Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Case: Why Should I Listen? As part of my 7th grade Social Studies curriculum, I have to talk about slavery, the civil rights movement, etc. The topic ultimately leads to a discussion of how Whites oppressed Blacks. I try to present these topics in a way that does not suggest any guilt. This year, one of my students had a very bad reaction. When we were talking about the civil rights, John, one of my well-behaved but opinionated students, got up and said that he did not want to listen to this lesson anymore, because all we did was to demonize the White people. Three other students openly agreed with him saying that these topics made them angry. I have to cover these topics because they are a part of my curriculum. Also, I believe in the importance teaching children about these inequalities. However, it seems like the way I teach, which is mainly based on lectures and small group work, is making my White students uncomfortable. What should I do to make sure that my White students do not feel offended by these topics? Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!) Middle school seems to be an emotional time for students and they may be prone to overreaction. Clearly, you need to teach the curriculum, not just because it is a part of your standards, but also because it is a part of our nations' past and has shaped events in our country. You do not necessarily need to change your delivery, but maybe try to incorporate more context with your history. Historically, minority and majority populations have had conflict for various reasons, so this is nothing new. However, as the beliefs in our society and across the world began to change, so did our laws and institutions. We can reflect on the reactions against those changes, but also reflect on the attempts to make those changes happen. It could also be a part of the broader context of the global shift in the idea of humanity and equality.