Fair is Not Equal Activity

How do you teach students the concept of fair is not equal? Use this simple Fair vs Same Flash Card Activity as a fun and inclusive back to school activity in your special education or general education classroom to show students that being treated fairly does not mean they will all get the exact same thing. Fair means everyone gets what they need, not that everyone gets the exact same thing. This is an excellent differentiation lesson for students or activity for your own kids to explain why different does not mean unfair and that you give kids different things they need to make it fair.

Pair this activity with one of my other back to school activities, closing discussion and an exit slip for a no prep free lesson for the first day or week of school. Follow my TpT Store for more free and discounted no prep ELA, SEL and Social Studies lessons for elementary, middle and high school students.

Download my Fair is Not the Same Cards and give one injury card to every student. Then hand one bandaid card to every students and ask them to stand up of the bandaid helps their specific injury or issue. Likely only the child with the skinned knee will stand, while those with a stiff neck, headache, poison ivy, etc. will remain seated.

Explain that when you give them all the exact same thing they do not get what they need and you are not actually helping them. Same does not equal fair.

Then hand everyone a new card that actually helps them with their ailment: ice pack; anti-itch cream; heating pad; sling; Tylenol; water; etc.

Explain that depending on what they each need, you will give them different things to help them.

Equal or same does not mean fair.

Explain that at times students may see you helping another student in a different way then you help them. Remember that hat is important is that they each get what they need even if what they need looks different. If you ar e not giving them that they need, they can always ask for something different.