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!) From your planning, your intent was for the students to gain insight of how African Americans have huge accomplishments. I would approach the students and ask them why they are feeling they way that they are. After talking to them, I would explain that all races have certain accomplishments. I would show the rest of the class accomplishments from other races and check back to the students to see how they feel. Everyone should love the skin that they are in.