T & A in a High School Curriculum

I've been working with the 9th graders on Romeo and Juliet. Good times! Every week the layout is about the same; read the act, do a study guide, some little activity, and then quiz on friday followed by watching the movie.

This week we got to the Romeo's Naked Ass scene. I made no comment to the students. I just let nature take its course.

The first hour class is the walking dead class. Zombies. I have seriously thought of bringing a cattle prod to get the discussion ball rolling sometimes. They didn't even flinch at first. There were no stiffled giggles.

But several did whip around to make eye-contact with me while I was in the back of the room. A look of, "ARE YOU SEEING THIS?!" etched in their small eyes. They couldn't believe bare flesh was on a TV screen and they were allowed to see it.

Overall I was impressed. There was no twittering or anything during the movie. I thought to myself, "see! Freshmen really are mature sometimes!"

Quickly that thought was dashed when on the way out two boys were talking...

Boy 1: "Dude did you see his butt? Could they have showed it any longer?!"

Boy 2: "I KNOW! Man, it was like up there an hour!"

I silently giggled to myself but figured if that was their worst complaint so be it.

9th hour (the other section of 9th graders) came thundering in. This group is a lot more lively and has a lot more "Behavioral Issues". Again, I wasn't going to comment.

One little angel came flying into the room, "HEY EVERYONE! I heard we get to see naked people in class today!!"

I told him he could cover his eyes if it was too much for him to handle.

They were prepped for it. The first flash of naked butt got some twitters. Then the full on butt caused some groans and mummbles. When Juliet's boob gets flashed for .04 seconds there was a general cry of, "WHAT ARE YOU SHOWING US?!"

One girl said, "This is so gross! They are like 14!"

To which I had to say, "But they are married!"

That shut 'em up. But they weren't totally buying it.

You'd think the Super Bowl Half Time Show would have toughened them up for a little skin action.