SUBMIT THIS BLUEPRINT TO YOUR INSTRUCTOR PAGE 2/2
— Author Ben Philippe (Ch. 8)
Debate Prompt:
"Henri uses humor to deflect questions about his private life. Is humor a healthy shield, or is it a barrier to real intimacy?"
CARD 07
"Black-on-Black romance hasn't always been prioritized in publishing... I wanted to show a full, layered romance between two Black characters—not as a secondary element."
— Author Ben Philippe (Ch. 11)
Debate Prompt:
"Why is it powerful to see fully layered, joyful romances representing Black teenagers instead of only stories about struggle and trauma?"
CARD 08
"The idea started forming around the college admissions scandal... wealthy parents gaming the system to get their kids into elite schools... I wanted to tell the story of a kid who truly valued that path..."
— Author Ben Philippe (Ch. 9)
Debate Prompt:
"If the college admissions system is already fundamentally unfair, does a student like Henri have a moral right to 'cheat' or manipulate his way in?"
Charming as a Verb Lesson Materials PAGE 2 OF 2
▶ **Student Work:** Direct students to complete **Section 3 (Page 2 of the Hustle Blueprint)**.
Imposter Syndrome Coaching Tip:
"Validate the deep stress students feel about GPA, peer judgment, and future options. Highlight Philippe's suggestion that fake confidence can be a useful tool when entering spaces that feel exclusionary."
**Goal:** Move students into conversational circles to argue low-stakes, real-world ethical dilemmas from the novel.
▶ **Setup:** Put students in groups of 3-4. Cut and distribute **Hustle Mask Cards**.
▶ **Execution:** Within groups, students draw a card, read the scenario/quote, and debate the prompt. Ensure every group covers at least **Card 5 (The Confidence Superpower)** and **Card 8 (The Admissions Scandal)**.
Pro-Tip for High Participation:
Walk around and award "Hustler Points" to the group with the most energetic debate. Encourage students who normally stay quiet to take on the "Charm" role and present their group's arguments.
**Goal:** Reflect on personal masks, and introduce Corinne's blackmail deal to leave them wanting to read.
▶ **Action:** Project **Slide 6 (Corinne's Deal)**. Explain the blackmail pact. Then, have students complete **Section 4 (Exit Ticket: The Mask I Designed)** on their worksheet.
▶ **Closing Hook:** Read Chapter One aloud to close the lesson. Stop right when the dog Mrs. Ponech hands Henri Pogo.
Charming as a Verb Facilitation Materials PAGE 2 OF 2
📖 ADULT NONFICTION
Exploring identity through biting wit and humor.
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SCREENWRITING TELEVISION
HOLLYWOOD WRITING ROOMS
The Screen
Ben Philippe is not just an author of books; he is also a screenwriter and television writer based in Los Angeles and New York.
His experience writing television script dialogue explains the exceptionally fast-paced, funny, and cinematic conversations between characters in his books.
Writer & Story Editor (Hulu Series)
Staff Writer (Freeform Series)
A multi-format storyteller bridging books and television.
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THEMES ARTISTIC VISION
BEN PHILIPPE'S CORE THEMES
His Storytelling?
Ben Philippe's stories focus on the complex, awkward, and humorous parts of identity, focusing on how young people find their voice.
"I write about teenagers because they're on this awkward precipice... deciding who they want to perform as."
01
How characters wear social masks, code-switch, or act confident when insecure.
02
Exposing class divisions, high-stress elite environments, and the immigrant hustle.
03
Using wit and banter as armor, a defense mechanism, and a path to deeper truths.
Keep these themes in mind as we read Henri and Corinne's stories!
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Unmatched person at the end: walk down the center to the other side.
You now have a brand new Two-Step partner. Greet them!
Get ready for Practice Round 3 with your new partner!
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PRACTICE ROUND 3 SCENARIO C
Coffee Tipster
A dog walker (like Henri!) who memorizes the exact coffee order of every client to guarantee an extra big holiday tip.
State: Is it Genuine or a Mask/Hustle?
"This is pure hustle because..."
Justify or add one more real-world connection.
"The answer is _____ because _____."
Practice is over! Ready for the official showdown?
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PARTNER SHIFT SLIDE!
Shift Partners!
Everyone take 1 step to the right to find your next matchup!
Round 4 is starting with your new match!
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ROUND 4 SCENARIO 4
Flattery Follow
Liking and commenting "OMG so true!" on a popular kid's social media post even though you actually found it extremely boring.
Genuine or Mask? Summarize the strategy.
Justify: Agree/disagree or give a social media alternative.
Partner B leads off this time! Discuss for 45 seconds.
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ROUND 5 SCENARIO 5
Parent Pleaser
Offering to wash all the dinner dishes without being asked, right before you ask your parents for $50 to go out with friends.
Genuine or Mask/Hustle? Explain.
Justify: Why does this transaction work at home?
Partner A leads off! Keep the energy high!
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PARTNER SHIFT SLIDE!
Shift Partners!
Slide 1 step to the right to face your next opponent!
Get ready for Round 6!
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ROUND 6 SCENARIO 6
Group-Chat Ghost
Direct-messaging a group project member to say "you did an amazing job" only because you know they did all the actual work and you need them to cover for you with the teacher.
Genuine connection or purely a leverage mask?
Justify: Is this exploitation or just clever survival?
Partner B leads! Focus on how common this is in school.
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ROUND 7 SCENARIO 7
Double-Tap Apology
Apologizing profusely to a friend for missing their birthday party, but secretly being glad you got to stay home and play video games instead.
Genuine or Mask? Identify the lie.
Justify: Is protecting their feelings a form of real "charm"?
Partner A leads! Talk about the social utility of polite lies.
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PARTNER SHIFT SLIDE!
Shift Partners!
Slide 1 step to the right to face your next opponent!
Starting Round 8!
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ROUND 8 SCENARIO 8
Sibling Shield
Helping your younger sibling with their tough math homework only because you want your parents to let you borrow the car this weekend.
Genuine kindness or transactional hustle?
Justify: If a good action has a selfish motive, does it still count as "charm"?
Partner B leads! Think about the outcomes vs. the motives.
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ROUND 9 SCENARIO 9
Hype-Man Hustle
Telling an acquaintance that their terrible outfit looks "absolutely incredible and unique" just to make them feel confident before a big presentation.
Genuine empathy or a deceptive mask?
Justify: Is lying to boost someone's self-esteem a "superpower"?
Partner A leads! Debate whether white lies are essential for charm.
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PARTNER SHIFT SLIDE!
Shift Partners!
Slide 1 step to the right to face your next opponent!
Starting Round 10!
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ROUND 10 SCENARIO 10
Secret Savior
Anonymously paying for the student behind you in the school lunch line whose account ran out of money so they don't get turned away.
Genuine charm or low-key hustle?
Justify: Why does being anonymous make this feel different?
Partner B leads! Contrast this with doing it for public praise.
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ROUND 11 SCENARIO 11
Coach's Con
Staying late to pack up the basketball gear and chatting with the head coach, specifically hoping to secure more starting playing time in Friday's game.
Genuine relationship building or strategic hustle?
Justify: Is showing extra effort to get ahead a positive hustle?
Partner A leads! Debate whether "networking" is just another name for hustle.
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PARTNER SHIFT SLIDE!
Shift Partners!
Slide 1 step to the right to face your next opponent!
Starting Round 12!
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ROUND 12 SCENARIO 12
Resume Rescuer
Volunteering to organize a massive charity food drive purely because your private college counselor said you desperately need more "community leadership" on your application.
Genuine community spirit or transactional mask?
Justify: If a community benefits, does the selfish motive even matter?
Partner B leads! Connect this directly to Henri's obsession with Columbia.
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ROUND 13 SCENARIO 13
Transit Sympathy
Giving up your seat on a incredibly crowded NYC subway train to an elderly person because you genuinely feel they need it more than you do.
Genuine empathy or public-relations mask?
Justify: Why is this simple act of decency becoming rarer in cities?
Partner A leads! Discuss the power of everyday unmasked actions.
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DEBRIEF THE VERDICT
Unmasking the Audit
Learned Today?
We constantly cycle between genuine connections and calculated social masks. Like Henri, we use whatever tools we have to succeed.
"Is a mask always a bad thing? Or can a calculated mask protect your heart while you survive the hustle?"
👉 Return to your seats and complete the Hustle Blueprint Exit Ticket!
Thank you for playing the Charm Audit Showdown!
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