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 see both sides of the situation. On one hand, she is going to have to adjust now that she is in America. However, on the other hand just throwing her in a group with all boys would be insensitive. I would suggest a compromise. I would pull Aisha aside and explain to her why you feel it is important for her to be challenged and pushed outside of her comfort zone. Tell her all of the things she could learn as a result of trying new experiences, and that new experiences help us grow and become better individuals. I would then tell Aisha that in the beginning, there will be only one male member in her group. Next, let Aisha pick the male student she wished to work with. As time goes on, you could add more boys to the mix to allow her to become comfortable with everyone in the class.