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!) It is refreshing to see diversity taught in the classroom through these types of units. I think your students probably made that comment because of the excitement they felt from learning all of the new things. There is also a level of pride associated with making history. I would dig deeper and have a discussion with the students and ask them to explain why they wished they were Black. During the discussion, I would also bring up accomplishments and names of people from other nationalities who have made contributions to our country. Show students that people of all races helped make America into what it is today. You could even include accomplishments from White Americans so the students could feel a sense of pride in their own heritage as well.