Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Case: Math and Social Justice! No No! Recently, I read a report in a national magazine on income levels of different groups of people in the US. The report especially featured income differences between males, females and different ethnic groups. Some of the statistics were very disturbing. For example, women holding the same job as men with same number of years in the job made considerably less money in most of the states. Differences between ethnic groups were even more disturbing. I decided to use these data in my math class with my 5th graders in a lesson on graphing. The purpose was for the students to be able to interpret graphs and create graphs using the information provided. Students enjoyed the lesson and learned some social justice lessons. Apparently a lot of my students talked to their parents about what they had learned in class when they went home. I received notes from about 10 parents the next day simply indicating that what I taught in my math class would lead to hatred among my students and that I should not be wasting their children's valuable time. Rather, they suggested, I should teach math with no controversial materials. I completely disagree with them and I plan to use similar materials in my other courses as well. However, my principals asked me to send an explanation to those parents. I know my explanation will not stop the complaints. How should I go about this potentially long battle? Or should I take the short cut simply remove such content from my lessons? Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!) Since the principal asked you to write the letter, i would request the principal either assist in the writing or at the very least, proof the letter before i send it out to parents. I believe in this situation the parents will only be incited by a letter that states anything other than their desired wish to have the material removed. As a result, if you wish to take a stand against removing it, you will need backup from the principal when "the wolves come knocking".... and trust me they will. If you feel strongly in the educational benefit of what you are doing and have your admins support then I would continue. If your admin will not help you or at least approve of your message then it may be wise to leave out the material.