Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Case: Why Should I Listen? As part of my 7th grade Social Studies curriculum, I have to talk about slavery, the civil rights movement, etc. The topic ultimately leads to a discussion of how Whites oppressed Blacks. I try to present these topics in a way that does not suggest any guilt. This year, one of my students had a very bad reaction. When we were talking about the civil rights, John, one of my well-behaved but opinionated students, got up and said that he did not want to listen to this lesson anymore, because all we did was to demonize the White people. Three other students openly agreed with him saying that these topics made them angry. I have to cover these topics because they are a part of my curriculum. Also, I believe in the importance teaching children about these inequalities. However, it seems like the way I teach, which is mainly based on lectures and small group work, is making my White students uncomfortable. What should I do to make sure that my White students do not feel offended by these topics? Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!) I think that instead of doing your typical lecture and small group, you should switch up your teaching style. For example, you could do an assimilation like a play or maybe you could watch a video. In the video or play, make sure that you include a white person that was doing the right thing. All white people were not racist during the Civil Rights movement. Most of them were, however some of them stood up against discrimination. It is important that they understand that what happened during that time period was reality, but the point of learning about history is so that we don't make the same mistakes twice. If they are angry about what is being taught, that should be an indication that it was wrong and they feel strongly about it.