EconEdLink Council for Economic Education EconEdLink

Online Lesson

Student's Version

That's Not Fair! How Do We Share?

Introduction:

Think and talk with a neighbor about the answers to the following questions:
student
  • When was the last time you had to share something?
  • What did you have to share?
  • What was hard about sharing it?
  • Why did you have to share at all?

Task:

In this activity you will work with your classmates to think about what to do when there is not enough of certain goods to go around. You will try different ways of sharing or trading goods, and talk about what makes each way of sharing hard or easy.

Process:

Activity 1

In your group talk about the best way to share the materials the teacher has given you. Think about the following questions:

Clifford Coloring Sheet

  • How can you be sure that everyone gets what he or she wants?
  • What happens if there are not enough materials for everyone to be satisfied?
  • How can you work with your classmates to share or trade so that everyone can be satisfied?
After everyone has the necessary materials, click on the girl above for a surprise. Share your ideas with the class.
Activity 2  
Click on the crayons to do an activity with your group. While doing the activity think about the following questions.
  • How can you be sure that everyone gets what he or she wants?
  • What happens if there are not enough crayons for everyone to have the colors they want?
  • What ways can you work with your classmates to share or trade to see if everyone can get what they want?

crayon

Colorful Sharing Activity
 

Share your ideas with the class.

Conclusion:

Now by yourself think about the following questions:
teacher
  • What is good about sharing?
  • What do you not like about sharing?
  • Is there a fair way to share all the time?
  • How might you share differently in the future?