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  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!)
I think that the teacher needs to first think about whether Aisha can meet the expectations of the assignment in a group of females. If so, I feel that the teacher should reconsider his/her original position on this issue. I feel that respect is very important when teaching migrant students However, I think the educator should involve the parents and make them aware that in the future this could possibly interfere with meeting goals in assignments in school or even in the work place. For this particular assignment it may not matter how the groups are arranged. If this is the case the educator should put his/her feelings aside and help Aisha succeed at this assignment.