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 approach these students each in an individual conference and then in a small group conference to discuss the issue. I would want to know each student's opinion for why they made that comment in order to gain insight into each student's thinking process. Then, I would hold a small group conference with the three students to explain how race or any other one quality determines the success or intelligence of an individual. Each individual possesses qualities that he or she can use to impact the world positively. Finally, I would explain how the class is doing special studies on various groups of people and cultures in the United States in order to become more culturally aware and become informed of the contributions made from different people.