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Case: The N-Word
My name is Kristin. I have taught high school English for nine years in a rural school. Recently, my husband and I had to move to a much larger city because of a promotion my husband received. I found a job as an English teacher at a high school that serves mostly African American and Hispanic students. My new students are nice and respectful. However, there is one issue that has been bothering me. I have been seeing my students talking to each other using the "n word." They are not bothered by this, but even in class discussions, if they are responding to one another, sometimes they use the "n word." In my previous school, we were very strict about these types of slurs. I am at loss now. Is this part of the school culture? Should I explain to my students why they should not use that word? Should I make a rule about it? I do not know how to deal with this.
Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!)
As a teacher, I think that it is your role to make sure that students are educated about things both inside the classroom and out. I think a great way to make students think about the language that they use and explain to them why you are making a rule against the N word would be to teach a lesson on it. Show the origins of the word and teach the students what the word actually means. Then, tell the students that because of the terrible history behind it, that word will not be used in your classroom-slang or not. |
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Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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Comments: |
Rated On: February 18, 2013 12:55 pm |
Rated By: Katy Willoughby |
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The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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Comments: I thought teaching the origins of the n word is an original solution. Instead of giving the students another rule to follow without an explanation, teach them a lesson. I'm sure they will connect with the history books better than adults giving them regulations. |
Rated On: October 15, 2014 12:13 am |
Rated By: ySaryN |
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The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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Comments: I think this solution is helpful, let them know that many slang terms other than this word are simply not classroom appropriate. |
Rated On: October 19, 2014 6:51 pm |
Rated By: adenar |
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The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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Comments: I think adding history to the slang word is a great idea. |
Rated On: February 20, 2015 5:13 am |
Rated By: ehaZeb |
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The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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Comments: I found this to be very enlightening. This solution teaches the students background information they may have not known previously so they have an understanding of why you are making a rule against the word and I would do that in this situation. |
Rated On: February 25, 2015 4:43 am |
Rated By: uVataS |
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The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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Comments: Great idea! |
Rated On: February 25, 2015 3:42 pm |
Rated By: Sydbug |
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The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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Comments: Teaching history is a great teachable moment. |
Rated On: February 25, 2015 7:49 pm |
Rated By: Jen |
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The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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Comments: Teach your students that the N word can be offensive! |
Rated On: February 25, 2015 8:02 pm |
Rated By: Autumn Carroll |
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The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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Comments: Great solution. Definitely establish a no tolerance rule for this word. |
Rated On: March 1, 2015 6:06 am |
Rated By: apazeR |
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The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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Comments: Absolutely agreed, many times students are just ignorant of the past of some words and should be educated. |
Rated On: March 2, 2015 1:31 am |
Rated By: Qebysu |
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The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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Comments: I would do the seam thing |
Rated On: October 16, 2015 4:23 pm |
Rated By: buHeNy |
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The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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Comments: This is a great solution. |
Rated On: October 16, 2015 4:42 pm |
Rated By: uqeMeg |
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The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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Comments: I would do exactly this. |
Rated On: October 27, 2015 2:31 am |
Rated By: yheGaQ |
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The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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Comments: explaining it is not tolerated is important. Thank you that's a great idea. |
Rated On: March 6, 2016 5:54 pm |
Rated By: yNesuL |
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The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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Comments: This is a great solution to this case and is very useful. |
Rated On: October 16, 2016 8:46 pm |
Rated By: zevuBa |
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The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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Comments: I agree the best solution is to just enforce your rules, and not allow the word in your classroom. |
Rated On: October 17, 2016 2:00 am |
Rated By: Raven B |
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The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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Comments: I agree, this is a great solution! |
Rated On: October 19, 2016 1:45 am |
Rated By: Elisa Perez |
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The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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Comments: By allowing ignorance, you are promoting it. A history lesson might help to bring understanding. |
Rated On: February 26, 2017 4:30 am |
Rated By: etyWys |
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The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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Comments: I completely agree, educating them about the word and it's use might stop the students from saying it casually. |
Rated On: March 5, 2017 8:39 pm |
Rated By: avenyB |
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The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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Comments: I agree that the kids should be taught about the origin of the word. |
Rated On: March 6, 2017 2:58 am |
Rated By: Hasena Kurtić |
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The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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Comments: good solution. |
Rated On: July 19, 2017 6:38 pm |
Rated By: Savannah Lynn |
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The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
No
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The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
No
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The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
No
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The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
No
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The suggested solution is original |
No
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Comments: I can understand where you would want to suggest to them that they shouldn't use the "N word", but it seems as if it's part of their regional culture. I think it's more of their way of saying friend, brotha... obviously they are not offended by the word, so to them they are not using it in a derogatory manner whether you like the word or not. I think you would continue to spin your wheels with trying to change it. |
Rated On: October 16, 2017 2:25 am |
Rated By: TyNeby |
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The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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Comments: I agree! |
Rated On: February 21, 2018 6:24 pm |
Rated By: uJyGep |
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The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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Comments: If I were in this situation, I would exactly do this |
Rated On: February 26, 2018 12:30 am |
Rated By: DuTepy |
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The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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Comments: |
Rated On: October 9, 2018 1:10 am |
Rated By: pagyDa |
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The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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Comments: This is a good solution, as students most likely to not understand the history and implications of such language, and a quick lesson may show them why it is not okay to use, even in a joking manner. |
Rated On: October 13, 2018 6:54 pm |
Rated By: aGuraz |
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The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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Comments: i agree |
Rated On: October 27, 2018 2:51 pm |
Rated By: Carla Crumb |
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The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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Comments: Giving the history of why it is offensive is a great idea |
Rated On: February 25, 2019 2:33 am |
Rated By: eNesuS |
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The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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Comments: This is a good way to go about it. It is a slur, after all, and we should not be using slurs in a professional setting, nevermind a classroom. |
Rated On: July 7, 2019 11:00 pm |
Rated By: sygaru |
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The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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Comments: I agree with this solution |
Rated On: October 21, 2019 2:55 am |
Rated By: ZySaje |
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The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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Comments: |
Rated On: February 24, 2020 3:42 am |
Rated By: amajuj |
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The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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Comments: Educating them on the history would be very helpful. |
Rated On: October 19, 2020 3:04 am |
Rated By: peXehu |
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The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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Comments: I think this is good because you dont know if it offends someone, even if they dont say anything or used in a different setting. |
Rated On: November 1, 2021 12:55 am |
Rated By: yhedyZ |
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The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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Comments: This is a helpful solution I will use in my future. |
Rated On: November 25, 2022 2:06 pm |
Rated By: segeRa |
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The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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Comments: I would personally do this in my classroom. Teach the origin of the word, why we don't want to use it, and then make it a rule. This will at least reduce the times they use the word. |
Rated On: March 30, 2023 1:37 am |
Rated By: XereRa |
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