Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Case: Cannot Cooperate Aisha is known as a responsible and smart student. I have known her for the last two years, but this year is the first time she is taking one of my classes. She is in my 10th grade US History class. Recently, I started using small group projects in my class. I simply want my students to learn to cooperate, exchange ideas, and produce the project together. Although Aisha is willing to take part in these small group projects, she does not want to be in groups with male students because of her religious beliefs. When she told me about this, I told her that she was in the United States and that she had to work with whoever she is in a group with. In the first group project, Aisha was in a group with three males and one female students. She simply did not participate in any of the group activities. I wonder if should reconsider my original position on this issue and accommodate Aisha by having her work only with girls. Would I be doing her a disservice? What should I do? Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!) After analyzing this case study, I do feel as if you should reconsider your original position on the issue, especially since it is dealing with someone's religious beliefs. I feel that educators should respect the religious beliefs of all students. That does not mean that the educator has to agree with the student's religious beliefs, but it does mean that teachers do not have the right to impose their own feelings and beliefs onto the students, or judge them in any way shape or form. Freedom of religion is a fundamental human right that protects the conscience of all people. If your goal is the have the students learn to work together, exchange ideas, and complete a project, why should you really care if they are working with boys or girls?