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As part of our Inquiry Project, we decided to survey some middle school
teachers. What better way to get to the core of our issue? Below is
the actual survey we conducted, along with some of the answers we
received.
How Far is too Far?
1. What do middle schools consider
controversial?
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Sexual inuendo's, language, drugs,
clothing, sexual orientation
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The hot buttons for kids in our school
would be issues such as gay/lesbian issues, sexuality, and abortion. I
don't necessarily say that the school considers them controversial, the kids
do.
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nothing
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abortion, racial issues, welfare,
homosexuality, dissection, animal rights, human rights
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napster, elections, racial, sexuality,
internet access (no filters)
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grades, religion, violence/harassement,
suicide, sex, drugs and rock and roll
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gay/lesbian issues (health), suicide
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sex, violence, religion, drug use
2. From your personal experience, what are
some of the controversial issues (emotional/social problems) that have come up
in your classroom?
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sexual relations, alcohol abuse, child
abuse, breaking the law, violence, drug use/abuse
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violence, gay/lesbian, male/female issues,
bullying
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suicide, harassment, sex, religion
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death/dying, grieving about student who
died
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homosexuality/sexual identity, being
mature/respectful when the issue comes up
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napster--internet access
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same as above
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sex, drugs, girls/boys, gays
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The above stated issues, but also issues
of difference and acceptance. Students on the fringe are not accepted
by their peers and this has been discussed in my classroom.
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drinking/driving, religion, abortion,
sexual orientation, capital punishment
3. Have you had issues in the classroom that
you chose not to address or teach about? What were they?
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I attempt to discuss these issues to get
the kids thinking about multiple perspectives--I tend to keep religion
quiet--address problems one-on-one in the hall.
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No, I always confront an issue as direct
as possible. I may make a choice to not spend a great deal of time
discussing it, but I do confront it.
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Willing to discuss anything---age
approperiate
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I try to address all thins they bring
up. I've avoided abortion-
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no
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no
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no
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sex ed
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homosexuality, religion
4. What is your schools policy about teaching
issues that may be controversial?
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Not aware of issues--I attempt to present
the FACTS of all sides, regardless of opinions, they are discussed after--no
one responds directly to an opinion and respect is essential
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I really do not know. I do not feel
my job would be threatened by any discussions I have in my classroom
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Not specific
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Not clear on the policy--present two sides
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Be fair/be honest/balance both sides of
the issue
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Parent consent about certain issues
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Let parents have prior knowledge
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Don't know--let parents know before you
start?
5. What issue do you fear the most that may
come up in the classroom? Will you teach about this issue?
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Male/Female roles and suicide
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None--Yes-address anything if important
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Sex--I don't know
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Detailed questions regarding sex
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Prejudices against their peers--Yes--not
directly, but by discussing diversity, treating each other
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Nothing
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Peer relationships--Yes I have
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Religion in public schools--Yes, I have
recently addressed it in teaching about Islam, a major religion which
governs many middle Eastern countries--In doing this, we compared other
major religions. Facts, not personal beliefs
If you were one of the fabulous teachers
that participated in this survey, thank you so much for your help! This
gave us some good starting points to putting this page together. Thanks
again!
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