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Martian Mindset: Watney's Witty World

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Lesson Plan

Martian Mindset: Watney's Witty World Lesson Plan

Students will be able to analyze how Andy Weir uses voice and problem-solving to develop the character of Mark Watney.

Understanding how authors develop characters helps students better comprehend literature and appreciate the craft of storytelling. It also highlights the importance of problem-solving and resilience.

Audience

8th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Through text analysis, discussion, and reflection, students will explore Mark Watney's character.

Materials

Character Traits Slides, Watney's Wit & Wisdom Worksheet, and Character Journal Entry

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up Question

5 minutes

  • Display the 'Warm-Up Question' slide from Character Traits Slides.
    - Ask students: "Imagine you're stranded alone on Mars. What's the first problem you'd try to solve, and how would your personality help you?"
    - Facilitate a brief class discussion, encouraging students to share initial thoughts and connect them to personality traits.

Step 2

Character Analysis Activity

10 minutes

  • Introduce Mark Watney from 'The Martian' using the relevant slides in Character Traits Slides.
    - Explain 'Protagonist,' 'Direct Characterization,' and 'Indirect Characterization' using examples from the slides.
    - Distribute the Watney's Wit & Wisdom Worksheet.
    - Instruct students to work individually to identify examples of direct and indirect characterization in provided text excerpts (from the worksheet) that reveal Watney's voice and problem-solving skills.

Step 3

Group Brainstorm

10 minutes

  • Divide students into small groups.
    - Ask groups to share their findings from the Watney's Wit & Wisdom Worksheet and brainstorm how Watney's personality traits (revealed through his voice) directly impact his ability to solve problems on Mars.
    - Encourage groups to think of specific examples from the book (if they've read it) or hypothetical scenarios based on the excerpts.
    - Bring the class back together for a brief sharing session, highlighting key insights.

Step 4

Summary Statement & Cool Down

5 minutes

  • Display the 'Summary Statement' slide from Character Traits Slides.
    - Have students complete the Character Journal Entry reflecting on how an author's choice of voice impacts character development and problem-solving.
    - Collect journals or have students share one takeaway thought as an exit ticket.
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Slide Deck

Martian Mindset: Watney's Witty World

How do authors make characters feel real?
Today, we'll explore Mark Watney from 'The Martian'!

Greet students and prepare them for an engaging lesson on character analysis. Introduce the day's theme: understanding characters through their words and actions.

Warm-Up Question: Stranded on Mars!

Imagine you're stranded alone on Mars.

What's the first problem you'd try to solve?

How would your personality help you solve it?

Display the warm-up question. Give students a few minutes to think and then facilitate a brief discussion. Encourage creativity and personal connection to the scenario.

Meet Our Protagonist: Mark Watney

The Hero of Our Story

  • Protagonist: The main character in a story.
    • We follow their journey, challenges, and triumphs.
    • They drive the plot forward.

Introduce Mark Watney as the protagonist. Emphasize that he's the central character whose journey we follow. You can ask students if they know what a protagonist is.

Character Clues: Direct Characterization

The Author Tells Us Directly

  • Direct Characterization: When the author tells us exactly what a character is like.
    • Example: "Mark was intelligent and resourceful."

Explain direct characterization with a clear, simple example. Ask students if they can think of any examples from stories they know.

Character Clues: Indirect Characterization

We Learn Through Actions and Words

  • Indirect Characterization: When the author shows us what a character is like through:

    • Speech: What they say and how they say it.
    • Thoughts: Their internal feelings and ideas.
    • Effect on Others: How others react to them.
    • Actions: What they do.
    • Looks: Their appearance (sometimes).

  • Example: Mark meticulously repaired the damaged solar panel, mumbling sarcastic jokes to himself. (Reveals resourcefulness, humor)

Explain indirect characterization, providing examples of how it's shown. This is often more subtle and requires students to infer. Highlight the 'SHOW, DON'T TELL' aspect.

Watney's Wit & Wisdom: Your Turn!

Now it's your turn to be a Martian botanist of character!

Use your Watney's Wit & Wisdom Worksheet to dig into text excerpts and discover what makes Mark Watney tick.

Transition to the activity. Explain that students will be analyzing text excerpts for both direct and indirect characterization to understand Watney's voice and problem-solving approach. Distribute the worksheet now.

Group Brainstorm: Voice & Solutions

In your groups, discuss:

  1. What does Watney's 'voice' (how he speaks/thinks) tell us about him?
  2. How do his character traits help him solve problems on Mars?
  3. Provide specific examples!

Explain the group brainstorming task. Emphasize connecting Watney's personality (voice) to his practical skills and problem-solving success.

Summary Statement: The Power of Voice

How does an author's choice of a character's voice impact:

  • Character Development?
  • Problem-Solving in a story?

Reflect on this in your Character Journal Entry.

Conclude the lesson by asking students to summarize their learning or complete the journal entry. This acts as a cool-down and helps solidify understanding.

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Worksheet

Watney's Wit & Wisdom: Character Analysis

Name: _____________________________
Date: _____________________________

Directions: Read the following excerpts from "The Martian." For each excerpt, identify examples of direct characterization (when the author tells us directly about Watney) and indirect characterization (when the author shows us through his speech, thoughts, or actions). Then, explain how these details reveal Mark Watney's voice and his problem-solving skills.

Excerpt 1

"I'm pretty good at botany, as it turns out. And even better at not dying." (Mark Watney, Log Entry Sol 6)

1. Direct Characterization (if any):


2. Indirect Characterization (Speech/Thoughts/Actions):


3. How does this reveal Watney's voice and problem-solving?





Excerpt 2

"Okay, I've got to be honest with you. I'm totally hosed. But I have a plan. I'm going to 'science the sh*t out of this'." (Mark Watney, Log Entry Sol 6)

4. Direct Characterization (if any):


5. Indirect Characterization (Speech/Thoughts/Actions):


6. How does this reveal Watney's voice and problem-solving?





Excerpt 3

Watney spent hours meticulously patching the breach in his habitat, constantly muttering calculations and sarcastic remarks to himself about the unfairness of it all, yet never stopping his work. (Narrator's description/Internal Monologue example)

7. Direct Characterization (if any):


8. Indirect Characterization (Speech/Thoughts/Actions):


9. How does this reveal Watney's voice and problem-solving?





Challenge Question (Optional)

Think about a real-life problem you've faced. How did your own 'voice' (your attitude, way of thinking) help or hinder your ability to solve it?

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Journal

Character Journal Entry: The Power of Voice

Name: _____________________________
Date: _____________________________

Journal Prompt:

Today, we discussed how Andy Weir develops Mark Watney's character through his unique voice and his problem-solving skills.

Reflect on the following:

  1. How does Mark Watney's specific voice (his humor, sarcasm, scientific explanations, and overall attitude) make him a more engaging and believable character?
  2. How does an author's choice of a character's voice directly impact that character's ability to solve problems or overcome challenges within a story?
  3. Provide at least two specific examples from the excerpts we analyzed or from your general knowledge of Mark Watney to support your ideas.

















































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Martian Mindset: Watney's Witty World • Lenny Learning