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Case: Preparing Small-Town Students for the Big World
A teacher spent most of her career working at a 5-A high school in the suburbs of a large city. She has relocated to a different state and now teaches at a 1-A high school in a very small, rural town. Many of her gifted/honors students would like to go to major universities; however, many of the gifted/honors students express extreme narrow-mindedness in class discussions. The teacher has tried and tried to explain what living in a large metropolitan area is like, in addition to the countless explanations that "not everyone would agree" with the students' perspectives. These narrow-minded perspectives range from the non-acceptance of various races, homosexuality, and religion. Students will only whisper the word "atheist," because they believe it is so bad. One student expressed that "if the coins in the U.S. say 'in God we trust,' how come we can't kick out the homosexuals?" How can this teacher help prepare her students for the big world outside of this tiny town?
Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!)
I work in a town like the one you described. Very conservative. Very un-accepting. One thing I have tried to appeal to my students is debate. My students love to argue- about anything! So, during different points of the year, I have given them topics from legalizing marijuana to the importance of workers unions- they have even recently debated Germany's acceptance of Syrian refugees. The students are assigned an opinion to defend and they must do so with facts and research. Being forced to look at the other sign of the coin, to research an opinion that may very well differ from their own, has been outstanding in giving students the ability to look past their own opinion or prejudice. Many students, after doing research on their own opinion, have changed realized they did not understand their own beliefs.
The other thing I have done that is much more difficult is going international. My school is lucky enough to have a German/American exchange program in which the students live with a German family for three weeks. During this time students are exposed to opinions, cultures and habits very different from their own and they usually come back much more tolerant. I know it isn't an option for all schools but I really believe the exposure to other beliefs is important. |
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Rating
| The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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| Comments: I think that an exchange program is an excellent idea! I grew up in a small, rural town in Georgia, and we had an America/Scottish exchange program. It was such an amazing experience for everyone involved. |
| Rated On: October 17, 2015 8:45 pm |
| Rated By: duryvy |
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Rating
| The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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| Comments: This was an effective solution. |
| Rated On: October 19, 2015 3:00 am |
| Rated By: aqaWuR |
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Rating
| The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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Comments: This is a GREAT idea. It's tough and uncomfortable to really consider "the other side" in many of these areas, but it's an important part of growth. I love the idea of assigning debates and requiring the students to perform research to back up their side. It could be interesting to present case studies and have the students come up with solutions (much like this site) as well.
Going international is a fabulous idea, and I think it's especially important for small communities. Many people in those communities have never left the town or the state, let alone considered things outside of the country. Even if an exchange program is not available, you could find a "sister class" and Skype as a class or have pen pals. |
| Rated On: March 6, 2016 6:10 pm |
| Rated By: teVaGu |
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Rating
| The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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| Comments: This is the best solution because the teacher is talking about current events. Also the teacher is taking advantage of the Exchange International Program that the student has. There is no better way to learn about a culture than by talking to people who grew up in a different country. |
| Rated On: October 15, 2016 7:59 pm |
| Rated By: Maritza |
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Rating
| The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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| Comments: This is a great solution to this case and is very useful. |
| Rated On: October 16, 2016 8:07 pm |
| Rated By: zevuBa |
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Rating
| The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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| Comments: If I were in this situation, I would exactly do this |
| Rated On: October 16, 2016 8:10 pm |
| Rated By: yTutar |
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Rating
| The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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| Comments: This is a great solution for the students to become more open minded by having to debate opposite sides. |
| Rated On: October 19, 2016 12:03 am |
| Rated By: Elisa Perez |
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Rating
| The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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| Comments: Excellent suggestion |
| Rated On: March 6, 2017 2:35 am |
| Rated By: uhuQyM |
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Rating
| The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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| Comments: Good |
| Rated On: October 3, 2017 5:52 pm |
| Rated By: NuXepy |
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Rating
| The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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| Comments: I would definitely do the first suggestion, and wow, an international program would be an incredible experience for high school students. |
| Rated On: March 15, 2018 1:21 pm |
| Rated By: aJaTyb |
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Rating
| The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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| Comments: I like the idea of the international exchange program. Small minded students need to learn that there is a whole world outside their conservative surroundings |
| Rated On: October 10, 2018 11:02 pm |
| Rated By: WyVeTu |
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Rating
| The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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| Comments: I love this solution. Debate is a powerful tool as much of the way our society is functioned is around beliefs and opinions. Because of this, it is important that students are exposed to opinions and beliefs that challenge their own. Some opinions may change, and others may be strengthened, but this will ensure that they have evidence to support their mindsets. |
| Rated On: October 13, 2018 6:28 pm |
| Rated By: aGuraz |
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Rating
| The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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Comments: If I were in this situation, I would exactly do this.
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| Rated On: December 4, 2018 1:49 am |
| Rated By: yzysuZ |
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Rating
| The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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| Comments: This is a great solution and gives appropriate suggestions. Debating allows students to think outside the box and about their own personal lives. |
| Rated On: July 7, 2019 3:50 pm |
| Rated By: yJyLep |
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Rating
| The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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| Comments: This is an interesting and creative idea, it is relatively easy to implement and allows the students to get insight on the sides they wouldn’t normally consider. |
| Rated On: October 19, 2019 10:08 pm |
| Rated By: maVeqy |
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