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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!)
I would tell the students that we should never "wish" to be something else. When we wish things, which are impossible, we will never be as happy as we could possibly be. I would also tell them it is a good thing that they can put themselves in the shoes of someone else to see and understand their value and where they are coming from on certain issues. I would then probably do some sort of personal culture assignment where students can identify all of the positive aspects of their culture and perhaps develop a sense of pride for their culture. |
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Rating
| The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
No
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| The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
No
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| The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
No
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| The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
No
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| The suggested solution is original |
No
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| Comments: I would personally not tell my students that something is impossible I would simply try to understand their reason behind wanting to become another race. In doing so I would hope to reveal to them they are as equally capable of doing great things as anybody else. |
| Rated On: October 20, 2014 1:06 am |
| Rated By: Adam Sanchez |
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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 liked your remark about not wanting to be someone else and the value of "self". I also like the activity you suggested of how different groups of people in different race/ethnicity also contribute to the success of the United States. I think this will enable students to see the broader, big picture of things. |
| Rated On: June 3, 2015 12:25 am |
| Rated By: Tina Joiner |
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