Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Case: Cannot Cooperate Aisha is known as a responsible and smart student. I have known her for the last two years, but this year is the first time she is taking one of my classes. She is in my 10th grade US History class. Recently, I started using small group projects in my class. I simply want my students to learn to cooperate, exchange ideas, and produce the project together. Although Aisha is willing to take part in these small group projects, she does not want to be in groups with male students because of her religious beliefs. When she told me about this, I told her that she was in the United States and that she had to work with whoever she is in a group with. In the first group project, Aisha was in a group with three males and one female students. She simply did not participate in any of the group activities. I wonder if should reconsider my original position on this issue and accommodate Aisha by having her work only with girls. Would I be doing her a disservice? What should I do? Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!) I think that you should reconsider, and talk to Aisha about the importance of working with peers of both genders because this is really how it is in the real world. It is unrealistic to work with only females. However, I do believe you should accommodate for her because of her religious beliefs. Not only is this her religious belief but also something her parents have instilled in her I'm sure, since she feels so strongly about this. You should allow her to work in a group of girls while also explaining to her why it is important to work with peers of both genders. Also, by getting her parents involved you may be able to clear up any misconceptions and to be clear as to why.