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 would start by addressing Aisha directly and in privacy. I would attempt to obtain a general understanding of her culture and beliefs. I would also share my personal culture with her. My hope is to make the conversation personable so that she feels comfortable with sharing. I would explain to the student how I am not trying to impose my beliefs on her, but simply explain how we all have different cultures. I would allow the student to work in a group with all girls but also inform her how I want her to begin to work with mix groups. Starting off with just adding one boy into the group and over a period of time add more. I would contact her parents and notify them of the conversation between Aisha and I as well as the agreed upon plan of action.