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Students explore why sharing is an ethical choice and how it affects their friendships.
Imagine you have the most delicious cookie in the world, but you are eating it all alone. Now imagine eating it while laughing with your best friend. Which one feels better?
When we share, we are being kind. Ethics is a big word that means thinking about what is fair and good. Sharing is an ethical choice because it shows our friends that we care about their feelings. Scientists have found that when we share, our brains feel a 'warm glow.' It makes us feel just as happy as the person receiving the toy! Sharing is like building a bridge between you and a friend. It turns 'my toy' into 'our fun.'
Quick Check
How does your brain feel when you share something with a friend?
Answer
It feels a 'warm glow' or makes us feel happy and kind.
Not everything is the same! Some things are Easy to Share because there are many of them, like a box of 24 crayons or a big pile of LEGO blocks. Other things are Hard to Share because they are very special to us, like a favorite teddy bear you sleep with every night, or something that can't be split, like a half-eaten apple! Understanding what is hard to share helps us be brave when we try to do it anyway.
If you have a box of crayons, you can share them easily. 1. Count your crayons. Let's say you have . 2. Your friend has . 3. You give your friend crayons. 4. Now you both have crayons! This is called being Fair because .
Quick Check
Is a favorite security blanket 'easy' or 'hard' to share?
Answer
It is 'hard' to share because it is very special and personal.
Sometimes, we can't share a toy at the exact same time. You can't both sit on the same swing at once! This is when we use Taking Turns. Taking turns is a way of sharing time instead of sharing things. To be a great friend, you need to use your 'Magic Words' so your friend doesn't feel pushed or rushed. This keeps the playground a happy place for everyone.
When you want to use the swing and a friend is already on it: 1. Walk up and stand a safe distance away. 2. Wait for a small break in the action. 3. Use the Magic Words: 'May I please have a turn when you are finished?' 4. If they say 'Yes,' wait patiently. If they say 'Five more minutes,' you can count to seconds () while you wait!
What happens if there are three friends but only one ball? This is a Fairness Challenge. To solve it, we use a Rotation. This means we make a line or a circle. Friend A goes first, then Friend B, then Friend C. Then it starts over! This ensures that everyone gets an equal amount of fun. Being fair means thinking about the group, not just yourself.
Imagine you have pizza cut into slices. There are friends. 1. To be fair, everyone should get the same amount. 2. We calculate: . 3. Even if you are very hungry, taking slices would mean someone else only gets . Sharing means everyone gets their slices!
Why is sharing considered a 'good' or 'ethical' choice?
Which of these is usually 'Easy to Share'?
Taking turns is a way of sharing your time with a friend.
Review Tomorrow
Tomorrow morning, try to remember the three 'Magic Words' you should use when you want to ask for a turn.
Practice Activity
Find one 'Easy to Share' item today (like a snack or a book) and offer to share it with someone in your family!