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  Case: Friday Prayer
Mohammad joined my fifth grade classroom in mid-September. It has been about five months since he arrived, and he has been doing a great job on all subjects. He does not cause any discipline problems. He and his family are Muslims. My only problem with Mohammad comes every Friday. The 5th grade team at my school does weekly testing on Fridays to monitor student progress in Reading and Math. Therefore, we need all the students at school on Friday. Mohammad's father wants to take him to Friday prayer every week. I did some research and found out that the Friday prayer is a special prayer in the Muslim world. I want to respect their religion, but because of the Friday prayer, Mohammad has been missing the weekly tests. I talked to my colleagues to entertain the idea of changing the time of the test, but it does not seem possible because of the special area courses and other obligations we have on Fridays. So, my only other option is to ask Mohammad's father. I do not know how to go about this? Should I ask him? What if he says his son must go to the Friday prayer every week? What do I do then?
Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!)
I would first have a conference with Mohammad's father about the situation of his son missing the weekly exams. If his father states that their family has to attend the Friday prayers. I would then ask could I meet with Mohammad after school on either Thursday or Friday because I am concerned about him failing my class. If none of these ideas solve the situation I would then allow Mohammad to take his tests on Thursday sometime during class. I would want to respect their belief while making sure Mohammad is learning.
 
     
     
  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 20, 2013 2:36 pm
Rated By: Ashley Dellane