lenny

Watney's Wild Traits

user image

Lesson Plan

Watney's Wild Traits

Students will be able to identify and provide textual evidence for Mark Watney's key character traits (resilience, humor, resourcefulness).

Understanding character traits helps us analyze stories more deeply and recognize how personal qualities can lead to overcoming challenges in both fiction and real life.

Audience

8th Grade

Time

35 minutes

Approach

Close reading, discussion, and an interactive activity.

Materials

Character Traits Slide Deck, and Watney's Report Card Activity

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up & Introduction (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Begin with a quick discussion question: "What makes a character truly memorable?" (Focus on personality traits).
    - Introduce the objective: "Today, we're going to become character detectives, specifically looking at Mark Watney from 'The Martian' to uncover his most important traits."

Step 2

Vocabulary Practice & Reading New Chapters (10 minutes)

10 minutes

  • Briefly review any new vocabulary encountered in the recent chapters.
    - Have students silently read a pre-selected short passage (or passages) from the current reading assignment that highlights Watney's character.
    - While reading, prompt students to think about: "What actions or thoughts show us what kind of person Mark Watney is?"

Step 3

Character Trait Analysis (10 minutes)

10 minutes

  • Project the Character Traits Slide Deck.
    - Discuss the key concepts: Resilience, Humor, Resourcefulness.
    - For each trait, ask students to share specific examples from the text they just read (or prior readings) where Watney demonstrates that trait. Encourage them to provide textual evidence.
    - Guide the discussion to ensure students understand the definitions and can connect them to Watney's actions and dialogue.

Step 4

Activity: Watney's Report Card (7 minutes)

7 minutes

  • Distribute the Watney's Report Card Activity.
    - Explain that students will give Mark Watney a "report card" grade for each trait (Resilience, Humor, Resourcefulness) and provide a brief justification with textual evidence.
    - Circulate and assist students as they complete the activity.

Step 5

Debate: Watney's Best Trait & Wrap-Up (3 minutes)

3 minutes

  • Facilitate a quick class debate: "Which of Watney's traits (resilience, humor, or resourcefulness) do you think is his most important for survival on Mars? Why?"
    - Encourage students to use their justifications from the report card.
    - Conclude by summarizing how understanding character traits enriches our reading and appreciation of stories.
lenny
0 educators
use Lenny to create lessons.

No credit card needed

Slide Deck

Watney's Wild Traits: Becoming Character Detectives!

What makes a character truly unforgettable? Is it their super strength? Their amazing gadgets? Or something else entirely?

Greet students and introduce the day's lesson. Ask a hook question to get them thinking about memorable characters.

What are Character Traits?

Character Traits: These are the qualities that make up a character's personality. They describe who a character is.

Why do they matter?

  • Help us understand characters' actions
  • Make characters feel real
  • Show how characters change or grow

Define character traits and explain why they are important for understanding stories and people.

Trait 1: Resilience

Resilience: The ability to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.

  • How does Mark Watney show resilience when things go wrong on Mars? (Think about the very beginning of the book!)
  • What specific actions or thoughts demonstrate his ability to bounce back?

Introduce the first key trait: Resilience. Ask students to recall examples from "The Martian".

Trait 2: Humor

Humor: The quality of being amusing or comic.

  • Why do you think Watney uses humor, even in dire situations?
  • Can you remember any funny quotes or situations involving Watney?

Introduce the second key trait: Humor. Ask students to recall examples.

Trait 3: Resourcefulness

Resourcefulness: The ability to find quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties.

  • What are some of the most clever solutions Watney comes up with to solve problems on Mars?
  • How does he use what's available to him?

Introduce the third key trait: Resourcefulness. Ask students to recall examples.

Watney's Report Card

Now it's your turn to grade Mark Watney!

We're going to complete the Watney's Report Card Activity where you'll assess his resilience, humor, and resourcefulness. Make sure to back up your grades with evidence from the book!

Explain the activity and transition students to working on their report cards.

lenny

Activity

Watney's Report Card: Grading a Martian Hero!

Student Name: ________________________

Mark Watney, stranded on Mars, definitely has a unique set of skills and personality traits. For this activity, you will act as a Martian teacher and create a report card for Mark Watney based on the character traits we discussed. For each trait, assign him a grade (A, B, C, D, or F) and then provide a clear justification using specific examples and textual evidence from The Martian.

Trait 1: Resilience

Definition: The ability to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.

Watney's Grade: ______

Justification (Why did you give him this grade? Provide specific examples and textual evidence!):












Trait 2: Humor

Definition: The quality of being amusing or comic.

Watney's Grade: ______

Justification (Why did you give him this grade? Provide specific examples and textual evidence!):












Trait 3: Resourcefulness

Definition: The ability to find quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties.

Watney's Grade: ______

Justification (Why did you give him this grade? Provide specific examples and textual evidence!):












lenny
lenny

Activity

Watney's Report Card: Grading a Martian Hero!

Student Name: ________________________

Mark Watney, stranded on Mars, definitely has

lenny
lenny
Watney's Wild Traits • Lenny Learning