Anyone have a child who refused to dissect something in biology class?

[luvflorida]

Dissecting insects, frogs, and other small animals is part of the requirement in Sophomore year Biology class. My daughter is a Freshman now, so this will be coming up next year.

Yesterday, in Science class, her teacher casually started talking about dissecting cats, (I'm not sure what started the topic), but my daughter didn't want to hear anything about it. She is an avid animal lover and a member of PETA, and can't stand the thought of anyone doing anything to harm an animal, dead or alive. When I picked her up after school she told me that she would NEVER dissect an animal next year in Biology.

Has anyone had any experience with a child not wanting to do this in Biology? I like that she is sticking to her principles, but I'm not sure her teacher will.

 

[Spinning]

When I was in high school many moons ago. We had a kid out class who would not. What the did was make them study with either models or photos then she had to take the test just like everyone else but used the teachers Frog. He held it for her and pointed so she never had to touch it.

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

We dissected rats in the 7th grade and you had to do it unless you had a valid reason (and a signed note from a parent or doctor) stating you couldn't.

 

[Jolie C]

When I was in high school, it was optional. All of the kids who didn't want to dissect a baby pig went to the library and did a different assignment.

 

[shortbun]

I refused over 30 years ago to disect a fetal pig. I got another assignment.

 

[bananiem]

I took zoology in high school and a number of different animals were dissected. We didn't have to do the dissecting as long as our partner or someone else would do it for us. We had lots of guys who were more than willing to do the cutting for us.
Is it a required biology course? Could she take Earth Bio or something instead?

 

[GoodFairies]

She might be able to do a ton of extra credit if she refuses to do the assignment (if she gets a very nice and understanding teacher), but I would still be prepared that she could easily fail or slip a grade in that class for refusing. I don't get why some people can't handle it though. Sure it's gross, but it's not she killed the animal, and she's not harming it because it's already dead.

 

[gr8tpanther]

I don't recall having to actually DO this in school. If I remember correctly, we paired off and I made my partner do it! I was NOT going to do it!

I will not make my children do it either.

 

[cgcw]

We did this in both 7th grade and freshman year of high school. I managed to get out of it both time.

In 7th grade, I was "sick" that day. In high school, it worked out that my parents took us out for a trip someplace while they did it.

I still feel bad I missed out on the opprotunity........NOT!

 

[luvflorida]

She might be able to do a ton of extra credit if she refuses to do the assignment (if she gets a very nice and understanding teacher), but I would still be prepared that she could easily fail or slip a grade in that class for refusing. I don't get why some people can't handle it though. Sure it's gross, but it's not she killed the animal, and she's not harming it because it's already dead.

It doesn't matter that SHE didn't kill it, but just the thought of having to look at "a poor, little, defenseless animal", and the thoughts of what eveyone is doing to it. It may not seem rational to everyone else, but to her it's heartbreaking.

 

[caitycaity]

in my biology class (AP) we were required to do all the dissections - no choice. it was important to actually know the stuff too because we were tested on it.

 

[luvflorida]

When I was in high school, it was optional. All of the kids who didn't want to dissect a baby pig went to the library and did a different assignment.

Oh, this would be terrible. She LOVES pigs! I'm hoping she'll be able to do other assignments.

 

[canwegosoon]

I refused...I failed that quarter. I would ask the principal or teacher soon to find out the penalty or solution.

 

[ashjohnson80]

I refused to dissect a pig. I had dissected frogs and earthworms in middle school but in high school i was a vegitarian and i just couldn't do it. i got a zero and detention but my parents weren't mad at me or anything they supported my decision to not do it.

 

[kimwim8]

I refused to dissect the animals in sophomore biology mainly b/c I have such a weak stomach (14 years ago). I was the only one, and the teacher made me write a few extra papers, but I was never threatened with failing. I would think that biology teachers would expect that.

What's funny, though, is freshman year in college I had to to take biology & I thought by then I was able to handle it. I think it was a frog - I actually felt myself getting dizzy, and asked if I could put some cold water on my face, but I never made it to the sink. I passed out cold & fell to the floor!! HA HA HA! That professor never made me do any more dissections!!

 

[remyandhollandsmommy]

That was the very reason I took Marine Biology instead in high school! I hope ya'll find a solution!

 

[eeyore45]

It is important for you to talk to the principal about policies. Be careful to not sound judgemental, and be careful about how the teacher may perceive this. Usually a principal will not tell you a direct answer without knowing what the teacher's rules are regarding anything. If you are very lucky your school district board has a policy, and then you wont have to worry about it!! Otherwise it just depends on the whims of the teacher, and in your district it could mean failing the assignment, the class, to just getting an alternative assignment. Usually in this day and age, alternative assignments on dissections are common... but it truly depends.

 

[luvflorida]

I refused to dissect a pig. I had dissected frogs and earthworms in middle school but in high school i was a vegitarian and i just couldn't do it. i got a zero and detention but my parents weren't mad at me or anything they supported my decision to not do it.

Hopefully, it won't come to this, but I feel the same way. My daughter has always been an honors student, and always in the 95-99th percentile on standardized tests. She knows we expect her to maintain good grades, but in a case like this, the good grade will take a back seat.

 

[cats7494]

I refused to dissect a LIVE rat that was under anesthesia 15 years ago in a high school biology class. The teacher was not very good about it so I did not pass that section of the class. I still ended up with a good grade in the class but it was definitely not the A I had before....but I am very proud that I did not give into someone else's principles just to get a good grade!

 

[Knight]

If Anatomy is a required course in your daughter's high school, you might want to check into that one while you're talking to the principal about biology dissections. My Anatomy class took a field trip to a medical college and saw humans dissected. Every high school is different, though.