Unit Plan 28 (Grade 2 Social Studies): Needs and Wants

Focus: Help students distinguish between needs and wants and understand that resources are limited, so people must make choices.

Grade Level: 2

Subject Area: Social Studies (Economics • Personal Finance Basics)

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 30–45 minutes per session

I. Introduction

In this unit, students explore the difference between needs (things we must have to live and stay safe) and wants (things we would like to have). Through stories, picture sorts, and classroom “store” games, they learn that resources are limited, so families, classrooms, and communities must make choices. Students practice explaining their choices, deciding what is most important, and noticing that we cannot have everything at once. By the end of the unit, they create a simple Needs and Wants Choice Chart to show how they would spend limited “class money” or tokens and explain why.

Essential Questions

• What is the difference between a need and a want?
• Why can’t people always get everything they want?
• How do limited resources make us choose between different needs and wants?
• How can we make fair and smart choices when we have to decide between items?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Define and give examples of needs (food, water, shelter, clothing, safety) and wants (toys, treats, extra things).
2. Sort pictures and situations into needs vs. wants and explain why each belongs in that category.
3. Explain that money, time, and materials are limited resources, so people must make choices.
4. Participate in a simple class “store” activity, choosing between two or more items and justifying their choice.
5. Create a Needs and Wants Choice Chart that shows how they would use limited tokens and explains at least one choice in words or pictures.

Standards Alignment — 2nd Grade (C3-based custom)

• 2.C3.Econ.1 — Explain needs vs. wants and the idea of limited resources.
  • Example: Choose between two items at a class “store” and justify the choice.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can tell the difference between a need and a want.
• I can look at a picture or story and say if it shows a need or a want, and explain why.
• I can explain that we have limited resources (like money, time, and supplies), so we must choose.
• I can choose between two things at a class “store” and explain my choice.
• I can make a chart or drawing that shows how I would use limited tokens for needs and wants.