Fair Fits Presentation Slides
🌟 3rd Grade Community 20-Minute Lesson
Tools to Learn!
Fair Isn't Always Equal
Why different brains need different tools so that everyone can do their best learning!
👟
1. Silly Story
The Shoe Mix-Up (5m)
💬
2. Partner Chat
Same vs. Fair (8m)
✏️
3. My Best Fit
Draw & Pledge (7m)
Part 1: The Great Running Shoe Mix-Up Listen Closely!
What Happens When Everyone Gets the Same?
👟
The Gift
Coach Ray gives brand-new running shoes to all 25 kids in our class.
"Yay! New shoes!"
📏
The "Same" Rule
Coach says: "To be fair, everyone gets the exact same size: Size 4!"
Identical for all!
🤕
Recess Race!
Maya wears size 6 (squished toes!). Sam wears size 2 (trips!). Only Mia can run.
Ouch! It doesn't work!
Did everyone get the exact same thing? Yes! But was it FAIR?
NO WAY!
Big Idea: Two Super Important Words Learn the Difference
EQUAL vs. FAIR
EQUAL The SAME
Everyone gets the exact same thing.
👟 Everyone gets Size 4 sneakers.
🩹 Everyone gets a finger band-aid for any hurt.
👓 Everyone must wear reading glasses.
Result: Only helps the people who fit it!
FAIR What You NEED
Everyone gets what they need to succeed.
👟 Everyone gets sneakers that fit their feet.
🩹 You get what helps your actual hurt.
👓 Only the people who need glasses wear them.
Result: Every 3rd grader gets to shine!
"Fair does NOT mean equal. Fair means everyone gets what they need!"
Tools Are Not Toys! Inside Our Room
Different Brains Need Different Tools
If a classmate has a tool you don't have, it is their running shoe!
🎧
Quiet Headphones
Quiets room sounds so busy brains can concentrate on reading.
🪑
Wiggle Cushions & Standing
Helps energetic bodies move safely so their brain stays awake and ready.
🎲
Math Blocks & Counters
Helps learners see numbers and touch math problems to solve them.
⏳
Extra Time & Checklists
Lets thoughtful thinkers finish their work without feeling rushed.
What 3rd Graders Say: "I'm glad my friend has the tool that fits them!"
Part 2: Partner Chat (8 Minutes) Turn & Talk
Class Question
"If your classmate gets a different tool or seat than you, why is that fair?"
1. Think (30s)
Picture Coach Ray's shoe store. What shoe do you want?
2. Turn & Talk (3m)
Tell your elbow partner: "It is fair because..."
3. Share (4m)
Raise a quiet hand to share your idea with the class.
🗣️ Sentence Starter:
"It's fair for everyone to have different tools because..."
Part 3: Quick Reflection (7 Minutes) On Your Paper
Your Turn: What Helps You Learn?
Get your pencil and reflection sheet ready. Work quietly like a 3rd grade scholar!
🎨 1. Pick or Draw Your Tool
Check off what helps you focus—or draw your favorite learning tool in the box!
🤝 2. Sign Our Class Pledge
Finish the sentence and sign your name like a real author and team player.
"Fairness is giving every 3rd grader what they need to succeed!"
Fair Fits Reflection Worksheet
🌟 3rd Grade Classroom Family
Fair Isn't Always Equal!
Fair means giving each person what they need to learn and grow.
Name:
Date:
1 The Shoe Mix-Up: Same vs. Fair
Word Bank: SAME • NEED
A. When Coach Ray gave everyone Size 4 shoes, it was EQUAL because everyone got the exact thing.
B. Giving everyone sneakers that fit their feet is FAIR because everyone gets what they to run!
2 What Helps YOUR Brain?
Check 2 or 3 tools
Every brain learns differently. Put a checkmark next to the things that help you focus best:
🎧 Quiet headphones during reading time
🪑 Wiggle cushion or standing up to work
🔢 Math cubes, counters, or number lines
📋 A checklist to cross off my finished steps
⏳ Extra time to think without feeling rushed
🗣️ Talking out ideas with a partner first
3 Draw or Write: My Best Learning Tool
Be creative!
Draw your favorite learning helper (headphones, comfy chair, book strip, pencil grip) or write a sentence about it:
4
Our 3rd Grade Class Promise
"When I see a classmate use a tool or get help that I don't have, I will remember that tools are for learning, not toys! I am happy they have what they need."
My 3rd Grader Promise (Signature):
✨ We all fit!
Equity Talk Facilitator Guide
Grade 3 Lesson Guide • 20 Minutes
Fair Isn't Always Equal: 3rd Grade Guide
Goal: Help 8–9 year olds understand that getting different learning tools isn't "unfair favoritism"—it's getting what each brain needs.
Quick-Launch Plan
1
Min 0–5: Shoe Story Hook
→
2
Min 5–13: Turn & Talk Chat
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3
Min 13–18: Draw & Reflect
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4
Min 18–20: Class Promise
👟 Step 1: Hook Script (Coach Ray's Sneakers — 5 Mins)
Project Slides 1–3
Say: "Imagine Coach Ray lined us up and said: 'I have brand-new running sneakers for everyone! And to be completely equal, every single student gets a Size 4!' What would happen? Raise a quiet hand if your feet are bigger than Size 4! (Pause). Your toes would be crushed! Raise your hand if your feet are smaller. You'd trip over clown shoes!"
Check for Understanding (Choral): "Did everyone get the exact SAME thing? (Students: 'YES!') Was it FAIR? (Students: 'NO!') That's because EQUAL means the same thing, but FAIR means giving everyone what they NEED to run!"
💬 Step 2: Turn-and-Talk Discussion (8 Mins)
Project Slides 4–5
Discussion Prompt & Structure:
"If your elbow partner gets headphones, a wiggle cushion, or extra time to finish math, why is that fair?"
• 30s silent think → 2m knee-to-knee pair chat → 5m whole-class shares.
3rd-Grade Talk Prompts to Use:
- "Who can explain why tools are NOT toys?"
- "If you had to wear glasses to read, should everyone wear glasses too?"
- "How does helping one classmate help our whole team?"
🛡️ Handling 3rd Grade Pushback ("That's Not Fair!")
"Why does Alex get the wiggle stool?"
Say: "Alex's body needs movement to focus. You have the seat that powers your learning. We celebrate everyone having the tool that fits them."
"Why can't I use the math counters too?"
Say: "Math counters are learning tools, not play blocks. When you need them to solve a problem, they are ready for you too!"
✏️ Step 3 & 4: Reflection & Class Call-and-Response (7 Mins)
Distribute Worksheet
Worksheet Walkthrough (5m):
Students fill in the word bank (SAME / NEED), check 2-3 tools, and draw their favorite learning helper. Encourage them to be proud of their learning style!
