Virginia SOL K.8.b
The Standard
recognizing that Americans are free to make choices about what to buy and that they must make choices because they cannot have everything they want
Virginia Standards of Learning for History and Social Science
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students choose between items when they do not have enough money or resources for everything. They explain what they chose and what they gave up.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can select one item from several options with a set amount of play money. The student can name the item not chosen and explain why both could not be taken.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think people can always buy everything they want. They may also confuse wants with needs or think making one choice does not mean giving up another option.
How to Assess It
- Give each student three play dollars and pictures of two toys costing three dollars each. Ask, “Which will you buy, and what must you give up?”
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Set up a class store with play money, price tags, and small objects, then have students choose what they can afford.
Ask students to draw two things they want, circle one choice, and explain why they cannot have both.
Play Choice Corners by naming two treats or activities and having students move to one corner, then state what they gave up.
Look at a grocery flyer and give pairs five play dollars to choose one snack they can afford for a class picnic.
Keep exploring
Related Standards
- 3.10.c
recognizing that because people and regions cannot produce everything they want, they specialize in what they do best and trade for the rest; and
- 1.8.e
describing why people must make choices, prioritizing needs over wants
- CE.11.a
explaining that because of scarcity, consumers, producers, and governments must make economic choices, and understanding that all choices have an opportunity co...
- 2.13.d
explaining that scarcity (having limited resources) requires people to make choices about producing and consuming goods and services.
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