Who gets the 5 balls? A 5th grade scarcity and fairness debate
What it is: a 5th grade economics discussion where the class has more wants than resources: 5 playground balls for 25 students at recess. Groups test four ways to decide who gets them (first come, lottery, a rotating schedule, or paying with class dollars) and debate which is fairest. Every economy has to answer the same question about scarce goods.
Time: about 35 minutes. Grade: 5th grade.
Materials: 5 playground balls or picture cards of balls, a slip of paper with each student's name, a timer, class dollars, and chart paper with the four methods.
- Show the 5 balls and count the class. Ask: "Can everyone have one at recess?" Name the problem: scarcity.
- Try each method for 2 minutes with the name slips: first come (the first 5 hands up), lottery (draw 5 slips), schedule (5 names a day for 5 days), price (the 5 who offer the most class dollars).
- After each method, groups note: who got a ball? Who did not? Did anyone think it was unfair?
- Groups rank the methods from fairest to least fair and give one reason for their top pick.
- Hold a class vote. Point out that real economies use all of these: lines at a store, lotteries for tickets, schedules for shared spaces and prices in markets.
- Exit ticket: "The fairest way was ___ because ___. One problem with it is ___."
Differentiation: students who need support compare only two methods. Students who are ready invent a fifth method and test it. English learners can use the words fair, unfair, share and choose.
Quick check: ask a student to explain scarcity using the balls.
Which method did your class vote fairest? Tell us if the vote surprised you.
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About this resource
- Shared by
- @UpOnlyLearning · Curriculum team
- Posted
- Oct 30, 2026
- Type
- Lesson plan
- Grade
- Grades 3–5
- Subject
- Social studies
- Language
- English
- License
- Free for classroom, co-op and tutoring use. Please don't resell.