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!) This is a sensitive issue to discuss with students and it is extremely important to take into consideration how the material is presented to the class. I think that, though it may be hard for some students to hear about the negatives of slavery, it is an important issue that must be discussed. To me, this is a time to teach students that we can learn from history and take away the lesson on how people should be treated, that we are all equal and it is important to remember to treat each other in such a way that shows we respect each other and that we are equals. I think for the student who felt it was demonizing to white people, it would be a time to learn that, though this may be hard to hear, it is something that took place. Slavery has many issues that are hard for both sides to hear and think about but it is apart of our history and we should think how the things we hear about in lessons make us feel and take that into consideration when we think about how we treat others and how we speak to people throughout life.                 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: How it is said is the most important way to get across a touchy subject. I completely agree with your opinion. Rated On: February 11, 2013 12:02 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: Rated On: March 2, 2013 11:49 pm Rated By: eruHeB                 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 topic, the truth is something that is hard to hear but it must be taught. Tell students that we need to learn about what happened in the past so we can learn from our country's mistakes and work on treating people right. Rated On: October 14, 2014 8:08 pm Rated By: Megan Lee                 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: presenting the material is key Rated On: February 23, 2020 7:17 pm Rated By: yHuDav