NY Social Studies 1.9a
The Standard
Scarcity means that people’s wants exceed their limited resources.
New York State K–12 Social Studies Framework
Key Idea 1.9
People have many economic wants and needs, but limited resources with which to obtain them.
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students spot situations where there are fewer goods, less time, or less money than people want. They name the limited resource and explain what choice must be made.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Given a picture or story, students compare how much is available with how much people want. They explain why not everyone can get everything and suggest a reasonable choice.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think scarcity means there is nothing available, rather than not enough for every want. They may also confuse wants with needs or assume more money and goods are always available.
How to Assess It
- Show five children who each want one whole apple now, but only three apples. Ask, "What is limited, and what choice could the group make?"
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give six students three glue sticks, then ask them to count requests, name the limited resource, and choose a fair sharing plan.
Ask, "If our class wants ten new books but can buy four, what must we decide?" and have students draw their answer.
Play Token Shop: each student gets three tokens and chooses among picture cards costing one to three tokens.
Check the lunch menu and discuss how limited money or ingredients can keep a family from choosing every wanted meal.
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Printable 1.9a Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 1.9a, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
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