TeacherServer.com
Home | How It Works | Stats
Login | Register
     
  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 think you are doing exactly what they are all asking us to do as teachers: promote a diverse education to our students. In your book area, you want books that are about your children. If you have a blended family, there should be books about blended families. If there are gay parents, there needs to be books about families with gay parents. I think you're doing exactly what you should be doing. I would explain to the parents that reading them a book with parents that are gay is not going to turn them gay or teach them to be gay any more than the Big Green Monster book is going to teach them how to be a monster. I would just talk to them and explain your reasoning behind having the books, not to mention, you could also show research and statistics.. that usually helps!
 
     
     
  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 this solution 100%. I think that you should stand your ground.
Rated On: October 19, 2014 3:38 pm
Rated By: uJasuX
 
     
     
  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: great
Rated On: November 3, 2015 8:30 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: Good points!
Rated On: March 5, 2017 11:30 pm
Rated By: atugym
 
     
     
  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 acknowledges the importance of including diversity in the classroom, and also of helping concerned parents understand the importance.
Rated On: February 25, 2018 6:59 pm
Rated By: eguPud
 
     
     
  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 seems like an effective solution since it directly addresses the problem in a positive way.
Rated On: October 13, 2018 6:24 pm
Rated By: byRyLe
 
     
     
  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 think this solution hit the nail on the head. This is what they are asking us to do as teachers. It is 2022 now. It is important to educate students on the diverse world we live in. You can do this without trying to influence them.
Rated On: September 30, 2022 1:00 pm
Rated By: gapuse
 
     
     
  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