Meaning and Importance of Equality and Fairness for Pre-School Level 4

Class: Pre-School Level 4
Term: First Term
Week: 7
Age: 5 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Social Habits
Curriculum Theme: Social Habits
Previous Lesson: Meaning and Effects of Stigmatization
Topic: Meaning and Importance of Equality and Fairness
Subject Matter: Equality and Fairness – Meaning of fairness and equality – Importance of fairness and equality.

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Define equality simply as treating everyone the same.
• Define fairness simply as being just and not taking sides.
• State one importance of equality and fairness.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the value of treating classmates equally.
• Show willingness to be fair in classroom activities.

Psychomotor Domain

• Demonstrate sharing objects equally among classmates.
• Take turns during play or activities.

Social Domain

• Interact with classmates in a fair and equal manner.
• Participate in group activities by sharing and taking turns.

Reference Materials

• NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 4
• Early Childhood Care and Education resources
• Suitable early-years social habits workbook

Instructional Materials

• Charts showing children sharing and taking turns
• Posters depicting equal distribution of items
• Video clips on fairness and sharing
• Storybook about sharing and friendship
• A basket of small toys or blocks for demonstration
• Snacks (e.g., biscuits, groundnuts) for a sharing activity

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important for 5-year-olds as it introduces fundamental social concepts that promote positive interactions and a harmonious classroom environment. Understanding equality and fairness helps children develop empathy, resolve conflicts peacefully, and build strong friendships, preparing them for social success in school and beyond.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have basic knowledge of interacting with peers, playing together, and understanding simple rules in the classroom.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Meaning and Importance of Equality and Fairness

What is Equality?

Equality means treating everyone the same way. It means giving everyone the same chance or the same amount of something.

• Example: If we have 4 biscuits for 4 children, everyone gets 1 biscuit.
• Example: Everyone gets a turn to answer a question.

What is Fairness?

Fairness means being just and honest. It means not taking sides or cheating. It means everyone gets what they deserve or what is right.

• Example: When playing a game, everyone follows the same rules.
• Example: Taking turns with a toy so everyone gets a chance.

Importance of Equality and Fairness

When we are equal and fair:

• Everyone feels happy and included.
• Friends play together without fighting.
• Our classroom is a peaceful and fun place.
• It helps us make good friends.

Key Words

• Equality – Treating everyone the same.
• Fairness – Being just and not taking sides.
• Share – Giving part of what you have to others.
• Turn – Each person gets a chance.

What the Teacher Should Show or Draw

The teacher should show pictures of children sharing toys equally, taking turns on a swing, or receiving the same number of items. The teacher can also draw a simple picture of two children with two identical items each, showing equality.

Sharing and Caring Rhyme

Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”

Lyrics:
Sharing, sharing, yes it’s true,
I will share with all of you.
Taking turns is fair and kind,
Happy friends are what we find.
Equality, fairness too,
Makes our classroom good for you!

Actions: Pupils can pretend to share an object, point to friends, and clap hands while singing.

How to use the rhyme: Sing the rhyme together after explaining the meanings of equality and fairness to reinforce the concepts in a fun, memorable way. Repeat several times.

Watch and Practise

The teacher will show a short video clip that demonstrates children sharing and taking turns fairly. This helps pupils visualise the concepts.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Play-based Learning, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Songs and Rhymes, Storytelling, Picture Talk, Question and Answer, Role-play, Imitation, Manipulation of Objects, Practical Activity.

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engagement/Recall

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils, sings a welcome song, and asks pupils about times they have shared toys or snacks with friends. “Who likes to share? Why do we share?”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings, sing along, and share their experiences about sharing.

Learning Point: Pupils recall prior experiences with sharing and social interaction.

Step 2: Explanation of Equality

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains “equality” simply, using real objects (e.g., blocks, pencils). The teacher distributes the items equally among a small group of pupils, demonstrating “everyone gets the same.” The teacher shows pictures of equal distribution.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the demonstration and identify that everyone received the same amount. They repeat “equality” after the teacher.

Learning Point: Pupils understand that equality means treating everyone the same and giving equal amounts/chances.

Step 3: Explanation of Fairness

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Storytelling

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains “fairness” using a simple story or scenario, like two friends wanting to play with one toy, and how they decide who goes first. The teacher emphasizes taking turns and following rules. The teacher shows pictures of fair play.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the story, discuss who was fair, and repeat “fairness” after the teacher. They identify fair actions in pictures.

Learning Point: Pupils understand that fairness means being just, taking turns, and following rules.

Step 4: Importance of Equality and Fairness

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Discussion/Questioning

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks pupils, “What happens when someone is not fair?” and “How do you feel when someone shares with you?” The teacher guides them to understand that equality and fairness make people happy and prevent fighting.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils share their feelings and ideas, contributing to the discussion about why equality and fairness are important.

Learning Point: Pupils appreciate the positive outcomes of being equal and fair.

Step 5: Rhyme and Video Reinforcement

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Musical/Visual Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads the pupils in singing the “Sharing and Caring Rhyme” with actions. Afterwards, the teacher shows a short, age-appropriate video clip demonstrating fairness and sharing among children.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing the rhyme with actions and watch the video, identifying examples of equality and fairness.

Learning Point: Pupils reinforce their understanding through song and visual examples.

Step 6: Practical Demonstration and Role-play

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Role-play

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher sets up a simple scenario (e.g., sharing a small snack, taking turns with a hula hoop). The teacher demonstrates how to share equally and take turns fairly. Then, the teacher guides pupils to practice these actions in small groups.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the teacher’s demonstration and then participate in the practical activity, sharing items and taking turns with their peers.

Learning Point: Pupils actively demonstrate equality and fairness in a practical setting.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher checks pupils’ understanding through short questions and practical tasks.

1. “What does it mean to be equal?” (e.g., “everyone gets the same”)
2. “What does it mean to be fair?” (e.g., “taking turns, no cheating”)
3. “Show me how you would share these 6 crayons equally among 3 friends.”
4. “Why is it good to be fair and equal?”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond orally and demonstrate the required skill where appropriate.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 1 minute

Teaching Skill: Consolidation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises pupils for their participation and reminds them to always be fair and equal with their friends and family. The teacher sings a short closing song.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s praise and sing the closing song.

Learning Point: Pupils are encouraged to apply equality and fairness in their daily lives.

Lesson Keywords

• Equality – Treating everyone the same way.
• Fairness – Being just and not taking sides.
• Share – To give a part of something to others.
• Turn – A chance for each person to do something.

Differentiation

• Support: For pupils who struggle to grasp the concepts, the teacher will use more concrete examples, provide one-on-one guidance during sharing activities, and use hand-over-hand demonstration for equal distribution. Peer support can also be encouraged.
• Extension: For pupils who quickly understand, the teacher can ask them to identify situations in a picture where someone is *not* being fair or equal, and suggest how to make it fair. They can also lead a small group in a sharing activity.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Before the lesson, prepare your instructional materials: charts, posters, and any real objects (e.g., biscuits, small toys, pencils) you plan to use for demonstration. Ensure the video clip is pre-loaded and ready to play. The main idea children must understand is that treating everyone the same and being just makes everyone happy and promotes friendship. When explaining, use simple, everyday language and concrete examples that relate to their experiences at home or school. Demonstrate sharing and taking turns clearly and allow pupils ample opportunity for guided practice. Encourage shy pupils by inviting them to participate in small group activities first. Observe pupils during free play or snack time to see if they apply the concepts of fairness and equality. Observable actions that show understanding include sharing items equally without prompting, taking turns willingly, and articulating simple reasons why fairness is good.