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!) I agree with you and would not accomadate Aisha. I use group work regularly in my classroom for the same reasons you mentioned. I want students to learn to cooperateand learn with and from each other. I have not had the same type of problem but a similar situation in which someone's beliefs got in the way of them feeling as though they could work with certain people. However, as a social studies teacher I think this gives you the opportunity to use this teachable moment. As you said you are in the United States and here we are not separated by gender and are expected to work and cooperate with whoever we are assigned to work with in a real world job type setting. If I refused to collaborate with male teachers on lesson plans I would be told to leave. I would discuss this with Aisha in a one on one type setting and help her to understand that this is preparing her for her future. I would also remind her that not participating will hurt her grade. The only alternative I have given is to complete the assignment alone but no less work or extended time.                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) No 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 understand where you are coming from, but I would be a little more sensitive to her beliefs. Yes, it will definitely hurt her grade if she does not participate, but I wouldn't make her do something that is against her religion. You would want someone forcing their beliefs on you. I like where you are coming from, but I would be a little more respectful to Aisha's culture. Rated On: May 18, 2014 2:11 pm Rated By: Destiny Andrews                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) No 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 Yes Comments: Considering her religion is so important to her, and her family, she is most likely going to carry this over into her adult life and not participate in American culture the same way that everyone else does, the same way she is not participating in school. You can't assume that she is just going to have to work with boys all her life in and out of school. With the support of her friends and family, I doubt that she would ever unless she is forced to like in this situation. It is wrong. Rated On: October 16, 2015 7:15 pm Rated By: nydyra                 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: yes I agree with the solution. Rated On: October 14, 2016 7:40 pm Rated By: Husava