Virginia SOL 2.13.b

Social Studies2nd Grade

The Standard

distinguishing between needs and wants

Virginia Standards of Learning for History and Social Science

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students identify things people must have to stay healthy and safe, such as food, water, clothing, and shelter. They separate these from things people enjoy but can live without.
What Mastery Looks Like: Students correctly sort familiar items as needs or wants. They explain each choice with a clear reason and recognize that circumstances can affect how an item is classified.
Common Misconceptions: Students may call every item they like a need. They may also think all food, clothing, or technology counts as a need, without considering the specific item or situation.
How to Assess It: Give students six picture cards: water, house, coat, toy, candy, and bicycle. Ask them to sort the cards and explain one choice from each group.

Lesson moves

Place picture cards in two labeled hoops, then ask pairs to explain where they placed each item.
Ask students to write about one thing they need each day and one thing they want, giving a reason for each.
Play Four Corners with signs for need, want, both, and unsure, then read items aloud for students to classify.
Give groups a pretend $20 budget and store flyers, then have them choose purchases for a family preparing for a snowstorm.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 2.13.b, 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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