On Pretty People....

Me: (passing out packets that feature the show Ugly Betty on the front, followed by info about gothic dress on page 2, pictures of models on page 3, including Channing Tatum, Zac Efron, and Amy Adams)  "Okay, now I have a packet for you that we're going to use to talk about ugliness and beauty in our society in America. When I give it to you, stay on the first page, because I don't want anyone to get distracted."

Students: (as one, turn to page 3)

Kathleen: "Oooh look at this---this girl is so HOT."

Me: (still passing out packets) "Um, I'm pretty sure you're not talking about Ugly Betty, so why are you flipping the pages?"

Other Students: "Ahhhhhh! Zac Efron! This chick is hot! Channing Tatum! Etc!"

Me: "Ok, since we're all stuck on the model page anyway, let's do that one first. When you look at the pretty celebrities, how do you feel?"

Justin: "Ugly."

Harris: "I love them."

Me: "Why do we love them? What is it about them that makes us want them?"

Frank: "Because they're 'bomb' attractive, Ms. Sefcik."

Me: "Of course. But what qualities make them so attractive?"

Kathleen: "Maybe because they're symmetrical, like they say in the book."

Justin: "Tristan, you're looking very symmetrical today."

Tristan: "Why, thank you. Your eyes look like they're the same size as well."

Me: "Wow. I don't even know what to say to that. So let's move on to ugly. How do we define 'ugly' in our culture?"

Lexi: "Braces. But only on older people."

Sara: "Yeah, like, I have braces, but that's okay."

Lexi: "Your braces are cute."

Sara: "Thanks, I got pink bands this time."

Lexi: "I know, I like them better than the green ones. Those made you look like you had lettuce in your teeth."

Justin: "My braces are sexy."

Andy: "Ms. Sefcik, have you ever seen Chelsea's pictures on Facebook?"

Rob: "Oh my gosh, yeah! She gets 600 likes on every one of her pictures!"

Andy: "She is SO HOT!"

Boys: (chime in, agreeing that Chelsea's pictures are attractive)

Me: "Does she go to school here?"

Andy: "No."

Me: "Then how would I know her?"

Andy: "I don't know."

Me: "Okay. I feel we've gotten somewhat off track. What's the problem with these pictures of celebrities? Why might we feel ugly or upset with ourselves when we look at them?"

Noel: "Women are fake."

Me: "Fake like photoshopped?"

Noel: "Yeah. They add in stuff that's not really there."

Justin: "Like in those Gatorade commercials where they're sweating all over the place and it's not really like that, because I've tried!"

Me: "You've tried? Do you mean to tell me you've tried to sweat blue Gatorade in real life?"

Justin: "Do you mean to tell me you haven't?"

Noel: "Though I have to admit....Channing Tatum is really attractive."

The Rest of the Class: "....................................HAHAHAHAHA."

Noel: "What? He is."