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!) Aisha's request was due to her religious beliefs. For teachers, it is our duty to make sure that all of our students feel comfortable in the classroom. In order for her to be comfortable and do the assignment, she asked to be with all girls which should be taken into consideration. I would involve the parents and let them know about her reaction to the group project. Depending on the parent's response, I would have another talk with Aisha. She will have to know that in real life, she will have to work with men too, possibly. The main goal of the assignment was for the students to learn to cooperate, exchange ideas, and produce the project together. If Aisha is with all females completing this assignment and goals, I think that it will be fine that she is with the group she wants.