| |
|
|
| |
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 it is very important to give students certain behavioral expectations when going into a lesson like this. I also think that it is important to address both races in the most positive way possible. When I teach units like this, I try and point out that African Americans did not fight this fight alone. When I show the "I have Dream" speech footage, my students are always so surprised to see white people in the audience. It is a good teachable moment, and I am always sure to point out that when a race, culture or gender is oppressed, it is not one races problem, it is everyone's problem and everyone's fight. I also always point out that every male in the room had the right to vote before any female regardless of their race. It just was not easy for African American males to exercise that right. The main point for students to grasp is that oppression is not a one sided issue committed by only one race. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Rating
| The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
|
| The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
|
| The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
|
| The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
No
|
| The suggested solution is original |
Yes
|
| Comments: I thought your solution was very original. As a student myself, I never had a teacher point out the many different races who were present during Martin Luther King's speech. Teaching it the way you stated would have students learn more than what is in the textbook. They would relate to their classmates instead of exiting the classroom with the resentments of their ancestors. |
| Rated On: October 13, 2014 6:06 pm |
| Rated By: ySaryN |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Rating
| The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
|
| The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
|
| The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
|
| The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
|
| The suggested solution is original |
Yes
|
| Comments: i agree, it's important for them to know it's not a one side issue. |
| Rated On: October 17, 2014 3:32 pm |
| Rated By: Angela Avery |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
