The Mind of a Martian

Makaela Carias

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

The Mind of a Martian

Students will be able to analyze Mark Watney's motivations and internal conflicts based on his log entries.

This lesson is important because it helps students understand how authors develop characters through their internal thoughts and actions, and how to analyze those elements. It also builds empathy by putting students in another's shoes.

Audience

8th Grade Students

Time

35 minutes

Approach

Through guided discussion and personal journaling.

Materials

Reading excerpts from "The Martian" (provided by teacher), Slide Deck on Perspective, and Captain's Log Journal Activity

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Review Mark Watney's log entries and select key excerpts that highlight his motivations and internal conflicts.
- Prepare to project the Slide Deck on Perspective.
- Print copies of the Captain's Log Journal Activity for each student.
- Review all generated materials as needed.

Step 1

Warm-Up: Review of Watney's Character

5 minutes

Begin by asking students to recall what they know about Mark Watney from "The Martian."
Prompt discussion: "What kind of person is Mark Watney? What are some of his most notable traits?"

Step 2

Exploring Internal Thoughts (Slide Deck & Discussion)

10 minutes

Present the Slide Deck on Perspective to guide the discussion.
- Display selected log entries from Mark Watney.
- Lead a discussion using the following questions:
- "What is Mark Watney thinking and feeling in this log entry?"
- "What motivates him to keep going or make certain decisions?"
- "Can you identify any internal conflicts he's facing? (e.g., hope vs. despair, duty vs. self-preservation)"
- "How does his point of view shape our understanding of his situation?"

Step 3

Journaling from Watney's Perspective

15 minutes

Distribute the Captain's Log Journal Activity.
- Explain the activity: Students will choose a specific log entry (or a situation Watney faces) and write a journal entry from his perspective, focusing on his motivations and internal conflicts.
- Encourage students to use evidence from the text and their own inferences to inform their writing.
- Circulate and provide support as students work.

Step 4

Group Sharing & Cool Down

5 minutes

Invite students to share excerpts from their journal entries with a small group or the whole class.
- Conclude with a brief discussion: "What did you learn about Mark Watney's inner world today? How does understanding his motivations and conflicts add to the story?"
- Collect the Captain's Log Journal Activity for review.

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Slide Deck

The Mind of a Martian

Understanding Watney's World: Motivations & Conflicts on Mars!

Welcome students and introduce the lesson's focus on Mark Watney's inner world. Ask them to think about what it means to be stuck on Mars alone.

Point of View: Who's Telling the Story?

Point of View (POV): The perspective from which a story is told.
Mark Watney's log entries offer a first-person point of view.
How does seeing things through his eyes change our experience of the story?

Explain point of view (POV) and how it influences a story. Discuss how Mark Watney's log entries provide a unique, first-person perspective.

What Drives a Character? Motivation!

Motivation: The reason(s) a character acts, thinks, or feels a certain way.
What are Mark Watney's biggest motivations for survival?
How do his goals (like reaching Schiaparelli) influence his actions?

Define character motivation. Ask students to brainstorm what might motivate someone in Mark Watney's situation (survival, hope, family, science).

The Battle Within: Internal Conflict

Internal Conflict: A struggle that takes place within a character's mind.
Mark Watney often faces internal battles:
- Hope vs. Despair
- Loneliness vs. Determination
- Scientific Curiosity vs. Personal Safety
How do these struggles make him a more realistic character?

Explain internal conflict – a struggle within a character. Discuss examples from Watney's logs (e.g., loneliness vs. drive, hope vs. despair).

Walking in Watney's Boots: Empathy

Empathy: The ability to understand and share the feelings of another.
By analyzing Watney's log entries, we can:
- Understand his challenges.
- Relate to his human experience.
- Connect with his resilience.
How does putting yourself in his shoes change your understanding?

Define empathy and how understanding Watney's POV, motivations, and conflicts helps us feel for him. Encourage students to connect to his human experience.

Your Turn: Dive into Watney's Mind

Today, you'll become Mark Watney.
Choose a moment from his journey.
Write a journal entry from his perspective, focusing on his motivations and internal conflicts.

Review the concepts and transition to the journaling activity. Reiterate the importance of using Watney's perspective.

Journal

Captain's Log: Beyond the Surface

Mission: To boldly go where no student has gone before... into the mind of Mark Watney!

Instructions:

Imagine you are Mark Watney, alone on Mars. Choose one specific moment or challenge from his time on the Red Planet that we have discussed or you remember from the book. This could be:

After a major setback (e.g., the dust storm, crop failure).
When he makes a crucial discovery or invents a solution (e.g., making water, planning the traverse).
During a moment of extreme loneliness or a small victory.

Write a journal entry (like his log entries) from his perspective. In your entry, make sure to:

Describe the Situation: Briefly explain what is happening.
Reveal Your Motivations: What is driving you (as Watney) at this moment? What keeps you going? What are your goals?
Explore Internal Conflict: What thoughts or feelings are battling within you? Are you hopeful but also scared? Determined but exhausted? Scientific but emotional?
Use Watney's Voice: Try to capture his tone – his humor, resilience, scientific thinking, or frustration.

Your entry should be at least two paragraphs long.

My Captain's Log Entry:

Date (Sol):