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  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!)
Speaking about racial issues is very complicated, especially in a school setting. If students are not educated about certain race issues at home then its even harder to educated them about it in school, however it is the teacher's duty to do so. In this case, the teacher instead of giving small lectures, she should let the students research the topic at home and bring in articles that interest them about this period. By doing this, the students are not hearing the teacher talking about it, but rather they are learning about it on their own, and sharing it with the rest of the group.
 
     
     
  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:
Rated On: February 11, 2013 12:05 am
Rated By: Sara Jernigan
 
     
     
  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:
Rated On: February 11, 2013 1:39 pm
Rated By: Shana Johnson
 
     
     
  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:
Rated On: April 18, 2013 8:02 pm
Rated By: Ashley Dellane
 
     
     
  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:
Rated On: October 4, 2014 7:21 pm
Rated By: ePeHyM
 
     
     
  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 great way to get students actively involved in learning about this sensitive subject.
Rated On: October 14, 2014 8:06 pm
Rated By: Megan Lee
 
     
     
  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. Letting the students research the topic on their own will make them more appreciative.
Rated On: October 21, 2014 10:26 pm
Rated By: yVuLyR
 
     
     
  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, 2015 6:09 pm
Rated By: aSaByN
 
     
     
  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 idea! individual research seems like a great opportunity for learning.
Rated On: March 1, 2015 6:04 am
Rated By: apazeR
 
     
     
  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 students doing their own research is a great idea! This may help with students getting offended. I would use this in my classroom.
Rated On: July 1, 2015 10:26 pm
Rated By: TaPeBu
 
     
     
  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 like the idea of letting the students do research on a topic. Hear information in a lecture is one thing which clearly upset the students however, when they have to research the information and make discoveries on their own they will understand the severity of racial issues.
Rated On: October 2, 2015 4:41 pm
Rated By: neraXe
 
     
     
  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 allowing students to do their own research is an excellent opportunity for students to learn about this sensitive topic.
Rated On: October 14, 2015 1:37 am
Rated By: punybu
 
     
     
  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 didn't think about that as being an option, actually. Student's are allowed to disagree with the curriculum, aren't they? But making sure they know the point as to why it is taught is also very important. Having them research at home seems safe and helps avoid further disruptions in class. But what about the students who still want the lecture? What to do with the students in the class who don't?
Rated On: October 17, 2015 6:30 am
Rated By: nydyra
 
     
     
  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: .
Rated On: October 17, 2015 12:47 pm
Rated By: RuZyGy
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) No
The suggested solution is relevant to the case No
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement No
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue No
The suggested solution is original No
Comments: I would not handle this situation this way.
Rated On: March 2, 2016 4:12 am
Rated By: uBybuz
 
     
     
  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 letting the students do their own research will be more effective. Allowing them to teach their peers for a difference.
Rated On: October 17, 2016 3:45 am
Rated By: Raven B
 
     
     
  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 is very useful!
Rated On: October 19, 2016 1:16 am
Rated By: Elisa Perez
 
     
     
  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 solution. I would also tell your students that it's a good thing that it makes them angry. Explain to them that we can learn from history and try to change what we feel may be an injustice.
Rated On: March 6, 2017 3:19 am
Rated By: jyvubu
 
     
     
  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 solution
Rated On: October 9, 2017 2:56 am
Rated By: uhuQyM
 
     
     
  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 idea!
Rated On: October 13, 2017 2:20 am
Rated By: Lavede
 
     
     
  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: Wonderful suggestion! Giving students the opportunity to discover these difficult lessons for themselves, I think, is the best way to go about this lesson.
Rated On: October 15, 2017 9:12 pm
Rated By: eHuPas
 
     
     
  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 solution
Rated On: February 25, 2018 11:09 pm
Rated By: uXysej
 
     
     
  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.
Rated On: February 26, 2018 12:08 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 like the idea of letting the students research and chose articles that interest them.
Rated On: October 8, 2018 2:43 pm
Rated By: uQuJyh
 
     
     
  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 6:25 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 agree
Rated On: October 27, 2018 7:19 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: This is a helpful solution. It allows each student to research and create their own opinion. Having a small discussion in class is a good idea as well. Creating guidelines to the discussion is very important so that it doesn't get out of hand.
Rated On: February 24, 2019 8:53 pm
Rated By: Keith Evans
 
     
     
  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 could be a great way for students to learn the topic but without getting offended.
Rated On: October 14, 2019 8:57 pm
Rated By: aHaQaj
 
     
     
  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 good solution because having the students look up the information ensures that they don’t connect the sensitive topics with the teacher and associate teacher with the negativity that is involved.
Rated On: October 19, 2019 2:30 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: I really like the idea of having students research their own topic when it comes to sensitive issues like this one.
Rated On: February 21, 2020 6:35 pm
Rated By: vaMuvy
 
     
     
  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 provides a good work around to the issue.
Rated On: October 31, 2021 8:16 am
Rated By: aPeQyG
 
     
     
  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 doing at-home research assignments or projects will help the students become more educated, it also might be beneficial to share their information with the class that way they can also listen and learn from their peers.
Rated On: October 31, 2021 2:44 pm
Rated By: Pearl Reberkenny