lenny

Meanwhile, Back on Earth...

user image

Lesson Plan

Meanwhile, Back on Earth...

Students will be able to compare and contrast the different points of view presented in the novel.

Understanding different points of view helps students analyze how stories are told and how characters' perspectives influence events, leading to a richer appreciation of literature and empathy for diverse viewpoints.

Audience

8th Grade

Time

35 minutes

Approach

Through direct instruction, guided comparison, and reflective writing.

Materials

Point of View Slide Deck, and NASA's Log Journal Prompt

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Step 1

Warm-up: What is Point of View?

5 minutes

  1. Begin with a quick poll: "Who here has ever told a story to a friend, only to have another friend tell the exact same story with completely different details?"
    2. Introduce the concept of Point of View using Point of View Slide Deck (Slide 1-2).
    3. Ask students to quickly write down their definition of 'Point of View' in their notebooks or on a scrap piece of paper.

Step 2

Comparing Watney's and NASA's POV

10 minutes

  1. Transition to the novel. Explain that today we'll be looking at how the story is told from different angles.
    2. Use Point of View Slide Deck (Slide 3-5) to discuss First Person (Watney's log entries) and Third Person (NASA's perspective).
    3. Read aloud or have students read pre-selected excerpts from the novel: one from Watney's perspective (first-person) and one describing NASA's actions/thoughts (third-person).
    4. Lead a brief discussion: "How does each perspective make you feel? What information does each perspective give us that the other might not?"

Step 3

Group Discussion on Perspective

10 minutes

  1. Divide students into small groups (3-4 students).
    2. Provide each group with a discussion prompt (see Point of View Slide Deck, Slide 6): "If you only read Watney's log entries, how would your understanding of the mission be different compared to if you only read about NASA's efforts? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each point of view?"
    3. Circulate among groups, facilitating discussion and listening for key insights.
    4. Bring the class back together for a brief share-out of group findings.

Step 4

Journal Entry from another POV

10 minutes

  1. Introduce the NASA's Log Journal Prompt.
    2. Explain that students will write a journal entry from the perspective of a NASA employee, reflecting on a key event in the novel from their point of view.
    3. Emphasize using details and emotional reactions appropriate to a NASA team member, contrasting with Watney's perspective.
    4. Students will work independently on their journal entries.
lenny
0 educators
use Lenny to create lessons.

No credit card needed

Slide Deck

Who's Telling the Story?

Have you ever heard two different people tell the 'same' story?

Were the details always exactly alike? Why or why not?

Introduce the idea that stories can be told from different angles. Use the prompt to get students thinking about how different people might describe the same event differently.

What is Point of View?

Point of View (POV): The perspective from which a story is told.

It's like looking at the world through someone else's eyes (or ears!).

Define point of view clearly for students. Explain that it's about who is narrating the story.

First Person Point of View

"I," "Me," "My"

- The narrator is a character IN the story.
- We see the story through THEIR eyes and know THEIR thoughts and feelings.
- Think: Mark Watney's log entries!

Introduce First Person POV. Connect it to Watney's log entries in the novel.

Third Person Point of View

"He," "She," "They," "It"

- The narrator is NOT a character in the story.
- They are an outside observer.
- Can be limited (knows one character's thoughts) or omniscient (knows all characters' thoughts).
- Think: How we learn about NASA's side of the mission!

Introduce Third Person POV. Connect it to how we learn about NASA's actions.

POV: What's the Difference?

First Person:
- Deep dive into one character's experience.
- Personal, subjective, limited to one perspective.

### Third Person:
- Broader view of events and multiple characters.
- Can be more objective, or offer different insights.

Briefly summarize the difference. Emphasize how each POV provides unique information.

Group Discussion: Watney vs. NASA

If you only read Watney's log entries, how would your understanding of the mission be different compared to if you only read about NASA's efforts?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of each point of view?

This slide provides the discussion prompt for group work.

lenny

Journal

NASA's Log: Reflecting on the Red Planet

Imagine you are a mission specialist at NASA, closely involved with the Ares III mission and the efforts to rescue Mark Watney. Choose one significant event from the novel (e.g., discovering Watney is alive, the 'Rich Purnell Maneuver' idea, the supply probe failure, the final rescue attempt).

Write a journal entry (at least two paragraphs) from your perspective as a NASA employee. In your entry, consider the following:

  • What was your emotional reaction to this event? How did it affect you and your colleagues?
  • What technical or logistical challenges did this event present to NASA?
  • How does your perspective of this event differ from what Watney might have written in his logs? What are you thinking or feeling that he couldn't possibly know?
  • What was the mood like at NASA during this time?





























lenny
lenny
Meanwhile, Back on Earth... • Lenny Learning