Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Case: I Wish I Were Black! As a teacher of 5th grade students, I try to make sure that my students have a good sense of all the people and cultures that make up this country. Last couple weeks, I paid special attention to the African American people who have made significant contributions to the US. We read a book written by Walter Dean Myers. We have studied scientists, writers, and political figures. Students were very engaged and interested in the content. Yesterday something happened that puzzled me. Three of my White students told me that they wished they were Black. This was not my intention when I planned all my lessons on contributions of African Americans. How should I address this issue? Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!) I think it's great that you're making it a priority to make your students culturally aware and culturally educated. I think the fact that students told you they wished they were black means you're doing something right- they are seeing value in other cultures, which should be a key part of the curriculum. However, they are obviously missing part of the point if they believe that another culture is better than their own. I would take this opportunity to have a conversation with your students where you discuss how all cultures are EQUALLY beautiful and valuable, and they shouldn't discredit their own because they see value in another. Maybe have a lesson where students list characteristics and contributions to society of their culture as well as a few other cultures to see that each culture has something beneficial to contribute to the world.