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That is against the Bible

During independent reading time one of the students was reading the book Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda. A few of my students began to whisper and point. Later the students went up to the student that was reading the book and stated that God is going to put you in hell for reading those books and you are probably gay. They walked away and the student was very upset.

Posted on: 10/10/20 | Views: 583
Solution #1
Top Solution
I think you need to address to your students that everyone is different. That people have different beliefs, values, cultures etc. The idea of being inclusive and creating a classroom environment that is welcoming to all is so important in maintaining respectful and thoughtful students. No student should be bullied by what they are reading. That can be detrimental to a student down the line and might cause fear of choosing the next book he/she wants to read.
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Solution #2
I would go over with the students what you want the culture to be in your classroom. I would also go over the rules and expectations to let the students know that bullying is not tolerated and their is discipline for such behavior.

There should not be any defined culture in the classroom. Ensure to students that everyone has their own opinions and ensure that the lessons are not meant to go against their beliefs.

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Solution #3
Okay definitely NOT okay what the students did to begin with. To start, do not let students speak to one another that way. If this means sending a letter home, then that may help, but definitely jump in to explain that is not okay for classroom behavior. I think having a classroom discussion at that point may be of some benefit, explain that everyone is entitled to their opinions and going out of your way to be hurtful is never acceptable and will not be tolerated. Sometimes sending students to see the principal may be acceptable, but I would start with the classroom discussion.

I agree. Those comments toward the other student were very inappropriate and hurtful. Parents should absolutely be notified and a classroom discussion to go over classroom rules and student expectations should have followed the incident.

I am not in support of punishing the whole class for the views of a few. I would direct my attention to the student who thought they needed to communicate their skewed religious beliefs to a student who was reading a great book.

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Solution #4
As soon as you witness this event, you should bring the students who committed the act of bullying to the side and talk to them. Tell them that what they did qualifies as harassment/bullying, that you will not have discrimination in your classroom, and that you will be emailing their parents to let them know what happened. Also talk to the victim to see how they are doing, and email their parents as well to let them know what happened, and that you are working to resolve this issue. Set aside some time to talk to the whole class about your expectations and how bullying is strictly forbidden, and that if you ever see it again referrals will be written.
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Solution #5
In addition to directly addressing the bullying, try incorporating diversity and inclusion into one of your upcoming lessons. Depending on the age of the students, you can try showing video clips or reading books involving bullying and acceptance. Choose books for read alouds intentionally and ask your students to reflect on a time where they felt left out.
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Solution #6
Did you intervene when the students were whispering and pointing? I would say early intervention in this type of behavior can prevent escalations like we see here where they actually went up to the students and say hurtful things. Additionally, I believe that a class meeting should be had to discuss how to positively and respectfully discuss differences of opinions with people and how all different types of people are welcome in our classroom community, but attacking behaviors are not. Finally, I would have a private conference with each of the students that engaged in this behavior and perhaps have them write an apology note to the student who was victimized in this scenario.

I agree, early intervention is the key, as well as a zero tolerance policy.

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Solution #7
The behavior should be stopped as soon as the students started bullying the student. This is the time to talk to the class as a whole about respect, talk to the bullied student one on one about how it is okay to express yourself because the classroom is a safe environment, and the students who were bullying should be talked to privately about how everyone is different and there is no need for making fun or name calling.
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Solution #8
The next day I would pull the student who made the rude comments and ask why he said that. Tell the student that it is NOT okay to shame someone or make negative comments based on what religion they believe in. If the student is unresponsive, call home and let the parents know about the incident and it is not okay. If it happens again write him up and give a lesson to the class on loving and working together as a class.
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Solution #9
I would remind the students of not only the classroom rules and procedures, but bring in the rules and procedures of the school/district. Many describe that being discriminative is not acceptable. All students have the right to their own opinions, but there is no need for them to be rude. As for the student who was upset, talk to them privately. It is never a bad idea to also involve the guidance counselor for the student to talk to as well. The counselor could even come in and talk to the entire class as well.
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Solution #10
That is unacceptable behavior. I would have pulled those students to the side or into the hallway, to let them know their behavior was inappropriate and will not be tolerated. Explain to the students why their behavior was inappropriate and unacceptable. I would have also made them apologize to the student that was minding their own business. There should be a class discussion to revisit the classroom rules and student behavior expectations. Students should be made aware or reminded that if their opinions are hurtful to others then they need to keep those opinions to themselves or consequences will follow.
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Solution #11
I would have a conversation with the class that not everyone is going to have the same viewpoint as you but that doesn't give you the right to mock or harass them. I would try to teach them to respect other people's opinions and to keep negative or prejudice thoughts to themselves
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Solution #12
I definitely advise you to have a discussion with your students, because as teachers it is up to us to make sure that our students are surrounded by an inclusive environment that will allow them to thrive in this classroom. I also feel like you should refresh your self on the policies made for this and to discuss the next steps with administration. To add parents should definitely be notified.
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Solution #13
This is a simply unacceptable form of behavior from the party of students who mocked the other student for reading the book. I would recommend handling this in-house by talking to the students or alerting an administrator.
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Solution #14
I believe that a class review of rules and expectations should take place. Explain that everyone is entitled to what they believe, however, they are to respect others and keep all religious/cultural biases, especially if thought of as rude, to themselves.
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Solution #15
I would not tolerate that type of behavior inside my classroom. I would have stopped it while it was happening. I would then have a lesson about equality and how it is wrong to bully someone and assuming someone is gay should not happen. I would do a bullying lesson as well. I would also talk to the students all involved and let them know that everyone has their own life and belief systems put into place. I would also talk to the student and the student's parents about the book choice selection to read during school.
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Solution #16
This is a touchy topic and I think you should address it by explaining that everyone believes in different things and making accusatory statements such as these is wrong. Respect for others' beliefs is just as important as others respecting your beliefs.
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Solution #17
Explain that everyone has different beliefs, cultures, and experiences and that bullying will not be tolerated. If the behavior continues contact parents or involve admin.
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Solution #18
Those students should be punished. That is not appropriate behavior, and it doesn't matter what their personal belief is, they should keep it to themselves. School is not the place for preaching, and whatever opinions they may have regarding the topic should be kept to themselves. I'd try to make sure students know this, though I would steer clear of arguing with them on whether they are right or wrong.
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Solution #19
I would hold a classroom discussion that everyone is allowed to believe what they want, but they aren't allowed to make other feel bad because they don't believe the same thing.

This is a good way to go about it without directly targeting a student and making them out as the bad guy to the rest of the class.

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Solution #20
I would address the class as a whole to tell them not everyone people are allowed to have different beliefs and that it is okay to have different opinions but it is not okay to make people feel bad about theirs.
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Solution #21
This can be considered bullying. You should tell the students that everyone is free to learn what they want to learn and that it is not up to them to make them feel bad about it

As this si considered bullying, give the student a warning and then incorporate some punishment on the next offense.

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Solution #22
This definitely needs to be addressed as a whole class. Each student will have a different family upbringing and beliefs, and the students should understand this. Making comments like this regarding the Bible and going to Hell is highly inappropriate for a school conversation.
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Solution #23
I would have a conversation with both sides of students independently so they understand that everyone can believe whatever they want to believe and it is not right to judge someone else for what they believe in.
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Solution #24
I think that a talk needs to be had with the class as a whole because of this that everyone has different beliefs and that they're entitled to that. However, they are all in school to learn and appreciate different thought processes, and though we may not agree with it we cannot interfere. Its ok to challenge, but not to discriminate
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Solution #25
I would have zero tolerance for that kind of bullying. Their behavior would result in a disciplinary referral. Rather than suspend them or make them do detention, I would rather they be required to write a well thought out essay on bigotry and its effects. I would also make sure to speak to the student was the victim of the bullying to comfort them and let them know they could speak to me or the school counselor if they wished. It would also be smart to monitor for any future bullying and to see if I noticed any negative changes in the bullied student's mental or emotional state.
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Solution #26
This is a pure case of ignorance. By educating the students about the book's meaning and, if allowed, homosexuality. They are allowed to have their opinions, but they are not allowed to make a student feel inferior because of their beliefs. Not tolerated one bit.
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Solution #27
I think you need to reach out to your students and talk about differences about people, whether it be who they love, their culture, and more. Tell them not to judge eachother or by the stories we read, as they have themes to them and for people- it makes us unique. Saying something like that can scare others, and preach how this is a safe environment for everyone to learn and grow together.
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Solution #28
Diversity in the classroom can be a very challenging subject for some students, but prejudices such as these stem rom a fear of the unknown. Therefore as the teacher it is your job to educate them and help these students in realizing the topic of diversity.
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Solution #29
I would involve the parents if needed. You do not want to create a situation where you take a side on religion vs a book.
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Solution #30
I would remind the students of the classroom expectations. I would remind them that everyone is entitled to their own set of beliefs, and every students should feel as though the classroom is a safe space. I would remind students that they need to be respectful of one another at all times.
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Solution #31
I would let the student who was picked on know he/she did nothing wrong and make it a point to have the other kid apologize for making a scene. I would also explain to the whole class that we welcome everyone in our classroom. It is okay to be different and as long as your not getting physically hurt you should grab a book and mind your reading.

Do not make it a public situation, address the class as a whole on how they should not bully anyone else, yet address the specific bully individually and get them to apologize.

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Solution #32
Clearly, this kind of thing shouldn't be allowed. All students should be free to express their own cultures and beliefs but within reason. I think it would be important to have some kind of lesson on this and how saying something as they did could be classified as bullying. All the student was doing was reading. Remind that specific student that they should be able to do that without feeling judged and remind the other students that not everything is a sin and not everything means someone is going to hell. Again, if it were me, I would give a lesson that touched on all different kinds of religion and belief systems just to show the students that there are many different ways of living and that's okay.

Establish that noone is allowed to talk down on someone else's religious beliefs.

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Solution #33
Regardless of belief, students need to be respectful of others in school. There should be no form of bullying in the classroom and it shouldn't be tolerated. The students need to be directed to be respectful to others and made aware that doing what they did constitutes as bullying.
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Solution #34
I would explain that the Bible also teaches you to love everyone, and that it isn't our place to judge. Teach the golden rule, and send home a letter to the parents explaining how hurtful and out of line the students behavior was.
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Solution #35
I think this might be a good time to talk to students about being respectful
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