Comic Boardroom Slides
8th Grade Leadership Episode 01: Meetings
COMIC BOARDROOM
How to master professional meeting etiquette & create your own character comic!
Grab your partner & get ready to draw!
Slide 1 of 9
Why Etiquette Matters
THE CONFLICT
The Chaos Meeting
🥱
No Prep: Arriving late in pajamas, scrolling on TikTok, chewing loud bubble gum.
🤫
Ghost Mode: Nobody introduces themselves. Awkward staring contest begins.
🗣️
Interrupting: Talking over teammates, ignoring suggestions entirely.
Result: Ultimate time-waste, zero progress, hurt feelings.
The Mogul Meeting
👔
Dressed to Impress: Neat attire, ready with notes, showing respect.
🤝
Warm Welcome: Prompt handshakes, direct eye contact, clean names.
💡
High-Engage: Listening actively, taking turns, taking accurate notes.
Result: High-five ideas, mutual respect, professional power!
How you treat a meeting determines your professional credibility.
Slide 2 of 9
Code 1: Dressing the Part
VISUAL ETIQUETTE
🎩
The Level Up
Professional attire shows you value the meeting and the people in it. For cartoon characters, this means replacing swimsuits or capes with neat, coordinated outfits!
Rule: Professional & Clean
❌
What to Avoid
- • Pajamas, dirty clothing, or loungewear.
- • Sunglasses indoors (unless you're a cool spy!).
- • Overly distracting hats that block people's views.
Avoid: "Straight out of bed" look
✍️
Your Comic Tip
When drawing or describing your characters, give them a subtle professional makeover. Give SpongeBob a clean tie, or put Shrek in a polished collared tunic!
Make it funny but professional!
Visual presentation is your first form of nonverbal communication.
Slide 3 of 9
Code 2: The Perfect Introduction
THE KICKOFF
FORMULA The "Four-Part Hello"
1
Clean Name & Professional Title
2
Your Organization or Project Association
3
The Purpose: Why you are attending today
4
A Welcoming Close ("Great to be here!")
"Hello everyone! I'm Patrick Star, lead sandcastle designer at Jellyfish Fields Co. I'm here to share our new property plans. Excited to collaborate!"
⭐️
Patrick Star
Sandcastle Architect
First impressions matter. Start strong, clear, and confident!
Slide 4 of 9
Code 3: Meeting Behaviors
IN THE SESSION
👂
Active Listening
Acknowledge others' ideas with nods or short comments ("That is a solid point, Squidward"). Keep your eyes on the person presenting, not the wall.
Respect the speaker
📵
Zero Screens
Keep phones in pockets or backpacks. If utilizing a laptop or tablet for notes, explain to your partner so they know you aren't texting!
Be 100% present
🖊️
Contribution
Meetings are for work! Pitch ideas, take structured notes, and offer to help with next steps. No sitting in total silence!
Add actual value
Quiet respect combined with active participation makes you an elite teammate.
Slide 5 of 9
Exemplar Model: Bikini Bottom Boardroom
STUDENT MODEL
Panel 1: The Setup 👔
Preparing the Team
SpongeBob combs his yellow corners and puts on a sleek blue necktie. Squidward polishes his clarinet casing to look clean and neat.
Etiquette Rule: Character Attire & Early Preparation
Panel 2: Arrivals 🤝
Introductions First
SpongeBob stands and shakes hands: "Hello! I am SpongeBob, Chief Fry Cook. Ready to plan the patty distribution!" Squidward nods with direct eye contact.
Etiquette Rule: Direct Intros & Shaking Hands
Panel 3: The Work 💡
Collaboration Mode
As Mr. Krabs suggests a wild idea, SpongeBob takes neat notes. Squidward patiently waits until Mr. Krabs finishes speaking before raising a concern.
Etiquette Rule: Active Listening & No Interrupting
Your story can be funny, but it must teach these core rules clearly!
Slide 6 of 9
The Partner Comic Mission
YOUR TASK
1
Team Up & Select Characters: Choose 3-4 famous animated stars.
2
Brainstorm the Plot: Why are they meeting? What professional goal do they have?
3
Design & Write: Draft a story or a 4-6 panel comic strip showing these steps.
Must Include:
- 👉 Professional Attire
- 👉 Formal Introductions
- 👉 3+ Meeting Behaviors
- 👉 Clear Plot & Dialogue
Submit by end of class block!
Work together! One can focus on dialogue, the other on design.
Slide 7 of 9
Partner Brainstorming Workshop
GUIDED DISCUSSION
Task A: Characters & Motive
Who is at the table?
Pick your 3-4 favorite animated characters. Ensure they are from shows your classmate would know!
💡 Tip: Why are they meeting? e.g., Shrek needs to pitch swamp zoning laws to Lord Farquaad!
Task B: The Etiquette Elements
How will they show etiquette?
Identify the visual attire changes you will draw, and write out their formal dialogue introductions.
💡 Tip: Choose at least three distinct behaviors: active listening, note-taking, or handshakes!
Take five minutes with your partner to sketch down ideas now!
Slide 8 of 9
The Epic Success Rubric
HOW YOU ARE GRADED
Criteria
Excellent (4 pts)
Proficient (3 pts)
Developing (2 pts)
Professional Attire
Characters have highly creative professional makeovers drawn/described.
Characters are wearing simple business casual outfits.
Attire is mentioned but looks casual or incomplete.
Formal Introductions
Complete "Four-Part Hello" with name, role, organization & purpose included.
Basic introductions with name and brief reason for being there.
Introductions are rushed or missing key details.
Meeting Behaviors
3+ distinct positive behaviors clearly modeled and highlighted.
2 distinct positive behaviors modeled clearly in the dialogue.
Only 1 behavior shown, or behaviors are rude.
🏆
Aim for the "Excellent" column to score a perfect 12/12!
Slide 9 of 9
Comic Boardroom Worksheet
COMIC BOARDROOM
Student Planner
Name:
Partner:
👥
Step 1: Your Toon Boardroom Roster
Select 3 to 4 animated characters. Give them a professional makeover by designing their new workplace title and business attire!
Character #1
Name:
Workplace Role/Title:
Professional Attire:
Character #2
Name:
Workplace Role/Title:
Professional Attire:
Character #3
Name:
Workplace Role/Title:
Professional Attire:
💡
Step 2: The Pitch & The Purpose
What is the central conflict or business goal of this meeting? (Why are they sitting down?)
Where is the meeting taking place? (Pick a creative setting like Krusty Krab VIP Room or the Swamp Boardroom):
COMIC BOARDROOM PROJECT PAGE 1 OF 2
THE PANEL SCRIPT
Storyboard Planner
Draft the dialogue and actions for your 4 Comic Panels below. Ensure your panels fulfill all requirements: attire (Panel 1), formal introductions (Panel 2), and active behaviors (Panels 3 & 4).
Panel 1: Preparation & Attire
Visual Action Sketching Details:
Dialogue / Speech Bubbles:
Must Show: Characters getting ready & dressed up!
Panel 2: Formal Introduction
Visual Action Sketching Details:
Dialogue / Speech Bubbles:
Must Show: Handshakes & The "Four-Part Hello"
Panel 3: Active Listening / Contribution
Visual Action Sketching Details:
Dialogue / Speech Bubbles:
Must Show: Good posture, taking notes, or contributing
Panel 4: Wrap-Up & Action Plan
Visual Action Sketching Details:
Dialogue / Speech Bubbles:
Must Show: Assigning clear next tasks professionally
COMIC BOARDROOM PROJECT PAGE 2 OF 2
Comic Boardroom Teacher Guide
FACILITATION GUIDE
Teacher Resource
⏱️ Duration: 60-90 Mins
🎯 Grade Level: 8th Grade
🎨 Subject: Leadership / CTE
Lesson Timeline & Flow
10 Mins
The Hook & Launch (Slides 1-2)
Introduce the "Comic Boardroom" concept. Ask students to contrast the "Chaos" vs. "Mogul" meeting panel examples. Facilitate brief class discussion: "What's the worst group meeting you've ever experienced?"
15 Mins
Direct Instruction (Slides 3-5)
Walk through the 3 Core Rules: Professional Attire, the "Four-Part Hello," and active meeting contribution. Model a strong handshake and professional posture for the class physically.
10 Mins
Reviewing Model & Rubric (Slides 6-7, 9)
Analyze the "Bikini Bottom Boardroom" exemplar. Highlight how the cartoon plot remains wacky (SpongeBob fry cook issues) but the meeting behavior is 100% correct, polite, and aligned with the rubric standards.
25+ Mins
Partner Brainstorming & Comic Creation (Slide 8)
Divide students into partners. Distribute the Comic Boardroom Worksheet. Have pairs map out their characters, formal scripts, and draft their final comic panel details.
🛠️ Classroom Prep & Supplies List
- 👉 Handouts: Print 1 double-sided copy of the Student Worksheet per pair.
- 👉 Materials: Colored markers, rulers, blank cardstock, or digital drawing tablets.
- 👉 Grouping: Prepare pairing list beforehand (mixing different creative styles works best!).
COMIC BOARDROOM CLASS PLAN PAGE 1 OF 2
PEDAGOGICAL STRATEGIES
Teacher Resource
⚠️ Common 8th Grade Misconceptions
1. "Silly characters means silly behavior": Students often write dialogue where characters act extremely rude or childish to get laughs.
Correction: Remind them that the characters can be hilarious, but their *business etiquette* must remain perfectly professional inside the board meeting panels.
2. Skipping the Introduction details: Students might just have characters say "Hi" or write generic dialogue.
Correction: Enforce the "Four-Part Hello" formula on the rubric. Walk around and prompt: "Did your character share their professional project role?"
🗣️ Facilitation Questioning Guide
During Attire Discussion (Slide 3):
"Why does taking 3 minutes to put on a neat collared shirt change how people receive your suggestions? Is that fair or unfair? Why?"
