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!) Maybe you should change your approach to the way the lessons are taught. If they are lectures the students may look at it like this is what you are telling them and this is your opinion of the account of what happened. Instead, try to find videos that show examples of what occurred (with parental consent of course) and then allow students to have a discussions and ask them how do they think some of the people felt during this time, etc. Get their reactions and this way they are learning but at the same time they are not being told this is what happened. By viewing it they can get a sense of "this is what really happened and its apart of history".