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 Outstanding Acceptable Unacceptable Score
Strip
Title Frame The title frame The title is The title is
includes more than creative, but it unoriginal, and it
just the name of a does not relate to does not relate to
cartoon or show. the topic or your the topic, or your
The title is name is not in the name is not in the
creative, and it title frame title frame.
relates to the topic
(the atmosphere/air
pollution). Your
name is in this
frame.
5 points 5 3 1
Set-up The project The frames are Points will be
includes at least not numbered. deducted for each
ten frames. The frame that you are
frames are missing.
numbered so the
reader can follow
the order of the
story. Anything
less will be scored
as unacceptable.

10
10 points 7
Content The project The project The project
focuses on at least focuses on six to includes less than
eight of the terms seven terms six terms, and/or
highlighted on the highlighted on the does not
opposite side and opposite side. encourage people
they are used to reduce air
correctly. The pollution.
project encourages
people to reduce
air pollution.

20 points 20 15
10 or less
Neatness/Appearance All lines are drawn The project is The lines are not
with a ruler. The moderately neat, drawn with a ruler,
project is colorful, and/or includes 1- and/or the project
neat, and does not 2 glue marks. appears sloppy,
include glue The project is and/or it contains
marks. lacking color. more than 2 glue
marks.

15 points 15 12 9 or less