Idaho Social Studies 1.SS.3.2

Social Studies1st GradeEconomics

The Standard

Distinguish between wants and needs and provide examples of each.

Idaho Content Standards: K-12 Social Studies

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students tell the difference between things people need to stay safe and healthy and things they would like to have. They give examples of each and explain their choices.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can identify water as a need and a toy car as a want. They can explain why a warm coat is a need on a snowy day.
Common Misconceptions: Students may call something a need just because they want it badly. They may also think every food is a need, even when the choice is between a meal and a treat.
How to Assess It: Ask students to draw one thing they need and one thing they want. Have them label each picture and tell you why it belongs there.

Lesson moves

Give pairs picture cards showing water, a winter coat, a toy car, and a balloon to sort into need and want piles.
Ask, 'Is a winter coat a need on a snowy day? Is a toy car?' Have partners explain their answers.
Show pictures of a toothbrush, bicycle, and ice cream; have students hold up N or W cards and explain one choice.
Give students a grocery flyer and ask them to circle food for a meal and a treat they would like.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 1.SS.3.2, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

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