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You are here: Home / management / Fair Doesn’t Have to Be Equal
management

Fair Doesn’t Have to Be Equal

June 13, 2012

Maria Dismondy of Be the Difference has started a series of monthly linky parties called Make a Difference Monthly. In case you missed it, I’ve already blogged about empathy and respect. This month’s topic is fairness.
I hope my perspective of fairness isn’t too far off from the mainstream because this approach has greatly reduced the exclamations of “It’s not fair!” that used to be the norm in our classroom. My philosophy is simple: fair is not always equal. This was an idea that I first encountered in a conference with Brian Mendler. The team that went liked his ideas so much that we invited him to staff retreat the following summer as our main presenter. You can also read a one-page summary of the ideas and background with some research notes here.
Let’s think about this a little more. Think of all the students in your classroom and the individual academic and behavioral accommodations they require to be successful. If one student needs glasses, does that mean all students should wear them? Of course not. If one student needs to sit on a wiggle seat to get her extra energy out, does that mean all students should? I don’t think so. Perhaps an especially impulsive child needs a few more reminders and a few less immediate consequences. The wonderful thing about children is that they are all unique and a one-size-fits-all approach just isn’t fair, even if it is “equal”.

Here’s a poster that I hang in our classroom. You can download it for free in my TeachersPayTeachers store. With a few classroom discussions and examples, students really begin to understand what fairness is all about. It’s a beautiful thing. I also like using this picture book.

 

Click on over to see all of the posts about fairness and join June’s discussion. I’d love to hear your ideas!



fairness make a difference monthly
by Christi Fultz 

About Christi Fultz

wife • mom • teacher • writer • tech obsessed • sometime crafter • beach lover | Empowering entrepreneurs through branding & website design

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Comments

  1. Katie says: June 13, 2012 at 2:24 pm

    I love love love this. I truly believe students understand this too. I teach a very diverse class. Last year, I had a student in my class who did not know her letter sounds and I had a student reading at 6th grade level in the SAME class. It was very difficult. The students realize more than we think – they know who the "smartest" ones are and who the struggling students are. I had lots of class meetings at the beginning of the year about it, and my students stepped up. I will NEVER forgot the day my very low student rose her hand to answer a math question. I feel guilty now, because I honestly thought she would get it wrong. It was a very tricky question, but she had a determined look so I called on her. She got it right, and immediately (without any promoting) the rest of the students started clapping and cheering. It was a great day 🙂

    I saw this quote on pinterest this morning "fair isn't everybody getting the same thing… fair is everybody getting what they need to be successful." So true 🙂

    [sorry I wrote a lot!]

    Katie
    Dirty Hands and Lesson Plans

    • Christi at Ms. Fultz's Corner says: June 13, 2012 at 11:08 pm

      That's a goose bump moment for sure!

  2. Lisa R. says: June 13, 2012 at 2:39 pm

    You hit the nail on the head with this one. I think it's important to teach our kids early that everyone is unique and different, so we need to accomodate to each individual's needs. This means that everyone won't receive the same help or treatment based on who they are as an individual. Thanks for sharing this! Love!
    Lisa
    Learning Is Something to Treasure

  3. mjfavre says: June 13, 2012 at 4:19 pm

    Such an important point to make in a classroom. Thank you for posting on this. I will definitely be using the glasses analogy with my kids. I've been a stalker and am now a new follower. I added your button to my 3rd grade blog love page, too.
    Thanks,
    Megan
    I Teach. What's Your Super Power?

    • Christi at Ms. Fultz's Corner says: June 13, 2012 at 11:07 pm

      I love that you say you've been a stalker and are now a follower. Welcome, teacher friend! =)

  4. Beg, Borrow, and Teach! says: June 13, 2012 at 7:47 pm

    Thank you for sharing this! I am definitely using the poster and book this year!

  5. Maria says: June 15, 2012 at 8:09 pm

    This is great! Thank you so much for the free download! I really appreciate you linking up!!! 🙂 Maria

  6. Anonymous says: June 16, 2012 at 8:39 am

    Thank you for this. A GREAT way to explain to my middle child why her life runs a little different from her older sister with autism ("How come she never has homework?" "Why doesn't she have to do x?" etc). Awesome autism resource!

  7. Scotty and Emi says: June 29, 2012 at 8:30 pm

    I love this! I found it on Pinterest and I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY want to feature this entry on my blog! Please, oh please, please, please? And by the way–your blog header? That's Janda Everyday Casual–that's my font! 😀 I'm Janda (J=Jonathan and A=Austin, that's me!)! I'm SO FLATTERED you're using it! Don't you love Kimberly Geswein fonts??

    • Christi at Ms. Fultz's Corner says: June 29, 2012 at 9:02 pm

      How funny about the font. I do love Kimberly! You're welcome to feature this on your blog as long as you provide the links from mine and keep it watermarked if you want to post the picture on your blog to go with it.

  8. Barbara says: July 24, 2012 at 12:24 pm

    Hi Christi – just found this on Pinterest and LOVE your poster! Such a hard concept for kids (and grown ups!) to grasp, eh? We've also talked about bedtimes to illustrate the concept – does everyone in your family go to bed at the same time? (Usually not.) Is that fair?

    Thank you for the great download!

    Barbara
    The Corner On Character

  9. Nic says: August 28, 2012 at 10:22 am

    Love it!
    I have been trying to explain this to my six year old for months.
    I've just discovered your blog from Pinterest tonight – I'll be back!!

    Thanks 🙂

    • Christi at Ms. Fultz's Corner says: August 28, 2012 at 8:16 pm

      I'm so glad you found me then! 🙂

  10. Mrs Warner says: August 31, 2012 at 10:03 pm

    What a fabulous way to demonstrate this very difficult concept for young children. Thank you for the free poster.

    Mrs Warner
    Fieldhead Carr Primary School
    Leeds
    UK
    http://WWW.year4blogspot.blogspot.Co.uk

  11. Lynne says: September 3, 2012 at 6:34 pm

    Thanks! Love this for my inclusion class. I will have many learning levels and it's hard for kids to understand why someone else gets different work/books etc. My 4th graders will love this. Have a wonderful school year!!

  12. Matt Gomez says: August 23, 2013 at 12:35 am

    Amazing poster. I have shared it on my facebook page, pinterest and twitter. Thank you!

  13. Shanyn Claycomb says: May 5, 2014 at 5:02 pm

    HI there! I was so happy to see this when I googled fair vs. equal. I am in the process of teaching this concept to K-2. I was wondering what book you like to use? You mention it but then there is a frowny face where the picture/link should be. I am interested in which book you use to help you with the concept. Thanks so much!
    -Shanyn

  14. Shanyn Claycomb says: May 5, 2014 at 5:06 pm

    HI there! I was so happy to see this when I googled fair vs. equal. I am in the process of teaching this concept to K-2. I was wondering what book you like to use? You mention it but then there is a frowny face where the picture/link should be. I am interested in which book you use to help you with the concept. Thanks so much!
    -Shanyn

Christi Fultz

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As an experienced third grade teacher with a Masters in Elementary Education and K-12 reading license, I know educational resources need to be both inviting and engaging to capture students' interests. I am passionate about creating user-friendly resources to help all students learn while saving valuable prep for teachers. Read More…

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Joy // I shared this in stories, but it deserves a Joy // I shared this in stories, but it deserves a permanent place in my feed too. When do we lose this endless wonder and joy?? These kids are here for a good time all the time. 

They loved a night in a hotel to swim and play. It wasn’t a relaxing experience away with a spa like many of my trips pre-kids, but it was exactly what we needed.
Proof Of Mom // Took the kids to opening day at @k Proof Of Mom // Took the kids to opening day at @kentuckykingdom today. After moving back to Louisville last summer, it’s been fun exploring old places that are “new” to my kids. The new ownership seems to have big plans for the park. Carter is eager for the water rides to open. We’ll be back soon!

#kentuckyblogger #kyblogger #louisvilleblogger #igerslouisville #derbycitymama #kentuckymom ⁠#locallouisville #louisvillelove #mylouisville⁠ #howwelou #louisvilleigers #momsaroundlouisville #momlife
Happy Easter // So blessed to be their momma. 🐰 Happy Easter // So blessed to be their momma. 🐰

#kentuckyblogger #kyblogger #louisvilleblogger #igerslouisville #derbycitymama #kentuckymom  #locallouisville #louisvillelove #mylouisville⁠ #howwelou #louisvilleigers #momsaroundlouisville #momlife #instagrammom #momsofig
New Dress // This girly of mine is all smiles for New Dress // This girly of mine is all smiles for her new Target dress. I have trouble getting her to look directly at the camera and give me a real smile. Swipe to see her “whole face smile” look. 😆 I am so blessed to be her momma.

Spring break was so much fun. It makes me really excited for summer break with them. This is such a fun age.

#kentuckyblogger #kyblogger #louisvilleblogger #igerslouisville #derbycitymama #kentuckymom ⁠#locallouisville #louisvillelove #mylouisville⁠ #howwelou #louisvilleigers #momsaroundlouisville #momlife #instagrammom #momsofig #girlmama
Spring Break // We had a blast at @greatwolflodge Spring Break // We had a blast at @greatwolflodge for spring break! Carter said his favorite part was a tie between playing and eating… we did a lot of both! This was our first time, but we learned quite a few tips and tricks that I’ll share on the blog soon.

#greatwolflodge #greatwolflodgemasonohio #greatwolflodgeohio #kentuckyblogger #kentuckymom #momlife #instagrammom #momsofig #springbreakwithkids #springbreak2022
Spring // We are all smiles over here for warmer w Spring // We are all smiles over here for warmer weather and days spent playing outside. ⁠
⁠
⁠
#kentuckyblogger #kyblogger #louisvilleblogger #igerslouisville #derbycitymama #kentuckymom ⁠#locallouisville #louisvillelove #mylouisville⁠ #howwelou #louisvilleigers #momsaroundlouisville #momlife #instagrammom #momsofig #girlmama #springinkentucky
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