Needs and Wants Guide Needs and Wants Guide
Lesson 1: Foundations of Economic Choice
Teacher Instructional Resource
Learning Objective
Students will be able to distinguish between needs (survival essentials) and wants (things we enjoy but don't need to live) using pictorial examples.
Key Vocabulary
Needs: Things we MUST have to stay alive (food, water, shelter, clothing).Wants: Things that are nice to have, but we can live without (toys, candy, games).
The Hook
Bring a Mystery Bag to the front of the class containing:
An apple (Need - Food)
A small toy car (Want - Fun)
"If we were stranded on an island, which one would help our bodies stay healthy and strong? Why?"
Instructional Steps
1
Introduction (5-10 mins)
Display the "Need or Want Slides". Define Needs first. Explain that our bodies need food, water, air, and shelter to be safe and healthy. Then define Wants as things that make us happy but aren't required for life.
2
Guided Practice: Class Sort (10-15 mins)
Use the interactive slides to "thumbs up" for a Need and "thumbs down" for a Want as images appear (pizza vs. water, teddy bear vs. warm coat).
3
Student Activity (15 mins)
Hand out the Survival Sorting Worksheet . Students will cut and paste (or draw) items into the correct boxes. Circulate and ask: "Could you survive without this?"
Check for Understanding
Question:
"Is a pet a need or a want?"
Answer: A want (we love them, but we can live without them, unlike water!).
Question:
"What if the weather is very cold? Is a coat a need or a want?"
Answer: A need (to keep our body safe/sheltered from the cold).
Need or Want Slides Need or Want?
Making Wise Choices
What is a Need?
Needs are things we MUST have to stay alive and healthy.
Safety Health Life
FOOD
WATER
SHELTER
CLOTHES
What is a Want?
TOYS
CANDY
GAMES
FUN
Wants are things that make us HAPPY, but we can live without them.
Fun Joy Choice
GAME TIME!
When you see a picture, give a...
FOR A NEED
FOR A WANT
Round 1
WATER
Is it a Need or a Want?
Round 2
BICYCLE
Is it a Need or a Want?
Survival Sorting Worksheet Survival Sorting
Economic Choice: Needs vs. Wants
Name:
Date:
Instructions: Look at the items at the bottom. Decide if each one is a Need (to stay alive) or a Want (for fun). Draw it in the correct box!
Needs
SURVIVAL
Wants
JUST FOR FUN
Item Bank
Water
Video Game
Food
Toy Crown
Shelter
Ice Cream
Think: Which one is most important to you?
Scarcity Simulation Guide Scarcity Simulation Guide
Lesson 2: Experiencing Limited Resources
Teacher Instructional Resource
Learning Objective
Students will define scarcity as "not enough of something" and describe how it feels when they cannot have what they need or want right away.
Key Vocabulary
Scarcity:
"When we want more of something than there is available. It means there isn't enough for everyone at the same time."
Activity Prep
You will need:
Plain paper for every student
ONLY 2-3 blue crayons for the whole classONLY 1 glue stick per table group
Purpose: Intentionally create scarcity to prompt emotional and problem-solving responses.
Instructional Steps
1
The Hook (5 mins)
"Today we are all going to draw a beautiful ocean! Everyone needs a blue crayon. Oh no... I checked my box and I only found TWO blue crayons for our whole class! What should we do?"
2
The Simulation (10-15 mins)
Start the activity. Let students attempt to share. Observe: Who gets frustrated? Who suggests a timer? Who waits patiently? Use "Just One Blue Crayon Slides" to facilitate the discussion mid-activity.
3
Reflective Discussion (10 mins)
Gather students. Introduce the word Scarcity . Explain that in the real world, we can't always have everything we want right now because there isn't enough of it (like the crayons).
Discussion Prompts
"How did it feel to wait for the blue crayon?"
"Why couldn't everyone draw at the same time?"
"What is another example of scarcity? (e.g., only one swing on the playground)"
Teacher Tip
This lesson is a great bridge to Social-Emotional Learning (SEL). Use this opportunity to talk about patience, turn-taking, and compromise as economic solutions to scarcity!
Just One Blue Crayon Slides Scarcity
When there isn't enough!
The Blue Crayon Problem
We want to draw the ocean.
We have 20 students...
WHAT DO WE DO?
New Word Alert!
SCARCITY
Scarcity means there is NOT ENOUGH of something for everyone who wants it at the same time.
Where else is there Scarcity?
The Swings at Recess
The Last Cookie in the Jar
Your Favorite Library Book
How do we solve it?
WAITING
Taking Turns
SHARING
Working Together
Scarcity Solution Worksheet Scarcity Solution
When we don't have enough!
Name:
The Problem
We were drawing a big ocean, but there were NOT ENOUGH blue crayons for everyone. This is called SCARCITY .
How did it feel?
FRUSTRATED
WAITING
SHARING
The Solution
DRAW YOUR SOLUTION HERE
"Scarcity means there isn't enough for everyone at the same time."
Trade-offs Teacher Guide Trade-offs Teacher Guide
Lesson 3: Making Hard Choices
Teacher Instructional Resource
Learning Objective
Students will understand that every choice has a cost —when we choose one thing, we must give up another.
Key Vocabulary
Trade-off: Choosing between two things when you can't have both.Opportunity Cost: The item you didn't choose—the "thing you gave up."
Active Game
"This or That" Choice Line
Clear a space in the room. Designate the left side for Choice A and the right side for Choice B.
Instructional Steps
1
The Hook (5 mins)
"Imagine you are going on a trip. You can only bring ONE toy. Do you bring your ball or your bear? You can't have both!"
2
Active Game: Choice Line (15 mins)
Use "Tough Choices Slides". Show two images. Students move to the side they choose.
The Key Question: "What did you give up?"
Example: "I chose the apple. My opportunity cost was the orange."
3
Application (10 mins)
Students complete the "This or That Decision Sheet". They circle their choice and draw an 'X' over the item they gave up.
Teacher Tip: Keep it Concrete
Kindergarteners struggle with abstract "costs." Always refer to the unchosen item as the "The Thing You Left Behind." This makes the concept of opportunity cost physical and easy to understand.
Tough Choices Slides Tough Choices
One thing stays. One thing goes.
How to Play:
1. Look at the two items.
2. Walk to the side of the one you choose.
3. You CANNOT choose both!
Move your body!
ICE CREAM
APPLE
OR
BICYCLE
TEDDY BEAR
OR
What did you give up?
The item you didn't choose is your...
Opportunity Cost
"I chose the ice cream. My opportunity cost was the apple."
This or That Decision Sheet This or That?
Making Hard Choices
Name:
Circle the one you want.
Cookie
OR
Cupcake
Painting
OR
Blocks
The Big Reflection:
Which choice was the hardest? Draw it below!
"The item you didn't choose is called your Opportunity Cost."
Goods and Services Guide Goods and Services Guide
Lesson 4: Community and Economy
Teacher Instructional Resource
Learning Objective
Students will identify goods as physical items and services as actions performed by others in the community.
Key Vocabulary
Goods: Things you can touch and hold (pizza, book, toy).
Services: Things people DO for you (haircut, car repair, teaching).
The Hook
"When you go to the barber shop, do you buy a box with a haircut inside that you take home in a bag?"
No! You pay for the barber's skill—that's a service!
Instructional Steps
1
Direct Instruction (10 mins)
Use "Things and Helpers Slides". Explain the difference using the "Touch Test". If you can hold it in your hand, it's a good. If it's something a helper does, it's a service.
2
Sorting Game (15 mins)
Show pictures of community helpers. Ask: "Does a baker provide a good or a service?" (Answer: Both! The baking is the service, the bread is the good).
3
Student Activity (15 mins)
Hand out the "Goods and Services Hunt". Students will look around the classroom or think of the community to find examples of each.
Community Connections
Service Examples:
Doctor helping you feel better
Trash collector taking away garbage
Mail carrier delivering letters
Goods Examples:
Shoes from a shoe store
Apples from a grocery store
A pencil from the school store
Things and Helpers Slides Things & Helpers
Goods and Services
Goods
Goods are things you can TOUCH and hold in your hand.
Books
Pizza
Shirts
Toys
Services
Haircut
Bus Ride
Doctor
Teaching
Services are things people DO for you to help.
THE TOUCH TEST
Can you put it in a bag?
YES = GOOD
NO = SERVICE
Goods and Services Hunt Worksheet Community Hunt
Goods and Services all around us!
Name:
Goods
Things you can touch.
Services
Things people do.
At the Store
Draw a Good you can buy:
Draw a Service (a worker):
At School
Draw a Good you use:
Draw a Service at school:
"Goods are things. Services are help!"
Market Simulation Guide Market Simulation Guide
Lesson 5: Putting it All Together
Teacher Instructional Resource
Learning Objective
Students will apply their knowledge of needs, wants, and scarcity to make spending decisions with limited "currency" in a classroom simulation.
Key Vocabulary
Budget: The amount of money you have to spend. In this game, every student gets 5 Kinder-Coins.
The Mini-Market
Set up 3-4 stations with items/prices:
Stickers (Want) 2 Coins
Small Pencil (Need) 1 Coin
Small Eraser (Need) 1 Coin
Fancy Toy (Want) 4 Coins
Reading Corner (Service) 2 Coins
Simulation Steps
1
Introduction & Budget (10 mins)
Display "Mini Market Slides". Give each student 5 paper "Kinder-Coins". Explain that they cannot buy everything. They must decide what they need first, then choose their wants .
2
The Market (20 mins)
Students walk to stations. They can "buy" items by drawing them on their "Shopping Trip Worksheet" and crossing off coins. Monitor for students who run out of coins early!
3
Debrief & Reflection (10 mins)
Ask: "What was your opportunity cost? What did you want but couldn't afford?" discuss the trade-offs made.
The Big Link
This lesson ties together Needs/Wants (prioritization), Scarcity (limited coins), and Trade-offs (what was given up).
"In the real world, we make choices because we can't have it all!"
Mini Market Slides Mini-Market
Decision Day!
Your Kinder-Wallet
You have a limit!
5 COINS
Market Goods
Pencil
1
Sticker
2
Small Toy
3
Fancy Crown
4
Market Services
Reading Time
2
Choose a Song
2
Wait! Think!
You can't buy everything.
1. Buy what you NEED first.
Shopping Trip Worksheet My Shopping Trip
Market Choice Simulation
Name:
My Kinder-Coins (5 Total)
1
2
3
4
5
Cross off a coin every time you spend it!
My Shopping Bag
Item 1
Item 2
The Hard Choice
What was SCARCE for you? What did you have to leave behind?
Draw your Opportunity Cost here
"Every choice has a cost. Thank you for shopping!"
