Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Case: Cannot Cooperate Aisha is known as a responsible and smart student. I have known her for the last two years, but this year is the first time she is taking one of my classes. She is in my 10th grade US History class. Recently, I started using small group projects in my class. I simply want my students to learn to cooperate, exchange ideas, and produce the project together. Although Aisha is willing to take part in these small group projects, she does not want to be in groups with male students because of her religious beliefs. When she told me about this, I told her that she was in the United States and that she had to work with whoever she is in a group with. In the first group project, Aisha was in a group with three males and one female students. She simply did not participate in any of the group activities. I wonder if should reconsider my original position on this issue and accommodate Aisha by having her work only with girls. Would I be doing her a disservice? What should I do? Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!) Religious beliefs can lie in the heart and soul of a culture. This is a value that is instilled into the student and I do not believe it is fair to ask her to go against her values. Although it is important to learn to collaborate with people from all backgrounds and understand the basis of other cultures I think this is something that can be compromised. This student can be placed in groups with majority females to increase her comfort and willingness to cooperate. Parents most definitely should be involved in this decision. A parent/teacher/student conference should be held to reach a compromise that all parties are happy with.