try to reduce air pollution. One of the ten boxes should be dedicated entirely to the title
and the author’s name (YOU of course!). You are certainly allowed to give me more
than 10 boxes. Your project can range from talking about recent technology
(hybrid/electric cars), to encouraging people to pay closer attention to the protection of
our atmosphere. Your comic strip may be illustrated, or you can print characters to glue
on your comic strip. You may also cut out your characters from a magazine or
newspaper. You may even do a combination of illustrations and cut-outs. I’ve done a
similar project in the past and have seen projects range from the Simpsons to NBA
basketball players. Just because I say comic strip does not mean that your characters
have to be cartoon characters. You may base it on your favorite TV show, literary
characters, or even invent your own. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOUR TOPIC
AND CHARACTERS ARE APPROPRIATE FOR SCHOOL. EACH COMIC STRIP
MUST BE APPROVED BY YOUR TEACHER. Your comic strip must include
dialogue (conversation), and that is where your understanding of the terms comes in.
Your project must somehow cover any 8 of the following terms: weather, atmosphere,
nitrogen, oxygen, ozone, water vapor, pollutants, fossil fuels, photochemical smog,
acid rain, air pressure, barometer, altitude, troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere,
thermosphere, ionosphere, aurora borealis, and exosphere. You should use pages
14-36 as a reference, but don’t be afraid to use resources outside of the text. You
can also impress me by introducing other relevant terms. You may cover the terms by
including them in conversation, or finding another creative way to show your
understanding.
Helpful hints:
 You should brainstorm many ideas, but remember to pick one that works best for
this assignment.
 You might write your story out like a narrative before turning it into a comic strip.
 Remember to keep the terms in mind as you are working on this assignment.
 Look at comic strips in the newspaper to see how they are laid out.
 It may take many rough drafts to get it right.
 Select an original title. For example, if I were using the Flintstones, I might call it
The Flintstones Atmospheric Tales.
 You are allowed to provide a written description of each frame outside of the box.
 HAVE FUN, BE CREATIVE, AND GIVE THIS ASSIGNMENT YOUR
BEST EFFORT.
We will begin brainstorming and working on rough drafts on 12/17-12/20 (Friday and
Monday). 12/21-12/22 (Tuesday and Wednesday) will be dedicated entirely to working
on this assignment. I will provide the paper for your good copy, but you may use your
own poster board if you desire. Between now and Wednesday, you should gather all the
materials you will need so you are prepared. This includes markers, crayons, pictures,
glue, etc. Use the next couple of nights to print out your pictures as well.
Your project is worth 50 points, and it is due on 01/05 (a Wednesday). The scoring
rubric is on the opposite side. You must turn this rubric in with your project.
Air Pollution Comic
Strip
Title Frame
5 points
Set-up
Outstanding
Acceptable
Unacceptable
The title frame
includes more than
just the name of a
cartoon or show.
The title is
creative, and it
relates to the topic
(the atmosphere/air
pollution). Your
name is in this
frame.
5
The project
includes at least
ten frames. The
frames are
numbered so the
reader can follow
the order of the
story. Anything
less will be scored
as unacceptable.
The title is
creative, but it
does not relate to
the topic or your
name is not in the
title frame
The title is
unoriginal, and it
does not relate to
the topic, or your
name is not in the
title frame.
3
The frames are
not numbered.
1
Points will be
deducted for each
frame that you are
missing.
10
10 points
Content
The project
focuses on at least
eight of the terms
highlighted on the
opposite side and
they are used
correctly. The
project encourages
people to reduce
air pollution.
7
The project
focuses on six to
seven terms
highlighted on the
opposite side.
The project
includes less than
six terms, and/or
does not encourage
people to reduce
air pollution.
20 points
Neatness/Appearance
20
All lines are drawn
with a ruler. The
project is colorful,
neat, and does not
include glue
marks.
15
The project is
moderately neat,
and/or includes 12 glue marks.
The project is
lacking color.
10 or less
The lines are not
drawn with a ruler,
and/or the project
appears sloppy,
and/or it contains
more than 2 glue
marks.
15 points
15
12
9 or less
Score