Needs and Wants

Monday:

Today we’re starting social studies. This unit is called, “World of Work.” Throughout the course of the week, you’ll learn about needs and wants, goods and services, and buying, trading, and saving money.

Look closely at the photograph. What are the children holding? Where are they standing? Outside of a toy store. What do you think the children will do with the money? What kinds of things could they buy in the toy store? The children don’t have enough money to buy everything they want and they will have to decide what they want the most. What would you buy at a toy store? How would you use the items?

“Everything costs money, nothing is free today; so save your dimes and pennies- You always have to pay. This poem tells about a girl who wants to buy something with the money she saved. Do you think she made good choices? What do you think she bought? I’m going to read the poem again and this time I want you to join in and read the words with me. Imagine you have $5. What are some choices you have for what to do with your money? What will you decide to do with your money? Why?

We’re going to read from our big book about needs and wants. READ Let’s do some quick review. What are two needs that families have? Why do families have to make choices about ways to spend money?

How many of you have read the “Pigeon” books by Mo Williems. Today we are going to read, “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus.” As I read be thinking about the pigeons want. READ. What does the want? He wants to drive a bus. Right, he wants to drive a bus but he doesn’t need to. I have a 3 other Pigeon books. What does the Pigeon want? Right, the pigeon wants a puppy but he doesn’t need one. Hotdogs, staying up late, a puppy, and driving a bus are the Pigeon’s wants. Let’s talk about the Pigeon’s needs. What does he need to live? The Pigeon actually needs the same things we do to live: Shelter, water, air, and food.

Repeat after me, “I can identify needs and wants.” Let’s take 5 minutes to brainstorm a list of our wants and needs. Wants are things we would like to have. Turn and talk with your partner, what are your wants? Needs are things we must have to live. Turn and talk with your partner, what are our needs?

I have a sorting activity for us. There are pictures and your job is to tell me if it’s a need or a want. Nice job! Repeat after me, “I can identify needs and wants.” Please turn towards the SmartBoard for a video on needs and wants. 

Tuesday:

Yesterday, we learned about needs and wants. What is a need? Something you have to have to survive- food, shelter, and clothing. What is a want? Something you would like to have- TV, toys, and candy. Today, I was going to read, “The Berenstain Bears Get the Gimmies” but instead, we are going to watch a video and listen to the story on Youtube. As we watch the video I have a job for you. I want you to create a list in your head of Brother and Sister Bear’s wants. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcveGa829eo

In the story, “The Berenstain Bears Get the Gimmies” you learned that people often want much more than they need. As a result, people must make choices about what they truly need and what they can afford. For example, should someone buy pet food and groceries or buy a new video game? Why? Over the next week, you’ll learn to buy what you need before what you want just like the Berenstain Bears. They bought the grocery items on their list instead of candy, junk food, and toys. 

Wednesday:

We have been learning about wants and needs. What is a need? Something you have to have to survive- food, shelter, and clothing. What is a want? Something you would like to have- TV, toys, and candy. I have a song about needs and wants that I would like to teach you.

Today, we are going to create a class book about needs and tomorrow, we will create a class book on wants.