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!) I support your decision on wanting to give the students in your classroom an open mind. Although, I wouldn't exactly put it completely out there right away with a book. I think you should have gradually brought the topic up and see how others would react. Co-workers are not always going to believe in your methods and vice versa. The parents would be my main concern. A topic like this can be back fired and confuse the young students. A way for this topic to be taken positive would be running it by the school board and see how they react. It may not play out well for you this year but theres always next year and the year after.                 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 No The suggested solution is original Yes Comments: Talking to other teachers is a possible solution but i do not think it will completely fix the problem. Other methods might be needed. Rated On: October 17, 2014 12:36 am Rated By: PezaLe                 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: great Rated On: November 3, 2015 8:30 pm Rated By: yDyjuB