That's Not fair: A lesson about Fairness

Objectives:

Students will be able to:

• Understand what it means to be fair

• Give examples of what is fair and not fair

Materials:

• Band-Aid

• Fairness worksheet

• Fairness Poster

Introduction:

Let students know that this week we will be talking about fairness. Ask students “What does it mean to be fair?” Let students discuss and share examples of fairness. (examples: whatever he gets, I get too. We all get the same stuff")

Go ahead and explain the following definition:

Activity #1

Let’s pretend that we all got hurt on the playground at recess. Right now, in your mind, make a pretend ouchie” (Examples: knew, my toe, my hand, my head, etc.) Ask a few students to point where they got hurt and pretend you put a Band-Aid on their arm. Do the same with another student, no matter where they say their pretend owie is, pretend you put a Band-Aid in the same place.

(Students will say “Hey! That’s not where I said!” but just remind them to keep their comments and questions until after. When students get the idea, start a discussion with your students. Here are some good discussion prompts:

What did I do?

Were you upset that I didn’t listen to you?

Why do you think I did that?

I was just being fair (If applicable: Like you said earlier, fair is when we all get the same thing, right?)

Example: Let’s say (students name) actually got hurt on the playground. Student #1 got a cut on his leg, and student #2 hurt his elbow. Should you put their Band-Aids in the same place? Why not? Because that’s not what they needed. “Fair isn’t everyone getting the same thing, fair is everyone getting what they need in order to be successful.” Successful means that you are able to work hard and do well in school. Then pick two students to re-do their Band-Aids. Put them in the places they are “hurt.” Explain that it’s okay they are different because that’s what they needed.

Check for Understanding:

Now apply the band-aid method to a few more applicable situations. “Now for example let’s say (student) needs a new piece of paper because his/hers ripped. Should everyone stand up and get a new piece of paper at the same time?” The answer is “no.”

Decide whether these situations are fair, or not fair and circle the answer.

After students respond to the questions go over fairness one more time and have them draw a picture and say a few sentences describing what fairness means.