Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Case: I Wish I Were Black! As a teacher of 5th grade students, I try to make sure that my students have a good sense of all the people and cultures that make up this country. Last couple weeks, I paid special attention to the African American people who have made significant contributions to the US. We read a book written by Walter Dean Myers. We have studied scientists, writers, and political figures. Students were very engaged and interested in the content. Yesterday something happened that puzzled me. Three of my White students told me that they wished they were Black. This was not my intention when I planned all my lessons on contributions of African Americans. How should I address this issue? Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!) I would use their comments as a writing lesson. Allow to express their feelings on paper, like a journal entry. Why do they want to change who they are now to someone else? Reading their assignment will allow you to understand why they made that particular comment. You would also be able to have a follow up lesson to steer them towards your original intent when you planned your lessons.