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!) Due to the fact that Aisha's stance is due to religious beliefs and not simply stubbornness, her wishes should be granted. People come to America for this very purpose, to believe and worship who they want to without fear of persecution. Requiring Aisha to do something that would go against her religious beliefs would be a huge disservice to her and go against the foundations of this country. To accommodate her beliefs, she should be grouped with females. Maybe further into the school year she will feel differently and possibly open up to more opportunities.