Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Case: Problematic Book Collection I got in trouble because of the books I have in my 2nd grade classroom library. I have been an elementary school teacher for 10 years. Recently, I completed my master's degree in education. In the master's program, I learned about the importance of teaching children about different people, different cultures, and different perspectives. Although I am not a big fan of gays and lesbians, I learned to accept them as another group of people in the society that need recognition as anyone else does. So, I decided to include in my classroom library books that included families with two moms or two dads. I have had books with single-parent families, interracial families, families with a mother and a father. So, I thought by including books depicting gay and lesbian families, I was being more inclusive and representing all family types in the society. I believe children should learn that there are families out there that are not like the families they have been seeing and children should learn to respect such families. However, I learned recently that not everyone agrees with me. I have been criticized openly by some of my colleagues. More recently, some parents sent angry letters to me and to the school principal describing their displeasure with my book collection. More specifically, they think I am trying to teach their children to become gays and lesbians. How am I going to handle all these pressures? What would you do? Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!) Censorship is something I too have been taught about in my master program for Elementary Education, and my views on it align much with yours, even knowing there are some topics I'm certainly not too familiar with or comfortable with. With the "minority" population growing and predicted to surpass today's majority, not including a broad and inclusive cultural literature selection is an injustice to our students. Nonetheless, in dealing with pressures from administration and class parents, perhaps sending home a book list at the beginning of the year, outlining the types of cultures to be featured in your classroom library, would allow parents to have the knowledge and option to voice their hesitations/concerns prior to it becoming an issue. If concern is raised, note by which students' parents, and omit those topics from read aloud/whole group type instruction.                 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 Yes The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes The suggested solution is original Yes Comments: I like how you brought censorship into the conversation Rated On: March 2, 2016 10:31 pm Rated By: daPaJa                 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 Yes The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes The suggested solution is original Yes Comments: In my opinion, I find this to be a very effective solution idea because it does not single handedly target the LGBQT community. Instead, it is simply sending out what is on the shelves in your classroom. In addition, maybe add a line where a parent could make a suggestion for a book that would be a great addition to the classroom for the teacher to take into consideration of adding. Also, possibly take the list to be approved by administration for more security of your library. Rated On: July 5, 2016 2:53 am Rated By: aWyVys                 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 Yes The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes The suggested solution is original Yes Comments: If I were in this situation, I would exactly do this. Rated On: April 3, 2023 3:47 am Rated By: uPanaS