Fairness

Being a good person also means being FAIR and understanding that fair doesn’t always mean equal. Some traits of fairness include: sharing and taking turns, keeping an open mind about opinions that differ from yours, not blaming others, playing by the rules, respecting the rights of others, and treating other fairly.

The “Challenge" Activity: 

 

1) Define/Discuss Fairness to your class in a way that is appropriate to your grade level.

Example: Being fair is one of the most important fabrics of a person’s character. Some ways to show fairness are by playing by the rules, being honest, including other, making decisions in a fair way, respecting the rights of others, and staying open-minded to opinions that differ from yours. Overall, being fair is about treating other people with kindness and respect, which we all deserve.

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2) Read the book, The Day the Crayons Quit. You can find the book in the school library, Mrs. V also has a copy you could borrow, or show your class the online read aloud by clicking on the title of the book above. Then, have a discussion about the main idea of the book, focused on fairness.

 

CLR Activity: Thumbs Up/Down

To jumpstart your discussion, consider using this CLR activity

Protocol/Description:

1. The teacher asks a question.

2. Students share their thoughts by putting their thumbs up to indicate yes answers, down to indicate no answers, or sideways to indicate their uncertainty.

Examples:

• Do want people to treat you fairly?

• Do you always treat other people fairly?

• Do you treat people the way you want to be treated?

• Do you and your friends find ways to play fairly?

• Do you play by the rules?

• Have you ever experienced others not playing fairly?

• Do you think being fair is important?

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3) Complete the Crayon Template. 

 

Grades Pre-K-2

• Illustrate how you show fairness to others. Captions are optional. Cut out.
• On the back, write student’s and teacher’s name.

Grades 3-5

• Describe how you show fairness to others. Illustrations are optional. Cut out. 
• On the back, write student’s and teacher’s name.

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4) Turn in the completed “Crayons” to the workroom in the “Crayon Box.” We will be sharing student examples at Flag Salute throughout February.

 

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5) Challenge Completed...submit your name in the "Challenge" link located in the left-hand column of this page. 

 

Strictly No Elephants

by Lisa Mantchev

(Inclusion)

 

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For the Right to Learn

by Rebecca Langston-George

(Human Rights, Education)

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OTHER BOOKS:

• Fairness Counts, by Mary Elizabeth Salzmann
• Do Unto Otters, by Laurie Keller. 
• It’s Not Fair, by Amy Rosenthal. 
• A Taste of Colored Water, by Matt Faulkner, 4/5 grade
• Scholastic's 100 Books That Build Character

Learning to Play Fair: Is it the same for kids around the world?  

(Grades 4-5)

• “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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  “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” – U.S. Declaration of Independence

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  “When you’ve…walked through that doorway of opportunity, you do not slam it shut behind you. You reach back, and you give other folks the same chances that helped you succeed.” – Michelle Obama

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  “I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”  -Martin Luther King, Jr.

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  “Being good is easy, what is difficult is being just.” – Victor Hugo

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  "Teach all men to fish, but first teach all men to be fair. Take less, give more"

Basketball team gets unlikely support (grades 4/5)

 

A Second Honeymoon! (grade 5) 

 

Kid President "How to Change the World" 

 

Elmo and Cookie Monster learn about sharing (primary grades) 

 

MLK's "I Have A Dream" speech (grades 4/5)

Check out other stories and quotes by kids doing the fair thing! 

 

Fairness Inspiration