Three Scenarios, No Right Answer Yet
Three situations where "fair" might not mean "equal." Students write down what they think is fair — and why — before any framework is introduced.
For each situation below, write down what you think a fair solution would be — and why. There are no wrong answers here. We just want to know what you actually think.
Scenario 1: The Pizza Bill
You and your friend order a pizza together. You put in $12; they put in $8. When the pizza arrives, it has 10 slices.
- 1.How many slices should each person get?
- 2.Does the split change if you're both equally hungry?
- 3.Does it change if one of you paid more because they have more money, not because they wanted more pizza?
Scenario 2: The Class Prize
Your class wins a pizza party for reading the most books in the school. Some kids read 10 books this month. Some read 2. There are 30 students total and 60 slices of pizza.
- 1.Should everyone get the same number of slices?
- 2.Should the kids who read more get more pizza?
- 3.What if some students couldn't read as many books because they were sick?
Scenario 3: The Grocery Run
Your family asks you and your little sibling to help carry groceries from the car. You're bigger and stronger, so you carry 8 bags. Your sibling carries 2. As a thank-you, each of you gets one scoop of ice cream.
- 1.Is one scoop each fair?
- 2.Would you feel differently if you were the younger sibling?
Try to finish this sentence: "I think fair means…"