What Exactly Does Fairness Mean ?
Grade Level: 7

Subject(s): English/Language Arts,  Social Studies, Technical Skills, Developmental Guidance, Health

Learner Outcomes:

• Students will be able to identify, explain, and give examples of Fairness.
• Students will be able to present a basic power point presentation.

Materials:Paper, pencil, pens, computer, chart paper, markers, tape, copies of Mediation Matters..

Technology Tools/Courseware:Microsoft office: Power Point, Word

Teacher Notes:

• Go over group/teamwork rules before separating into groups.
• Review the basics of power point

• Day 1    Define mediation.  Ask students what they know about mediation in court, school, at home.  Distribute the handouts.  Explain that mediation is a process to help two arguing people problem solve and decide on a solution to end the conflict.  Ask students to make observations about these steps and list on board or chart paper (i.e. good listening skills).  Mediation is a fair method of solving problems since mediators are not judges, they are assistants.  Talk about good listening skills and keeping an even tone of voice.
• Day 2    Divide into groups of 4.  Have the students pull out the handouts given yesterday and  write a peer mediation script based on a situation of conflict at school (rumors, gossip, etc.) following the steps.  They will later perform these for the class.
• Day 3   Finish mediation enactments.  Review "fair" via video or power point.
• Day 4   Review the experiences of the day before.  Students from the "caring" group will present their program.

Modifications:Students with learning needs can be paired with a 'buddy' who is more proficient in computer functions to assist in areas needed. Students with visual impairments will need alteration in computer displays( i.e.; larger fonts, etc. ).

Enrichment Activities:  Power Point including implementation of charts/graphs, additional sound waves, etc.  Throughout the unit, students will brainstorm, choose, and follow through with at least one service project to be completed at the school or in the community.

Evaluation/Assessment:Power Point Rubric completed by peers and teacher.

West Virginia Standards West Virginia State Department
Technology   7.163,  7.164,  7.165,  7.166,  7.167, 7.168, 7.169,  7.170, 7.171,  7.172 ,7.173
Language Arts     7.17, 7.65, 8.50, 9.66
Personal Growth PW.1, PW.2, PW.5, PW.8, PW.9,  PW.11, PW.12, PW.13,  PW.15, PW.16, PW.17, PW.18, PW.19, PW.20, PW.21,PW.22, PW.24, PW.25

National Standards

• Plays a variety of roles in group discussions
• Uses new information to adjust and extend personal knowledge base
• Knows the common features and uses of desktop publishing software (e.g., documents are created, designed, and formatted for publication; data, graphics, and scanned images can be imported into a document using desktop software)
• Uses advanced features and utilities of word processors (e.g., uses clip art, a spell-checker, grammar checker, thesaurus, and outliner).

• Principle #1:  Character education promotes core ethical values as the basis of good character
• Principle #2:  Character is comprehensively defined to include thinking, feeling, and behavior.
• Principle #3:  Effective character education requires an intentional, proactive, and comprehensive approach that   promotes the core values in all phases of school life.
• Principle #4:  The school is a caring community.
• Principle #5:  To develop character, the school provides students opportunities for moral action.
• Principle #6:  Effective character education includes a meaningful and challenging academic curriculum that respects all learners and helps them succeed.
• Principle #7:  Character Education should strive to develop students' intrinsic motivation for developing good character.
• Principle #8:  The school staff is a learning and moral community in which all share responsibility for character education and attempt to adhere to the same core values that guide the education of students.
• Principle #9:  Staff and students demonstrate moral leadership.
• Principle #10:  The school recruits parents and community members as full partners in the character-building effort.
• Principle #11:  Evaluation of character education assesses the character of the school, the school staff's functioning as character educators, and the extent to which students manifest good character.

References:   There are additional resources to these:
Microsoft Power Point Assistance
Teamwork/Group Assistance
CHARACTER COUNTS!  Resources
Character Education Partnership
teachwithmovies
Character Education Lesson Plans
Education World
National Coalition for Parent Involvement in Education
Free Sources for Teachers
 

Authors:
VeAnne Fuerhoff
Myla Kreinik
Alexandra Smith