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!) I think that this topic is very important to teach students. If I were teaching this topic and I had students act very offended and upset, I would take the time to find other pieces of history that represent other races were put themselves in similar situations. I think this would allow students to see that it has not only been one race who have been mean and controlling to another race. I would also make sure to really express both sides of the story. Who were the people fighting against slavery? Who were the people willing to put it all on the time to stop slavery? When approaching a topic like this, teachers should have various angles and viewpoints ready to go from the start to help prevent students from getting to the point of hurt feelings. I think sometimes as teachers we are too focused on getting the facts in a timely manner that we lose some really good learning opportunities along the way!