I'm sure you've all heard students say, "that't not fair!" when they see another students doing something or getting something different. What students don't always realize is that they don't need to be doing what that other student is doing. Everyone needs different things in order to learn or in order to behave well.
Here is my quote:
Now that I'm in kindergarten, I hear those three words all the time..."That's not fair!" I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiment in this quote, but I'm sure that my students don't fully grasp the concept yet. Sometimes I wonder when or where their understanding of "fairness" started - as every child seems to understand it in the exact same way: I get what they get. That's fair.
ReplyDeleteLove it. great reminder to hang in your classroom. I definitely hear kids saying "it's not fair" and I often reply that life isn't always fair! Kids are very egocentric and sometimes struggle with the fact that others may be "getting" something that they didn't get. There are times though that I've noticed children completely ignoring the fact that others are getting something they aren't. This happened more-so at my school last year where it was just understood and it didn't seem to affect them. Instilling this ideology in our students' brains is beneficial to their overall success!
ReplyDeleteAs I read this quote, I couldn't help but think of the daily chant of the kindergarten teachers- "You get what you get, and you don't get upset!". This quote rings true especially in the younger grades! However, it is critical that we remember this quote as we learn how to best differentiate our lessons in our own future classrooms. It should be our goal to help all students to experience success!
ReplyDeleteAs I read this quote, I couldn't help but think of the daily chant of the kindergarten teachers- "You get what you get, and you don't get upset!". This quote rings true especially in the younger grades! However, it is critical that we remember this quote as we learn how to best differentiate our lessons in our own future classrooms. It should be our goal to help all students to experience success!
ReplyDeleteI love this quote! During the first week of school I saw a teacher address this with her class. She went around the room with a stack of opened bandaids asking each student to pretend something "hurts" that might need a bandaid. As she asked students where she should put the bandaid, she responded by putting the bandaid in the same spot on everyone, their shoulder, ignoring their pretend ailment. She followed up this activity saying that if she responded the same way to each student to be "fair," everyone would not get what they need as an individual. Students were able to realize that being fair isn't always giving everyone the same thing.
ReplyDeleteAs most people have said, I am mostly reminded of the younger classrooms, especially kindergarten, when reading this quote. Students this young don't yet understand why the same thing can't work for every student, and how each student needs to recieve something different in order for them to be successful. I believe that all students will eventually have the same mindset and will understand the meaningfulness of this quote, but since young children are so egocentric, they don't understand or think of what others may need above themselves.
ReplyDeleteI love this quote and think it would be a great poster to have in a classroom to keep a reminder for the students who do say "That's not fair". I do feel as a substitute its challenging for myself being in an urban district, to see the students who follow directions and are respectful students get over shadowed by students who need many redirections and one on one attention. I have tired as a follow up to reach out to teachers and let them know about these students who were very helpful and have the teachers take action to whatever will work for them and their classroom. I know as being a classroom teacher it would be under my control and management to address these types of issues in my own future classroom
ReplyDeleteI really love this quote. You are so right too, students do not understand that "fair" and "equal" are not the same thing. Especially with students at all different levels, abilities, disabilities, and backgrounds differentiation is needed in all aspects of the school day. I feel that displaying and referencing to a quote like this will not only minimize the complaining but also help students to better understanding acceptance of differences.
ReplyDeleteI love the quote you chose to post. This is the first time I've seen this one. I hear students say things aren't fair all the time in school. I think this is a good quote to use when the opportunity arises to have this conversation with students so that they understand why some students may get to do different things. Differentiation is such a crucial part of teaching and learning so if students understand that not everyone learns the same way, it will prevent kids from saying, "that's not fair".
ReplyDeleteI love this quote and believe that it should be hung in every room in my internship because a number of the students constantly worry about what their other classmates are doing and not about enough about themselves and what they should be doing.
ReplyDeleteTalking to the students about this quote allows the students to understand that the term "fair" does not mean everyone gets the same thing, however it does mean that I as your teacher will do whatever I can to strive for success of each of my students, regardless of any accommodations or needs they may have. Just because it helps one student to be successful, it does not mean every student needs it as well.
This quote also reminds me of how important it is for teacher to know their students and be able to understand what helps each of their students to be their best and to strive for success.