Why this book is useful in the classroom:
Uglies provides an opportunity to allow students to explore the points of others through educational discussion. They can learn to value other opinions as a tool to further their own ideas. The characters in the book are convinced how to think and live a “right way”. Many students struggle with this kind of conformity in the high school setting rather than allowing their true selves to be apparent. By utilizing this book for a literary unit, students would not only learn how to decipher meanings behind the text but also take away the idea to respect other opinions no matter what they come across in life.
How It Can Be Challenged:
The beginning of the book describes the “pretties” as glorifying sex, parties, and alcohol but this challenge could be argued against because the main characters that role model the book go against the norm of their society suggesting alternative ways to have fun. Also, for those who don't fully engage in the book, they might challenge it saying that the book suggests only true happiness when you conform to looking "beautiful" rather than celebrating all shapes and sizes. However once reading further in depth, it becomes apparent that this book encourages individual thinking against against conformity, celebrating each individual just as they are.
Lesson Plan:
Subject: Literature Interpretation
Title: Uglies: The Perfect World Project
Objective:
Students will create their own ideal worlds through a creative writing project. Students will then present their worlds to the class generating a discussion about what does and does not work about their worlds and why.
Materials:
Storyboard, scissors, paper, computer, extra props, Uglies
Preparation:
Class reading of Uglies, class discussions and questions
Hook:
Uglies is a lot about personal identity and personal perception on what makes a desirable society. This book and project will generate discussion and allow for appreciation and tolerance of other points of view. After a class reading of the book, we will create two input/output lists of the positive and negative aspects of city Tally and Shay were from and the Smoke. There will need to be thoughtful reasoning behind each opinion.
Main Body:
Each student will create a “Perfect World” project. They will write a proposal for their world and their fellow students will act as a board of directors generating a discussion about what will and will not work about the proposed world. Students must have thoughtful reasoning to support their opinions. The written proposal will be turned in, but a storyboard or power-point will be used to present each student’s ideas to the class. The project must include:
· Laws of the world
· Lifestyle
· Map
· Currency exchange
· Title of the World
· Political leadership (if any)
· Job Forces (if any)
Guided Practice:
After completion of the project, each student will present a proposal to the class generating a discussion about what works in their world and what does not. There are no right or wrong answers, only participation. It will be important to establish that there must be thoughtful reasoning behind each opinion. The reasoning cannot be “because I dis/dislike it.” This lesson will allow for practice with tolerance of other opinions as well as practice with intelligent discussion and problem solving.
Conclusion:
Once all presentations have been completed each student will write about one thing they would like to change about the world around them. It can be political, social, educational, etc. They will need to explain why they want to change it and how they feel they could change it.
Bridge-out:
As a class we will discuss what everyone learned from this experience.
Discussion Questions Provided by Scott Westerfeld
1. Have you ever had a friend like Peris, who abandoned your friendship after they moved away?
2. At first, did you hope Tally would get the operation? When did you change your mind? (Or did you?)
3. Have you ever found yourself trusting someone more or paying more attention to what they said not because they deserved it, but just because of their looks?
4. In what ways did Tally’s trip through the wild prepare her for what she learned in the Smoke?
5. Would you give up your ability to think independently in exchange for being happy, beautiful, perpetually healthy, and rich?
6. How did David see Tally differently than she saw herself?
7. If Shay could have gone back in time and never have met Tally, do you think she would?
8. Other than the pretty operation, what are the main differences between the pretty society and our own? (Are there any ways in which the pretty society is healthier than ours?)
9. To what extent did Tally decide her own fate, and how much did other people decide it for her?
10. The Rusty civilization collapsed because of its dependence on oil. In what ways is your lifestyle dependent on oil and gasoline? How easily would you survive if it all disappeared one day?
Discussion Questions Provided by Scott Westerfeld
1. Have you ever had a friend like Peris, who abandoned your friendship after they moved away?
2. At first, did you hope Tally would get the operation? When did you change your mind? (Or did you?)
3. Have you ever found yourself trusting someone more or paying more attention to what they said not because they deserved it, but just because of their looks?
4. In what ways did Tally’s trip through the wild prepare her for what she learned in the Smoke?
5. Would you give up your ability to think independently in exchange for being happy, beautiful, perpetually healthy, and rich?
6. How did David see Tally differently than she saw herself?
7. If Shay could have gone back in time and never have met Tally, do you think she would?
8. Other than the pretty operation, what are the main differences between the pretty society and our own? (Are there any ways in which the pretty society is healthier than ours?)
9. To what extent did Tally decide her own fate, and how much did other people decide it for her?
10. The Rusty civilization collapsed because of its dependence on oil. In what ways is your lifestyle dependent on oil and gasoline? How easily would you survive if it all disappeared one day?
