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!) Since she did not participate in the group with male students I would try and find out more about her religious beliefs. Preferably from the parents and Aisha herself to better understand the situation instead of a Google search. If it is a serious part of her religion, not just a way to get out of completing her work, then I would allow her to work in an all girl group. I would communicate with her about real world scenarios and how she will most likely be forced to work with men when she enters the work force. Then try to switch out one female with a male student and see if she will work in a mostly female dominant group. So as a recap I would be courteous about her religious beliefs but try to help her see how in the future it may be inevitable to work with males. Then see if she'd be open to gradually working with male students.