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  Case: Iranian student
I was a paraprofessional for a second grade class a few years ago. Since it was basically a military town, many of the students had military parents. One of the students in our class was Iranian. He spoke perfect English, but he and his parents had thick accents. His mom wore traditional Iranian clothing, but the student didn't. He wore what all the other kids wore: blue jeans and t-shirts.

When the school year started, I noticed that the other kids stayed away from the Iranian student. The teacher tried to get the students to interact with each other, but it was no use. Looking back, I wonder if it was the student's personality or his culture that the other kids tried to stay away from. How could a teacher get students to give the Iranian student a chance? How could we get second graders to make friends with everyone?
Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!)
There are several team building activities that this teacher could do. The only problem I see with this is that once the activity is over, so is the teamwork, especially with younger children. I would sit the students in pairs, taking special care in choosing a student to sit with the new student. I would give it enough time for them to become well acquainted and then I would change their partners. Students at this age do very well in pairs. According to research in developmentally appropriate practices, 7 year olds actually perform better in pairs than in groups. It is much easier to make friends with one student at a time. It may take time, but he will make friends.
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I agree with this solution. I also like how you mention that teamwork is over once the activity is over. I like the idea of the students changing partners. This allows you to make sure the Iranian student is making friends without it becoming noticeable by the other students.
Rated On: February 11, 2013 1:06 pm
Rated By: Meredith Talley
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments:
Rated On: February 18, 2013 12:37 am
Rated By: Suzi Hancock
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: Agree
Rated On: February 24, 2015 4:51 pm
Rated By: zyWute
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I believe this is a great idea. It is the same tip I would have given. Pairing them up, and then changing the partners is great. Perhaps making it fun and letting the kids interview eachother would be a neat idea as well!
Rated On: October 25, 2015 10:44 pm
Rated By: uSezaV
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: .
Rated On: November 3, 2015 8:37 pm
Rated By: yDyjuB
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: This is a great solution, especially putting the students in pairs, which will build some good relationships.
Rated On: March 5, 2017 9:24 pm
Rated By: uheVaX
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I agree with your point that while group lessons and cultural parties and activities are great and necessary, it should end there. Sitting students together and in pairs, and switching it up constantly forces students to interact with everyone. and once you get to know someone who seems different from you then you always begin to see that they weren't so different after up.
Rated On: February 22, 2020 2:19 am
Rated By: Vanessa Tuliau