Tess Trawick

EDCI 554

Lesson One: Needs and Wants
Sub-Question: Whats the difference between a need and a want?
Objective: Students will be able to list examples of needs and wants.

History SOL 1.8 The student will explain that people make choices because they cannot have
everything they want.
English SOL 1.1 The student will continue to demonstrate growth in the use of oral language. c)
Participate in a variety of oral language activities, including choral speaking and
reciting short poems, rhymes, songs, and stories with repeated patterns.
Music SOL 1.2 The student will demonstrate various uses of the voice, including (2.) using the
voice in speech and song
Music SOL 1.3 The student will sing a variety of songs alone and with others, including (1.)
matching pitches, using the head voice

Materials
Alexander Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday
Discussion questions
Wants and Needs sorting cards
SmartBoard

Procedures
1. Ask students about a time they wanted to buy something. Allow them to turn and talk with
a partner then have a few share with the class (LINK). (interpersonal)
2. Read aloud the book Alexander Who Used To Be Rich Last Sunday. Follow the reading with
the attached discussion questions. (verbal-linguistic, auditory)
3. Explain the sorting activity. Have 10-20 pictures of various wants (video games, ice
cream, etc.) and needs (food, clothing, etc.) printed out on cards and laminated (one set
per table group). Have students sort the pictures in a way that makes sense to them (dont
tell them to sort by wants and needs just yet). Then have each table share with the class
explain how they organized their cards. Finally, show students that one way they could
have organized is by wants and needsthings we have to have to survive verses those
wed like to have. (kinesthetic, visual-spatial, logical-mathematical)
4. Gather students on the carpet. Teach students the Wants and Needs songs (to the tune of
The Wheels on the Bus). First, have them echo you after each line. Then, sing it all
together as a class a couple times. Display the lyrics on the SmartBoard and follow along
with a pointer. (auditory-musical)

5. Send students back to their seats to re-sort their cards into Needs and Wants. Walk
around the room using a checklist to assess student understanding.



Needs are things we all must have, all must have, all must have, Needs are things
we all must have, a __________ is a need (students fill in blank with a need, such
as air, food, water, shelter, or clothing).

Wants are things wed like to have, like to have, like to have, Wants are things
wed like to have, a _______ is a want (students fill in blank with a want, such as
video games or candy).
Extensions
Have each student draw a picture of a need and a want. Use the sentence stems: I need
_______ because ____. I want ________ because __________.

Assessment
The sorting activity will assess understanding of needs vs. wants (formative).

Differentiation
Divide students into heterogeneous groups based on reading ability.
Display lyrics on the SmartBoard for on/ above grade level readers to follow along.
Cards will have pictures and labels for ESOL/ below grade level readers.
Various levels of questioning were used to engage students of all abilities. Advanced students
were challenged with higher level thinking questions.
Turn and talk was utilized to offer all students a chance to share their thinking.

Technology Integration
Lyrics displayed on the SmartBoard