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!) I think every teacher should respect and honor religious rights as much as they can. Nevertheless, I agree that she will eventually have to work with males when she enters the workforce. If I were her teacher, I would explain to her that I understand and respect her beliefs. I would also inform her that she would eventually work with males. However, in order to accommodate and ease her into the uncomfortable situation, I would first pair her with all females. The next group project, I would add a male and so forth. This way she knows that you are honoring your word about respecting her but also valuing other students as well. As a teacher, you are suppose to challenge and teacher your students respect and openness to others. If she still had a problem working with males then I would contact her parents. Maybe it would be best for her to transfer to an all girl institution.