| |
|
|
| |
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 the young man in 7th grade is expressing a valid point. If you teach social studies and haven't noticed that the textbooks tend to demonize white people (and more specifically old white men); I invite you to reread the sections on Pilgrims, the Indian wars, the Trail of Tears, the Civil War and the civil right movement, etc. I have had the exact same reaction from high school seniors in my math class. I approach the subject from a social norm perspective, ie the ancient Jews were slaves to the Egyptians and society (wrongly) accepted slavery as normal. England and the United States were the first nations in the history of the world to ban slavery. Point in fact to the NEW Eqyptian constitution which does NOT ban slavery.
If you don't remove the class warfare from the classroom, it will only be reinforced in the students. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
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 that the student is expressing a valid point. |
| 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 |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
