What Do You Want?: Teaching Economics in Pre-K with Wants and Needs Graphic Organizers

Why bring up the subject of economics to pre-k students when its a tough subject for even college scholars to comprehend? I’ll tell you why! Children need to understand that we all have basic needs: water, food, shelter and a never-ending list of wants: pretty clothes, the latest electronic gizmos, and the newest toys on the market. Teachers too of course! 

In this simple activity based on the wants and needs of babies, students will be able to identify basic wants and needs after a short description of the definitions of the words. 

The following worksheet was found at Teacherspayteachers.com. This is a fantastic website which is free to join. There are many free worksheets, patterns and lessons that can send a teacher into planning euphoria. 

The creator of the worksheet is Christine Fotia and is titled Wants and Needs Graphic Organizers. Without her ingenuity, this lesson would have taken eons to create! Thanks, Christine. 

Subject: Social Studies (Economics): Understanding the wants and needs of babies through an organizational chart. 

How to Make: Join for free at Teacherspayteachers.com in order to get this fabulous worksheet. Cut the worksheets to the size of an 8 1/2 by 11 sheet of construction paper leaving a small border around the worksheet. Glue the wants and needs worksheets onto two separate sheets of construction paper. Place pages vertically in a large laminating sheet or use contact paper for greater durability. Find clip art of basic needs and wants of babies as shown in the photos below. These can be laminated or placed in contact paper for greater durability also. 

To Play: The teacher describes the differences between wants and needs. A want is something that we would like to have and a need is something that we cannot live without. See if your students can name a few wants/needs before continuing the lesson. Place the wants and needs graphic organizer worksheets in the middle of your circle. Show one of the clip art photos to your students and ask them if it is a want or need. After they have answered the question correctly, place the clip art on the correct worksheet (want or needs). Continue until both graphic organizer worksheets have been completed.