Idaho Social Studies K.SS.3.1

Social StudiesKindergartenEconomics

The Standard

Distinguish between wants and needs.

Idaho Content Standards: K-12 Social Studies

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students sort everyday items into things people need to stay safe and healthy and things they would like to have. They give a simple reason for each choice.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student sorts water and a home as needs and a toy car as a want. They explain why each item belongs in its group.
Common Misconceptions: Students may call a favorite toy a need because they want it badly. They may call a candy bar a need just because it is food.
How to Assess It: Draw a cup of water, a home, and a toy car. Ask students to circle the needs and tell you why the toy car is a want.

Lesson moves

Give pairs picture cards of water, a home, a toy car, and stickers to sort into need and want piles.
Ask, 'On a hot day, would you choose water or a toy if you could take only one? Why?'
Play a corner game: show a picture of bread, water, a ball, or candy, and have students move to the need or want corner.
Give students a grocery flyer and ask them to circle food for a meal, then mark a treat they would like.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to K.SS.3.1, 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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