| |
|
|
| |
Case: Problematic Book Collection
I got in trouble because of the books I have in my 2nd grade classroom library. I have been an elementary school teacher for 10 years. Recently, I completed my master's degree in education. In the master's program, I learned about the importance of teaching children about different people, different cultures, and different perspectives. Although I am not a big fan of gays and lesbians, I learned to accept them as another group of people in the society that need recognition as anyone else does. So, I decided to include in my classroom library books that included families with two moms or two dads. I have had books with single-parent families, interracial families, families with a mother and a father. So, I thought by including books depicting gay and lesbian families, I was being more inclusive and representing all family types in the society. I believe children should learn that there are families out there that are not like the families they have been seeing and children should learn to respect such families. However, I learned recently that not everyone agrees with me. I have been criticized openly by some of my colleagues. More recently, some parents sent angry letters to me and to the school principal describing their displeasure with my book collection. More specifically, they think I am trying to teach their children to become gays and lesbians. How am I going to handle all these pressures? What would you do?
Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!)
I also support your decision to include these books. Parents and teachers alike need to ask themselves what would happen if you did have a student come to your school who had two mommies or daddies, if the student was bi-racial, or didn't have one or the other parent. The lack of exposure to these different types of family situations is what begins the cycle of bullying and picking on other kids who are different. I think as long as the book isn't directly discussing these different family styles and just includes pictures of different family types, they are harmless. You are not trying to influence these children to act one way or the other, but only showing them the multicultural world they live in. If you have a parent who opposes these books, have them create/fill out/sign a form saying their child is not allowed to read these books in your class and you can just make sure that student doesn't read them. I feel like the parents should have the right to choose, especially if they strongly disagree with your methods, but that you shouldn't back down from your stand on this issue either. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
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: The form idea is a good idea to make parents feel better and gives students who do want to read the book the freedom to do so. |
| Rated On: October 18, 2015 8:13 pm |
| Rated By: eMuHub |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
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: This solution perfectly identifies the importance of bringing this kind of material into the 2nd grade classroom and effectively deals with parents who may disagree. |
| Rated On: October 18, 2015 11:01 pm |
| Rated By: yJeXad |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
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 completely agree, showing diversity in your classroom is what you should aim for. Having story books like these are part of representing that diversity. |
| Rated On: November 3, 2015 8:28 pm |
| Rated By: yDyjuB |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
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 support it as well. |
| Rated On: February 28, 2016 2:33 am |
| Rated By: yDaTes |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
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 |
| Rated On: October 3, 2016 5:06 pm |
| Rated By: yVuRaR |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
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: This is a very detailed response. Relating to parents/colleagues that you are trying to give your students more perspective and also prepare them for the real world is honest and accurate. It's otherwise absurd to believe that the teacher is trying to turn students gay. |
| Rated On: March 6, 2017 5:36 pm |
| Rated By: jyHyHy |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
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: If I were in this situation, I would exactly do this |
| Rated On: February 26, 2018 12:14 am |
| Rated By: DuTepy |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
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 |
| Rated On: October 27, 2018 7:32 pm |
| Rated By: Carla Crumb |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
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: If I were in this situation, I would exactly do this. |
| Rated On: October 18, 2019 9:04 pm |
| Rated By: Lauren Toner |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
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, diversity & minority groups should be represented within the classroom and students need to be educated about different people & situations. |
| Rated On: October 19, 2019 12:02 am |
| Rated By: HuraHu |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
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 the solutions stance on this difficult situation. No matter what actions the teacher takes, there will be people that are left unsatisfied but, the society that we live in today has people from all walks of life and the students need to learn/accept that and starting young is a good way go. I really like the suggestion for the consent form. |
| Rated On: October 19, 2019 3:24 am |
| Rated By: maVeqy |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
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: If I were in this situation, I would exactly do this. |
| Rated On: April 3, 2023 3:47 am |
| Rated By: uPanaS |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
