Explicit Instruction

1-63 Summary

1. A family of five arrives on Mars, stepping off a rocket that has just landed in a Martian meadow.

2. The man, Mr. Bittering, feels disoriented and fearful of the alien environment, sensing something is wrong.

3. He urges his wife, Cora, to return to Earth, but she dismisses his concerns, suggesting they are safe on Mars.

1-63 Summary

1. Despite settling in a cottage, the Bittering family experiences a constant, underlying fear of being out of place.

2. Mr. Bittering expresses a deep sense of isolation and confusion, as he feels out of sync with Mars.

3. The children, especially David, express unease about the Martian landscape and question whether Martians still exist.

1-63 Summary

1. Laura, their daughter, hears on a radio that Earth has been hit by atom bombs, and no more rockets will come to Mars.

2. The family is stranded on Mars, with no way to return to Earth, intensifying Mr. Bittering's fear and anxiety.

3. Mr. Bittering tries to maintain hope, believing that the rockets might someday return, but his fear grows.

1-63 Summary

1. As the family adapts to life on Mars, they struggle with the changing environment and their increasing sense of alienation.

2. Mr. Bittering begins to question the nature of Mars itself, wondering if they are gradually losing their identity and connection to Earth.

3. One day, Mr. Bittering notices that the plants in their garden have changed in subtle but alarming ways, signaling that Mars may be affecting them in unexpected ways.

Listen to 33-64

Guided Practice

Identifying mood

The mood = Feeling while reading
The moods of our story:

• tense,

• uneasy,

• and anxious.

Identifying mood

The mood = Feeling while reading
The moods of our story:

• tense,

• uneasy,

• and anxious.

Identifying Theme

Theme = Lesson learned while reading
The current theme of our story:

• Isolation -  The family feels disconnected from Earth

Characters

1. Mr. Harry Bittering - The father, who feels fearful and isolated on Mars.

2. Cora Bittering - His wife, who tries to stay optimistic and dismisses his fears.

3. Dan Bittering - One of their children, though not very prominent in the story.

Characters

1. Laura Bittering - Another of their children, who brings the news about Earth’s destruction.

2. David Bittering - The youngest child, who expresses unease about Mars and its changes.

3. The Martians - Though not seen directly, their presence looms throughout the story. The Martians' past and their influence on the environment are central to the story.

Read paragraphs 64-93 (HmH) and complete the discussion questions (google classroom).