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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!)
This can be a very controversial subject with parents. I think I would have discussed this with team members or even the principal before putting them in the classroom. Different schools and areas can have funny "rules" or ideas about such things. Ultimately, I would want my principal to have my back if controversy over such an issue arouse, instead of him or her being blindsided. Many parents will go straight to the principal before talking to the teacher and you want him or her on your side. |
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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: This is a great way of having the school on your side. I guess more helpful information would be does your principal agree with the books being in the classroom? |
Rated On: October 14, 2014 7:35 pm |
Rated By: ehaZeb |
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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: I agree with this solution. |
Rated On: February 25, 2015 7:53 pm |
Rated By: aNaQev |
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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: If I were in this situation, I would exactly do this. |
Rated On: February 26, 2015 6:21 pm |
Rated By: aSaByN |
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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: I don't agree that people should be so upset about the matter or that schools should have "funny" rules about it, but this solution takes great care in covering all of your bases as a teacher. |
Rated On: October 18, 2015 10:59 pm |
Rated By: yJeXad |
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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: Agreed! The problem is, is that although it is 2015, it is still a very sensitive subject. I believe and understand that those are topics that perhaps should be left up to the parents to teach. It is only 2nd grade. There are many books that speak of acceptance that can relate to a child's mind. Instead of confusing them with "why are there two moms in that picture, or two dads?" Let's present them with a book that has a purple pony, and all the other horses aren't accepting of him, and why he is still a horse, and we should accept him even if he's purple.
Back to the point, I agree that it is extremely important to have the principal on your side, or at least get his/her approval first before you present texts like that. |
Rated On: October 25, 2015 10:57 pm |
Rated By: uSezaV |
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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: As a teacher it is important to discuss and collaborate with your coteachers and principal. |
Rated On: November 3, 2015 8:27 pm |
Rated By: yDyjuB |
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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 |
No
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The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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Comments: This solution is a great idea, because this is a matter that a educator cannot take alone as it is controversial. However, I do not think there would be a solving factor to this issue of controversy even with the inclusion of administrative input. There is always going to be someone unhappy with something. |
Rated On: July 5, 2016 2:42 am |
Rated By: aWyVys |
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Rating
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 don't think you need permission from your principal to be inclusive. |
Rated On: October 3, 2016 5:06 pm |
Rated By: yVuRaR |
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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: I think this is a good solution, I would speak to the administration and see what are the best steps for this situation. I would try this solution. |
Rated On: October 16, 2016 7:04 pm |
Rated By: Brittany Doxsey |
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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: I think yes letting discussing it with the principal was good, so that your principal was already part of the conversation. |
Rated On: October 17, 2016 3:31 am |
Rated By: Raven B |
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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: This is a great tip. |
Rated On: October 19, 2016 1:22 am |
Rated By: Elisa Perez |
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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: I agree, going to the principle fist is a good idea! |
Rated On: March 6, 2017 3:01 am |
Rated By: avenyB |
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Rating
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 don't think there is anything wrong AT ALL with depicting LGBTQ individuals in varying positions and roles in society. Part of educating youth is to broaden their perspectives, and depicting same-sex parents as responsible, caring parents does not need approval from the school. |
Rated On: March 6, 2017 5:38 pm |
Rated By: jyHyHy |
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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: Great idea! |
Rated On: October 13, 2017 3:59 pm |
Rated By: Lavede |
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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: October 9, 2018 1:17 am |
Rated By: pagyDa |
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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: Parents are allowed to have a opinion on what their children read. Its apart of trust |
Rated On: February 24, 2020 2:11 am |
Rated By: yHuDav |
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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: Discussing it with team members is a great way to go about it. Like you said, it's important they have your back should something come up. |
Rated On: March 5, 2021 7:42 pm |
Rated By: yqeRas |
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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: I agree with it but it is beneficial for students to see other families other than what theirs might make up, exposing students to new relationships will be a good way to explore new things. |
Rated On: October 31, 2021 3:05 pm |
Rated By: Pearl Reberkenny |
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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: Yes this is something that keeps coming up, and it is definitely a school-to-school solution. |
Rated On: October 12, 2022 11:35 pm |
Rated By: VuBytu |
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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: If I were in this situation, I would exactly do this. |
Rated On: April 3, 2023 3:46 am |
Rated By: uPanaS |
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