Lesson
1
:

Learning Fairness from Literature

Grade

Grade 1

UNIT

7

Fairness

Last Updated:

June 5, 2025

Unit 7, Lesson 1, “Learning Fairness from Literature,” reinforces the vocabulary word fairness. Students will learn the examples of fairness from a contemporary work of children’s literature. Additionally, students will create their own sentences that demonstrate their comprehension of the word fairness. Finally, students will practice their reading and conversation skills by sharing sentences with classmates.

SUGGESTED TIME:

20 minutes

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

  • Listen to a read aloud to reinforce understanding of English sentence structure, syntax, and grammar
  • Spell, define, and give an example of fairness
  • Compose sentences that demonstrate comprehension of the word fairness 
  • Demonstrate understanding of standard English sentence structure and grammar in writing and speaking 
  • Practice reading and conversation skills by sharing sentences with classmates

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

VOCABULARY:

  • Fairness: I treat everyone the same. If someone has been left out, I bring them in.

ELA COMMON CORE STANDARDS MET

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.1.1

Demonstrate understanding of the organization and basic features of print.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.1.1.A

Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., first word, capitalization, ending punctuation).

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.1.2

Demonstrate understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds (phonemes).

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.1.3

Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.1.4

Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.1

Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.10

With prompting and support, read prose and poetry of appropriate complexity for grade 1.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.1

Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.2

Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.1

Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about kindergarten topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.1.A

Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., listening to others and taking turns speaking about the topics and texts under discussion).

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.2

Ask and answer questions about key details in a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.6

Produce complete sentences when appropriate to task and situation

CHARACTER AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL (CSED) NATIONAL STANDARDS MET

Civic Character A

Know, understand, and practice the character strengths of fairness, respect, volunteering and contributing to the common good

Civic Character A1

Understand why it is important to share, take turns, and follow rules (of a game, at home or school)

Civic Character A2

Explain why it is important for everyone to be respectful, courteous and polite

Civic Character B

Apply and demonstrate the character strengths of fairness, respect, volunteering and contributing to the common good

Civic Character B1

Demonstrate the ability to share, take turns and follow rules (of a game, at home or school)

Civic Character B2

Demonstrate the ability to be respectful, courteous and polite

Self-Awareness A1

Identify and name different emotions (e.g., positive emotions, negative emotions, intense emotions)

Self-Awareness A2

Identify personal strengths (e.g., honesty, curiosity, listening)

Self-Management A3

Explain the different ways people respond to problems and challenges (e.g., ask for help, try harder, learn from mistakes)

Social-Awareness A3

Demonstrate the ability to listen carefully and intentionally to others

Social-Awareness A6

Be able to tell stories and listen to stories told by others

Interpersonal/ Relationship Skills 1

Initiate and engage in conversation and social interactions with classmates, peers, and adults

Interpersonal/ Relationship Skills 4

Identify and practice appropriate behaviors to maintain positive relationships (e.g., sharing, helping, saying something nice)

Interpersonal/ Relationship Skills 5

Recognize and practice the skills to prevent, manage, and constructively resolve interpersonal conflicts (e.g., cool off, affirm, forgive, thank)

Interpersonal/ Relationship Skills 7

Play games and appropriately participate in small group classroom activities

Responsible and Ethical Decision-Making 1

Describe a rule or principle that everyone should strive to live by (e.g., be kind, be honest, try your best)

LESSON PROCEDURE

Today we will learn about fairness. 

  1. Write fairness on the board. 
  2. Tell students that fairness means that we treat everyone the same. If someone has been left out, we bring them in.
  3. Ask students to spell fairness on their worksheets.
  4. Let’s do an activity to learn fairness. Have all students wash their hands. Divide students into groups of three. Give each group 15 pieces of candy. Tell them to count the candy and divide it fairly. 
  5. Ask students how they decided what was fair.
  6. Read the book Justin Keeps It Fair by Kristin Johnson or play the video Read aloud of Justin Keeps It Fair by C & S Learning Facilitators (~4 min)
  7. Ask students some of the things the book says about fairness.

Let’s work on some writing about fairness.

  1. Ask students to write one sentence on their worksheet that explains how the characters in the book showed the meaning of fairness.
  2. Ask students to write one sentence on their worksheet that explains a time they showed fairness.
  3. Ask students to read their sentences to a partner.

EXTENSION ACTIVITIES - SUGGESTIONS

  • Talk with your students about times that you have seen examples of people demonstrating fairness. You could give examples of family, friends, and/or historical or current public figures.
  • Talk with your students about times in your life that you have demonstrated fairness, despite hardships.

GRADE 1 UNIT 7 WORKSHEET 1: LEARNING FAIRNESS FROM LITERATURE

Fairness: I treat everyone the same. If someone has been left out, I bring them in.

Write the word fairness: 

_________________________________________________________________________

ACTIVITY: 

Write 1 sentence that explains how the book Justin Keeps It Fair showed what fairness means:

Write 1 sentence that explains a time when you showed fairness:

Prohuman K-12 Curriculum © 2025 by Prohuman Foundation is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0.
To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

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