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Students explore the difference between things being 'equal' and things being 'fair' in different contexts.
Imagine your whole class is going for a run, and the teacher gives everyone a pair of size 7 shoes. It’s perfectly 'equal' because everyone got the same thing—but is it actually 'fair' if your feet are a size 4 or a size 10?
Most people think being fair means treating everyone exactly the same. This is called Equality. If you have 10 cookies and 10 friends, giving each friend cookie is equal. However, sometimes treating people the same isn't actually fair.
Equity means giving everyone what they need to be successful. Imagine a student who uses a wheelchair and a student who can walk. If a school only has stairs, that is 'equal' because both students have the same path. But it isn't 'fair' because the student in the wheelchair can't use the stairs. Adding a ramp provides Equity because it gives that student the specific tool they need to get into the building.
1. A teacher gives an eye exam to the whole class. 2. Three students find out they cannot see the board clearly. 3. The teacher gives glasses only to those three students. 4. This is Equity because only the students who needed help received the tool, even though the rest of the class didn't get anything new.
Quick Check
If a teacher gives every single student a band-aid, even if they aren't bleeding, is that Equality or Equity?
Answer
That is Equality, because everyone is receiving the exact same thing regardless of their needs.
In school, we often work in groups or play games. Fairness here means making sure everyone has a chance to participate. If one person does all the work in a group project, the grade might be 'equal' (everyone gets an A), but the workload was unfair.
To keep things fair, we look for barriers. A barrier is something that stops someone from doing their best. In a game of tag, if one person is much faster than everyone else, you might give the slower players a 'head start' of seconds. This adjustment makes the game more competitive and fun for everyone involved!
1. A group of four students must build a poster. 2. One student is great at drawing, one is a fast researcher, and two are good at organizing. 3. Instead of everyone trying to draw at the same time, they divide the work based on their strengths. 4. This is fair because everyone contributes their best skills to reach the same goal.
Quick Check
Why might giving a head start in a race be considered 'fair' even if it isn't 'equal'?
Answer
Because it accounts for different ability levels to ensure everyone has a challenging and competitive experience.
When things feel unfair, we often feel angry or frustrated. The best way to solve a 'fairness fight' is to use Negotiation. This means talking to find a solution that respects everyone's needs.
Instead of shouting 'That's not fair!', try using an 'I' statement. For example: 'I feel frustrated because I haven't had a turn to speak.' By identifying the specific need (the need to be heard), the group can move from an equal distribution of time to an equitable one where everyone gets a chance to share their ideas.
1. You have 1 pizza with slices for 4 people. 2. An 'equal' split is slices each. 3. However, one friend hasn't eaten all day, and another friend just had a big snack. 4. A fair solution would be to ask the group: 'Is everyone equally hungry?' and perhaps giving slices to the hungry friend and to the friend who just ate.
Which of these is an example of Equity?
In a group project, what makes the work 'fair'?
True or False: If something is equal, it is always fair.
Review Tomorrow
Tomorrow morning, look around your classroom. Can you find one example of Equity (a tool or rule that helps someone specifically) and one example of Equality?
Practice Activity
The next time you play a game with a younger sibling or friend, ask: 'Do we need to change any rules to make this fair for both of us?'