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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!)
I think next time you use these numbers and statistics in math class you should send the note home before teaching, and explain how multicultural education is beneficial to all students. That way, the students whose parents disagree do not have to participate. Really, most parents will be more accepting of the content if the note is sent home beforehand. I do not think you should stop using this valuable information just because some parents do not agree. I do not think you should remove the content because it is simply statistics! This is real life information you are providing to your students and I do not think it is harmful in any way. |
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Rating
| The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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| Comments: I completely agree with your solution. Parents really just want to know things so telling them ahead of time I think would smooth the situation out. If after that they don't want them to participate then they don't. I also don't think the teacher should stop using this valuable information. Students should be exposed to this type of learning so they can make real world connections! |
| Rated On: June 13, 2014 12:52 am |
| Rated By: Haley Moore |
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Rating
| The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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| Comments: Great post! |
| Rated On: July 10, 2015 2:30 am |
| Rated By: RaMevy |
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