📖

What Do We Want?

Needs and Wants

Day 137of 180
Week 28of 36
20Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand the difference between wants and needs

2

Identify examples of wants

3

Recognize that wants are not essential for survival

📖 Scripture Connection

Philippians 4:19

“My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

— Philippians 4:19 (WEB)

God provides what we truly need

📦 Materials Needed

  • Picture cards
  • Whiteboard
  • Markers
  • Want/Need sorting mat
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Gather students in a circle. Ask them to share something they really want but don't need.

💭 Review Question: What's something you want but could live without?
2Teaching (7 min)

Explain wants are things that make us happy but aren't necessary for survival. Unlike needs, wants are extras that make life fun but aren't essential.

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Wants are things that make us smile
  • Wants are different from needs
  • We can be happy without wants
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • What's a toy you want?
  • Do you need that toy to live?
  • How is a want different from a need?
3Activity: Want Wall (6 min)
hands-on sorting

Create a poster dividing wants from needs

📝 Instructions:
  1. Draw a line down the middle of a poster
  2. Label one side 'Wants'
  3. Label other side 'Needs'
  4. Glue pictures in correct columns
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Pre-cut pictures for sorting

Challenge: Students draw their own want/need items

4Closing (2 min)

Recap the difference between wants and needs

📝 Review Questions:
  • What's a want?
  • Are wants bad?
  • What's most important?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear Jesus, help us be thankful for what we have and understand the difference between wants and needs.

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll learn how to sort wants and needs!

💎 Memory Verse

Philippians 4:19

“My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

— Philippians 4:19 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Whisper verse while passing a soft toy

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Understanding economic concepts of wants vs needs helps children develop financial literacy

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Use concrete examples
  • Be patient with abstract concepts
  • Encourage critical thinking
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might confuse wants with needs initially

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Ability to distinguish between essential and non-essential items

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Create a wants/needs journal
  • Play 'Guess the Want or Need' game
  • Make a gratitude list of both wants and needs

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 138 →Back to History & Social Studies