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  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 you should maybe steer away from the lectures and small group work and let your students do some investigating on their own. Have them research how some white people during these times actually helped African Americans. You could talk about the white abolitionists during the Civil War. Have students do research and identify different ways white people actually contributed to the civil rights era.
 
     
     
  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: Making the students do their own research might help them see all the different sides to the history, and will help in relating all the students to what happened and how it was stopped. This will make each group feel good about their race rather than just handing it out to them.
Rated On: September 26, 2015 2:05 pm
Rated By: yWasyD