“Is the WITCH, UGLY or PRETTY?”
By Shavkat
@Shavkat (137214)
Philippines
April 20, 2018 11:27am CST
I had my last class session online and ended up with stress. There is a prompt in our lesson that I need to ask this question: “Is the witch, ugly or pretty?” The student answered with this photo. In fact, I was trying to pretend that I didn’t see it. He said, “Teacher, he is ugly.” This student is so persistent and I responded that’s not a good thing to say. Instead, I diverted his attention to the witch and asked the same question. Indeed, he responded that the witch is ugly.
Sometimes I find it weird that the lesson material is not appropriate for the children. But then, they need to know these simple words: ugly and pretty. I was so drained and can’t think of something that’s the best use of these adjectives.
“What would you answer with this particular question?”
“Are there any good examples with the usage of these two adjectives?”
13 people like this
13 responses
@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
20 Apr 18
I think children should understand the correct perception of the words "ugly" and "pretty". They must be taught words such as these but provide a deeper meaning of those words so they would be able to understand what it truly meant. At a young age, they are made to perceive things as they see it and not the correct connotation behind those words. It is shocking to hear children say that a girl like that is ugly. In its denotation, it is not beautiful because that is what they see but if you further explain to them, then I guess they would understand what ugly and pretty really mean.
5 people like this
@Shavkat (137214)
• Philippines
21 Apr 18
@mlgen1037 I had tried to explain to this young kid with some photos. Giving a photo that has a witch and princess. I took the advantage of saying about the bad behavior of a witch and that makes her ugly.
Image Credit: www.luigijannuzzi.com
2 people like this
@sabtraversa (12924)
• Italy
20 Apr 18
@mlgen1037 I agree. We have dictionaries with definitions, images aren't always worth a thousand words. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, after all.
Lizzie Velasquez has been called the ugliest woman in the world, by the internet. So she often appears as an example. But she moved on and she's now a motivational speaker, and I believe that makes her pretty, if not beautiful. 
1 person likes this
@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
21 Apr 18
@Shavkat I think that example is perfect then you can connote which one is "ugly" and "pretty". Make them understand that these words are much more than it implies. The picture is at least not biased (except for the color to determine who is bad and who is good). 
1 person likes this
@sabtraversa (12924)
• Italy
20 Apr 18
Ugly is something you want to avoid, and pretty is something you want to approach.
As easy as that. 
And it doesn't only apply to physical appearance.
And it doesn't only apply to physical appearance.5 people like this
@sabtraversa (12924)
• Italy
21 Apr 18
@mlgen1037 It doesn't ONLY apply, but it does often/always.
1 person likes this
@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
21 Apr 18
But the problem is people would actually look at the physical appearance first. I guess "Do not judge a book by its cover" applies?
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66857)
• Philippines
21 Apr 18
in logic, like what we studied during our freshmen college years, there is a big difference between "beautiful" and "NOT/NON beautiful"; a BLACK from a NON-BLACK and WHITE.
1 person likes this
@Shavkat (137214)
• Philippines
22 Apr 18
@ridingbet I do agree that some children have natural abilities. I hope they can use it and be productive in the future.
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66857)
• Philippines
22 Apr 18
@Shavkat some kids nowadays reach the IQ level nearly reaching Albert Einstein's. some though are not, and depend much about the online games in the net.
1 person likes this
@MsBooklover (3974)
• United States
20 Apr 18
I think when referring to something that is pretty or ugly, it is better to stay away from pictures of pople.
1 person likes this
@MsBooklover (3974)
• United States
21 Apr 18
@Shavkat I assume she was called a witch because of her looks which is unfair, too. We must remember that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. What is one man's treasure is another man's trash. Then too, some people look physically beautiful according to society's standards, but if you open the heart of the person and look inside....you may find something quite ugly.
1 person likes this
@Shavkat (137214)
• Philippines
22 Apr 18
@MsBooklover That's what I had explained to this young offspring. I do think he understood the message. He might be a slow learner but tried to comprehend the difference.
1 person likes this
@Shavkat (137214)
• Philippines
21 Apr 18
I agree. The student knows that I am taking the role of his teacher. I am not that strict but it should be in serious mode if it is necessary. I was also confirming if he knows this person in the picture. I must say something and it will be a big issue.
1 person likes this
@AKRao24 (27424)
• India
20 Apr 18
I agree such things should not be in the syllabus of young students! Had I been in your place I would have sid 'Dear Students please remember all pretty looking faces may not necessarily be not the witches and similarly all the ugly faces may not be the witches, as all lies in one's brain to become witch or not !' . Thanks @Shavkat !
1 person likes this
@caopaopao (12395)
• China
21 Apr 18
When I see the photo for the first sight. I feel he is too ugly. And for a while he looks even horrible.
1 person likes this
@caopaopao (12395)
• China
21 Apr 18
@Shavkat I agree with you. But beautiful man with beautiful mind will be better for me to accept. lol
1 person likes this
@Shiva49 (26200)
• Singapore
22 Apr 18
It is tough to say another is ugly.
Children should be taught all are part of creation and play their part like everyone else.
When we trash nature that is ugly. Flowers are pretty.
When we behave badly that is ugly and when we help another it is pretty - siva
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
20 Apr 18
Oh dear. That would be a tough one. @kobesbuddy had a good reply for examples. Perhaps the student didn't understand that calling the person in the photo "ugly" is a mean idea. May have just thought he was being honest. I know once I called a lady fat when I was a small child. (to my defense she was very large) I didn't know it was a bad thing or hurtful. My mom set me straight though.
1 person likes this
@Shavkat (137214)
• Philippines
21 Apr 18
It was quite a stressful one because the child is a slow learner and tried to translate the English language to Chinese. In the end, he had understood that bad behavior can lead to being ugly. It wasn't only physically but the attitude of a person. Honestly, I did something like what you had mentioned and eventually, I had realized that it was a bad thing to say.
1 person likes this
@Shavkat (137214)
• Philippines
23 Apr 18
@FayeHazel I think the official language is Mandarin. I personally think that every province there has the dialect.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
22 Apr 18
@Shavkat AH, it's good he understood finally the concept - behavior (not looks) leads to true ugliness.
How many languages to people typically learn there?
1 person likes this
