Texas TEKS K.5.B

Social StudiesKindergartenEconomics

The Standard

explain the difference between needs and wants

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Social Studies

Teacher's field guide

What This Standard Means

What Students Need to Do

Students identify things people must have to live safely and things people would simply like to have. They sort familiar examples and explain each choice with a simple reason.

What Mastery Looks Like

A student can correctly sort pictures of water, shelter, clothing, toys, and treats. The student can say why water is needed and why a toy is wanted.

Common Misconceptions

Students may call every favorite item a need. They may think useful or expensive items are always needs, or that all inexpensive items are wants.

How to Assess It

Give each student picture cards showing water, a home, a toy, and stickers. Ask students to sort the cards and explain one choice aloud.

Lesson moves

Ways to Teach It

  1. Place object cards into hoops labeled Need and Want, then have pairs sort and explain each choice.

  2. Ask, “What would you pack if you could take only five things to live safely?”

  3. Play a corner game where students move to Need or Want after hearing an item named.

  4. Give students a grocery ad and pretend money, then have them choose needed items before selecting one wanted item.

Keep exploring

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