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!) This is tough scenario. It is understandable that every culture has their own beliefs and practices; however, it is important that the student integrates with American culture as well, considering this is the culture by which she will obtain an education. The teacher is right to acknowledge that although uncomfortable, this is a growing pain that the student must overcome-especially if the plan is to integrate her into American society. The goal for the teacher should be to remain sensitive and respectful to the student's culture, while specifying and promoting the need for American social skills such as co-ed collaboration. My recommendation is that the teacher arranges a meeting with the student's parents and hear their perspective. The teacher may or may not get the parents "on board"; however, I believe the meeting itself would illustrate an attempt to resolve the matter and even introduce a broader perspective. During the meeting, it would be helpful to express the purpose of co-ed group collaboration and discuss how it would contribute to the student's development and social skills in context with American culture. If the parents are unwilling to comply, the last result maybe to simply provide individual assignments in cases where the student must work within a group.