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  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 personally think that if you removed Aisha from the situation, and let her work with only females you would be doing her a disservice. I understand that she may not be comfortable working with males just yet, but she has got to learn how to work with other people. The reason I think you would be doing her a disservice is because when she gets thrown into the working world, she will have to work with both genders despite her preferences. if she doesn't learn now how to work with both genders she would be completely lost as an adult. I believe this is a skill she needs to learn early so she can be successful in life and in the working world.