What isn’t Fair

Fair isn’t always
Getting your way
Sometimes it means
The price that you pay

Fair isn’t always
Being on top
Sometimes it means
The winning must stop

Fair isn’t always
Having the final word
Sometimes it means
Someone else must be heard

Fair isn’t always
So easy to see
Sometimes it means
Some other one’s glee

Fair isn’t always
Winning the game
Sometimes it means
Someone else’s fame

Fair isn’t always
Gaining the best price
Sometimes it means
Paying for it twice

Fair isn’t always
That the sun’s always out
Sometimes it means
It’s all rainy out

Fair isn’t always
Getting Best in Show
Sometimes it means
Hearing the word "No"


Ken Goree

This is another poem inspired by one of my little second grade students.  A few days ago we were playing a "Quiz Show" game to practice the concepts for the a math unit we were finishing up (Measurement).  In this game, the questions are projected up on a large screen for all the class to see.  One student, who has volunteered, reads the question while I watch to see which team gets a hand in the air first.  The class really enjoyed it, and the kids who struggle really seemed engage.

About half-way through the game, as it was becoming clear which team was pulling ahead of the others, one little girl stood up and walked in front of everyone on her way to me.  I was surprised that she hadn't shown any consideration of the class (walking in between them and the new question that had come up on the screen).  I finished the question, having to lean around her to see who put their hand up first.  It was difficult to finish the question as she kept trying to talk over me and the kid who was trying to answer.  After finishing the question I said, "Yes, what is it?"  I figured she had to go to the bathroom and had forgotten the silent hand signal.

"Their team is making me feel bad."

"Really?"  I said, surprised, as I hadn't seen anyone in the other group behaviong inappropriately.  "Did some one make fun of your team for missing a question?  Or 'boo' when your team got a question right?  I'll keep and eye out and what for them."

"No, they didn't"

"I guess I'm missing something.  What is wrong then?"

"They're happy and cheering when they get one right."

"Oh, Sweetie, they are doing it appropriately.  That's being a good teammate.  If you want to show 'Super-sportsmanship,' you could be happy for them and say something like, 'Good one!' when they get one right."

"I don't want to do that.  They aren't fair."

?????

"Sweetie, go sit down.  It isn't fair that we have stopped the game and 26 kids are having to sit and not learn while we talk."