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 would have a conference with the student before telling her she was in America and that she was expected to do as we do. Until I could conference with the parents and Aisha together to discuss the issue, I would simply place her in a group with females. I do feel that religious beliefs need to be respected. However,in the conference I would explain that when Aisha gets a job she may very well have to make a decision to work alongside males or not have the job. I also would watch her interaction with males throughout the day to see if she interacts with them. If she does, then I would definitely bring this to her attention and her parents and get clarification. I would possibly have her work in a group with at least one male at that point.