Supporting Student Identities

These simulations are designed to be a safe environment for applying critical and creative thinking to real-world challenges. There is not necessarily a best choice for each decision you will face. This is intended to prompt your thinking about what you would actually want to do beyond the constraints of the simulation. We encourage you to play through the simulation multiple times, trying different options to see how you might adapt to other outcomes. This will allow you to experience and work through different consequences, even if you would not have chosen those options in real life. 

In this simulation, you will see what may seem like prejudice or bullying against the religious identity of one of the students. As a fourth-grade teacher, you will have opportunities to address the situation with the parents of the students involved, with your class, as well as with the principal.

Key Characters

• Aisha, a student in your class
• Joe, a student in your class
• Aisha’s mother
• Joe’s mother
• Principal

Trade-offs to Consider

• Focusing on immediate safety vs. restoring the class community
• Considering traditional classroom management vs. employing restorative practices
• Providing information vs. active listening

Download Simulation Overviews