Needs and Wants
Objective:
Students will identify the difference between wants (e.g., skateboard, video games) and needs (e.g., food, clothing, and shelter) and the relationship to consumer decisions.
Kentucky Academic Standards
Financial Literacy F.P.3
Social Studies K.E.IC.1
Science - K-LS1-1
Materials
Needs or Wants? Google Classroom Activity
NOTE: To manipulate the Google Drive file, you must save a copy to your Google Drive/Classroom.
OR
Needs or Wants? Cards - You may also purchase a set here
Vocabulary
Good - An object or thing that is useful or has value. The object can be found in nature or made.
Need - A good or resource we need to live, such as food, water, air, shelter, and clothing.
Want - A good we like or would like to have, but do not need to live.
Lesson Information
Have students look at the pictures and ask them, “which of these things do we need to live?” Let students take turns answering and explaining why it is something we need. If students pick things that are needed for life, you may ask, “which of these things do we need to survive?”
Air - Water - Sunlight - without these things, life would not exist. Trees and other plants make the air (oxygen) that we need to breathe.
Humans and other animals also need food to eat for fuel. Food can come from plants or animals. Many plants need soil to grow.
See the Natural Resources Up Close books:
Humans also need clothing, in most situations, to protect their skin from sharp objects and biting insects. Clothes also help humans warm or cool their bodies if the weather is not comfortable. Many societies also require people to wear clothing.
Be mindful that some students may come from homes that have difficulties meeting their needs.
Next ask, “what things make life better or more fun?” Do we need these things? If not, they are WANTS. Students may be able to make some great arguments whether or not a good is a need or a want.
Digging Deeper for Older Students:
Science: 3-LS4-3
Have students place the pictures in order of most important to least important and then ask which items they would spend their money on first.
ASK - “Which of these things are free or should be provided for free?” Air and sun are free. Water can be free, but is quality a factor? Someone makes the water safe to drink. It takes work and ownership of land to provide resources. Should food be provided to all people? Who will do the work and pay for resources?
ASK “Does access to needs depend on where you live?” People populate places that have enough resources. Name a place that does not have enough soil and water resources. (Desert)