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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!)
AS part of my fifth grade social studies curriculum, I too cover this issue when discussing the Civil War. Before we begin the unit we discuss that we all have different opionions, thoughts, and feelings, and although we may disagree to agree at times, we must always be respectful. I also make sure that my students understand that they can share their feelings and thoughts at any time during my class, however they must be open-minded and respectful when doing so. I also make it a major point for my students to understand that the terms "black" and "white" are colors and the appropriate terms to use when describing these two groups of people are African American or Caucasian. In my classroom we refer to ourselves as a family, and although we may look different we are the same in many ways.
 
     
     
  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:
Rated On: February 11, 2013 12:01 am
Rated By: Sara Jernigan
 
     
     
  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: Well said! It is obvious that your classroom has been designed to deal with sensitive topics in History, such as slavery and racism. It is very important that we set up boundaries and teach our students clear expectations that will govern all classroom discussions. Also, the community and family environment you are fostering in your classroom will certainly put history in its rightful context - to be studied and learned from, and not to be used as a weapon for revenge. Furthermore, good job on teaching your students to use correct terminologies; this would certainly prevent discussions from turning into a black or white issue. Well done!
Rated On: October 4, 2013 4:01 pm
Rated By: Tracy C
 
     
     
  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 like your approach on making sure everyone is respectful to one another.
Rated On: October 17, 2014 4:27 pm
Rated By: Angela Avery
 
     
     
  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 with this solution because it keeps with the "family" environment in the classroom.
Rated On: February 25, 2015 7:40 pm
Rated By: aNaQev
 
     
     
  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 with this solution, discussing we look different but we are the same in many ways I believe will help out. Understanding that these were different times and people didn't understand other people that were different. I would use this in my classroom.
Rated On: July 1, 2015 10:28 pm
Rated By: TaPeBu
 
     
     
  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: .
Rated On: October 17, 2015 12:58 pm
Rated By: RuZyGy
 
     
     
  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: Great post! Identifying the class as a family is a great way to encourage unity.
Rated On: March 2, 2017 3:41 pm
Rated By: dyMaDe
 
     
     
  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: Being open-minded and respectful are very important lessons to teach students regarding race.
Rated On: October 8, 2018 2:43 pm
Rated By: uQuJyh
 
     
     
  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 think this is a great solution. They're allowing the class to have opinions but also being open-minded so that you aren't offending anyone.
Rated On: October 14, 2019 8:59 pm
Rated By: aHaQaj
 
     
     
  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 with this solution because awareness of culture and opinion is an important aspect of education.
Rated On: October 21, 2019 12:15 am
Rated By: LyWuLy
 
     
     
  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: Race is a very hard subject to mention in schools I think due to the fact that some may not have the same background knowledge as others
Rated On: February 24, 2020 2:10 am
Rated By: yHuDav
 
     
     
  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: This is another good solution to the issue at hand.
Rated On: October 31, 2021 8:16 am
Rated By: aPeQyG