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!) I have found that my intentions for a lesson and the outcome are rarely an exact match. In this situation I would use their comments as a start to a conversation about what they mean by "I wish I was black." It would be interesting for them to share their feelings as well as receive feedback from other students. Race is a touchy subject, but it shouldn't be shied away from. In fact, their comments may mean that they admire the people you had studied and want to be like them.                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement No The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue No The suggested solution is original No Comments: You are on the right track with this, however, there is no helpful solution or activity here that will remind students of their own strengths. Rated On: July 5, 2021 3:07 pm Rated By: sanuRa