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!) That's tough. Living in the United States, Aisha will most likely have to work cooperatively with males on a somewhat regular basis and will need to develop some skills to be able to do so. It is also likely that future teachers will require her to be in groups with mixed gender. However, I think it is also important to get to know more about her religious beliefs and why her religion discourages working with males in this fashion. It's important that she feel that her beliefs are respected and that they matter to you as a teacher in order to let her know that what's important to her is also important to you since you care about her success. She obviously values her religion strongly. Since religion is accommodated for in other students regarding their excuse from school on holidays and no Jewish student would be forced to eat something that isn't Kosher, forcing her to work in the male/female groups may send a strong message that her religion is not important enough to accommodate. Honestly, I might consider approaching her parents for some insight regarding what to do. The counselor may also be able to offer some advice. In the meantime, I'd place her in an all-girls group so she can be successful until you reach a solution.