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!) I think I would personally consult my administrators. If it is truly part of her religious beliefs and you force her to do something that is against that then you could be crossing a legal boundary. I would consult my administrators and school counselors on how best to handle the situation. If I handled this by myself I am not sure what I would do since there are so many ways this could go. Small groups are important and very helpful but if working with males makes her so uncomfortable that she refuses to participate then another route should be considered.