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  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 feel that it is highly important to respect students' religious beliefs. It would be disrespectful to force her to work in a group with males when she has already stated that it is against her religion. This situation would make me want to do research on her religion and attempt to figure out the reasons behind her beliefs; it would give me insight and some understanding because it is not something I am familiar with. I would also consider if the roles were reversed. How would I feel if someone (an authority figure) was making me do something that was against my religious beliefs; I would feel disrespected because my religion was put down. If this were my classroom I would make the small groups gender specific. The students can still learn how to cooperate with others even when they are in a group with the same gender. I would also make it known that there will come when they must work and cooperate with people who are not of the same gender and they need to be open to that. Basically I would make it this way for my class but discuss with them that it will not always be that way. This would allow Aisha to ponder the thought and be made aware that she may have to work with others one day.