How should High School Biology Teachers manage a classroom full of Creationists?

Question

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I think that some of you are a bit naive about the preparation teenagers are given at some of the fundamentalist churches. They get the full rundown on evolution and how to counter each component of the theory.

The Teachers are forced to know more detail and expected to provide contrary evidence in class. It's like being witnessed to by a raving Christian, but you can't get away because it's your job.

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Answer 1

Explain that what you're teaching is a theory, and while they might not believe in it, they are expected to learn the theory, so they can then at least intelligently argue against it if they wish. Tell them that you don't want to hear the arguments in class, because you've heard them all before, and it doesn't change the fact that they still need to learn the theory. (Advice from an evolutionist.)

Answer 2

Hello NH Baritone.. :)

As for managing a classroom full of Creationists..the Teacher should teach everyone and treat all the same..the Teacher should not have to expect anything different from any student..for they are in the public school system..

Because the teacher is teaching about Biology, then the students no matter what their faith or non-faith is, must be ready and willing to answer the questions that the Teacher has posed..

My daughter when she was 10 years old wrote about Creation when she took her test, concerning the beginning of the world and because of this, she received an F..but I explained to her, that though I feel her answer is correct, she must answer the question from the Teachers viewpoint and not ours..we went to the school together, and the Principal and her Teacher met with us they were very gracious enough to give my daughter the test all over again..to which they said she could use both answers, just as long as the first answer was the correct one that her Teacher was looking for..She received and A+..

Sometimes we must compromise in the public school systems..we also must stay gracious, Loving and understanding.. :)


In Jesus Most Precious Name..
With Love..In Christ.. :)

Answer 3

I was thinking about that yesterday and I realized that never once did anyone I went to school with bring up creationism. We all just took the classes and everyone kept their opinion to themselves. When I was a teenager, I was honestly ignorant of the fact that there really were people who believed in it. I really thought that no one took that literally anymore. For the most part, the kids in my public school were Christian to an extent. There were a lot of Catholics but no one ever talked about religion in school. I suppose the people who actually cared were either home schooled or went to parochial school but I'm not even sure if they teach creationism there.

I was trying to figure out a way for them to teach both but it seems impossible. Even if Creationism was offered as an elective course, it wouldn't be fair if the creationists felt they had to take both courses or were able to get out of taking biology all together. They would need an entire new biology program for those kids and that would cost money. Most parents would not want to pay for the Creationism/biology classes. If given a choice, I'm afraid lots of kids might end up taking the Creationism class instead because it's 'easier'. To teach both in one classroom, the course would last for a few years and it would be completely unfair for the kids who don't believe in Creationism or evolution. It's best to keep the Creationism in private schools but then creationists would be angry that they need to pay taxes to support public schools that teach evolution since their kids aren't even attending that school.

Answer 4

Be respectful, you'll gain nothing by starting a debate. Explain that you will teach evolution, they will be tested and you will not accept the answer "it's fake" on any exam. Then matter-of-factly teach the science. If the students are really giving you a hard time. Talk to your principal etc (I don't want you to get into trouble) then bring a bible. Explain that there is nothing in Genesis that contradicts the theory of evolution. God gave humans free will he started evolution in order to see where it would go. Whether you believe it or not, it gives you a way to get through to them without them hearing that what they believe is wrong. If you are desperate and this happens a lot, talk with local church leaders (in private so they can listen without having to answer to their congregations) and see if you can enlist their help. Tell the church figures that the kids need to understand it if for no other reason then to be able to argue it later and ask for them to talk with the kids and tell the kids to back off and listen. That should help prevent future issues too.
No matter what they believe our children need to know and understand what evolution des and does not mean. So many times people who believe in Creation have no idea what evolution is or what it actually says. How can anyone expect to mount an intellectual debate for or against if they don't know what they are talking about. Understanding doesn't mean accepting or believing, just listening and thinking, putting aside disbelief in order to truly see what the argument is, or whether there even is one.

Answer 5

First, you inform them that Science is not the enemy of the Christian religion.
Second, you explain that science is interested in explaining the natural world.
Third, because it is only interested in the natural world, the supernatural world cannot be explained or tested by the scientific method.
Fourth, reinterate 1 by explaining that science offers answers to things observed in the natural world. It does not have a monopoly on the truth. Just because science can explain something in the natural world doesn't mean that there isn't any chance of a supernatural impact
Finally, reinterte 3 science does not seek to prove nor disprove the existence of God. Science is neutral.

Answer 6

Wow, that sucks for you. And yeah, it happens a lot, but not everywhere. What's becoming more common is to teach evolution badly, and then teach a bunch of stupid criticisms of evolution alongside, like the "why are there still apes?" bit. And yes, its odd that being politically conservative and Christian and being a science denier all go together, but empirically, they do. Do your best to learn some basics on the internet, so you can pass state science tests, if you have to, and so that you know a bit for college, if you take biology there.

Answer 7

A teacher is taught to enhance and expand the knowledge of each class. Questions are a source of knowledge and active learning.

I can not imagine that ANY teacher would not enjoy the exchange of open dialog and discussion of science and our world.

Allow the students to verbalize their beliefs and knowledge of science, then point out the information that you as teacher will place upon the examination. Each student, must know what will be tested on, but knowledge is well beyond this written measurement.

Relax. Enjoy the exchange and open your mind.

Answer 8

Stick with the basics of science. Define what is a theory versus speculation. Define how evidence is based on objective, verifiable, validatable data. Allow open dialog on different speculations, and ask (as most logical people do) for the evidence that supports such speculations. Present the current accepted theory of evolution, and the evidence that supports it. Tell why people accept this over other hypotheses.

Remember that it is the job of the teachers to show and reveal the truth.

Answer 9

Like any other kids. It's a science class, not a theology class, and it has to stay on-topic. If they aren't interested in learning the material, they fail. The first thing they need to learn is the difference between a hypothesis and a scientific theory, so you don't end up dealing with "just a theory" syndrome.

In college, they might find themselves having to learn about, and write about, things they don't agree with. You don't have to agree with something to study it, and that is lesson number one. I can get an A in aberrant psychology without thinking like a serial killer, a biology student can get an A without "believing in evolution".

Answer 10

I may become a biology teacher, but if I do, I'm going to do what my biology teacher did. He assigned a paper about either creation or evolution, what we believed, and said that he wanted "proof" no matter which one we wrote. I really had a lot of fun writing that paper, and that way you don't really offend anyone. It's a good idea.