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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!)
On one hand I think Aisha needs to realize that schools in American its almost impossible not to have interactions with males. Unless she attended an all girl school. I would want to know more details of why she cannot work with a group containing boys. I think a parent conference would also be a good idea to discuss this issue with her parents. For the time being to make Aisha feel comfortable I would just pull a couple of girls together and let her join their group. If Aisha's parents are still strong in their belief and will not change for just classroom discussions then I would make accommodations for Aisha from here on out.