NY Social Studies K.9a

Social StudiesKindergartenKey Idea K.9

The Standard

A need is something that a person must have for health and survival, while a want is something that a person would like to have.

New York State K–12 Social Studies Framework

Key Idea K.9

People have economic needs and wants. Goods and services can satisfy people’s wants. Scarcity is the condition of not being able to have all of the goods and services that a person wants or needs.

Teacher's field guide

What This Standard Means

What Students Need to Do: Students identify food, clothing, and shelter as basic needs. They sort familiar items into needs and wants and explain their choices.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student correctly labels common examples, such as a coat as a need and a toy as a want. The student explains that needs help people stay healthy and safe.
Common Misconceptions: Students may call anything they strongly like a need. They may also think every food, clothing item, or house feature is a need, including candy, costumes, or a swimming pool.
How to Assess It: Show pictures of water, a coat, a home, candy, and a toy. Ask students to sort them into needs and wants, then explain one choice.

Lesson moves

Ways to Teach It

Give pairs picture cards of food, clothing, shelter, toys, and treats to sort onto labeled need and want mats.
Ask, “What would a person need to stay healthy and safe?” and record students’ reasons beside each answer.
Play Four Corners by naming an item while students move to need, want, unsure, or both, then explain their choice.
Use a pretend shopping list with a limited budget and have students choose food, clothing, or shelter items before extras.

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