Debate Plan Teacher Guide Debate Plan
Fairness vs. Justice Debate Jr.
30 Minutes
2nd Grade
Learning Objectives
• Define Fairness as everyone getting the same thing.
• Define Justice as everyone getting what they need to be successful.
• Formulate a reasoned argument for a specific scenario.
Pacing & Flow
Introduction (5 mins)
Show Slides . Use "Boxes" visual to show kids at a game. Fairness = 1 box each. Justice = boxes based on height.
The Opinion Line (10 mins)
Read scenarios from Worksheet . Students move to "Team Fairness" or "Team Justice" sides of the room.
Small Group Defense (10 mins)
Split into groups. Use Moderator Script prompts to prepare a 1-sentence defense using "because".
Closing & Sharing (5 mins)
Lead "Order in the Court!" mini-debate. Use Participation Rubric for assessment.
Teacher Talk: Key Concepts
Fairness (Equality)
"Everyone gets the exact same thing. Like giving everyone a size 8 shoe, even if their foot is small."
Justice (Equity)
"Everyone gets what they need to be successful. Like giving everyone a shoe that actually fits."
Fair vs Just Slides Fair vs. Just
The Great Classroom Debate
Order in the Court!
1
Fairness
Everyone gets the SAME thing.
• Everyone gets 1 box.
• Even if they don't need it.
🧒
👧
👶
"But wait... can the baby see?"
2
Justice
Everyone gets what they NEED.
• Different help for everyone.
• So everyone reaches the goal.
🧒
👧
👶
"Now everyone can see!"
Scenario #1
The Pizza Party
The class wins a pizza party!
Should everyone get 2 slices (Fair)?
Or should the hungriest kids get more (Just)?
Fair
Same amount
Just
What they need
Scenario #2
The Bike Race
A bike race is happening!
One kid doesn't know how to ride yet.
Should everyone use the same bike?
Or should one kid get training wheels ?
Fair
Same equipment
Just
What they need
Debate Rules
Listen
Hear every word.
Respect
Be a good friend.
Reason
Say "Because..."
Debate Moderator Script Teacher Guide Debate Moderator Script
The Honorable Teacher
Opening Statement
"Order in the classroom! We are deciding what is better: Fairness (everyone gets the same) or Justice (everyone gets what they need)."
"A good debater says 'This is better because ...' Let the debate begin!"
Scenario A: Bandages
"Sally fell and scraped her knee. Joey did not. Both get bandages?"
Prompt Team Fair:
"Why give both?"
Prompt Team Just:
"Why only Sally?"
Scenario B: Shelves
"Books are high. One kid is tall, one is short. Both get stools?"
Prompt Team Fair:
"Why give both?"
Prompt Team Just:
"Why only the short kid?"
Defense Sentence Starters
"I think we should choose _______ because _______."
"It is better to _______ so that _______."
Closing the Court
"Thank you, counsel! Sometimes we need Equality to keep things even, and sometimes we need Justice to help everyone reach the same goal. Court is adjourned!"
Opinion Line Worksheet The Opinion Line
Fairness vs. Justice
Name: ________________________
Circle the choice you agree with for each story!
1
The Reading Corner
One student is learning ABCs. Another reads big books.
Give both students the exact same picture book.
Give one student a picture book and the other a chapter book .
2
The Lunchroom
One student is full. Another student is very hungry.
Give everyone 1 apple for a snack.
Give the hungry student 2 apples and the full student half an apple .
My Reason
Why did you choose your favorite side?
Debate Participation Rubric Teacher Guide Debate Rubric
Junior Justice League
Student Name
Score
Skill 3 - Expert 2 - Learner 1 - Beginner
Reasoning
Uses "because"
| Clear reason given that fits. | Gives a simple reason. | No reason given. |
|
Listening
Eyes on speaker
| Listened to all friends. | Listened mostly. | Interrupted others. |
|
Vocab
Fair/Just
| Used lesson words correctly. | Used the lesson words. | Did not use lesson words. |
Teacher Observation Notes
Teacher Tip: The goal is practice, not perfection! Focus on students structuring a thought using "because" rather than finding the "perfect" solution.
